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Real Estate & Homes in Simi Valley - Simi Valley Information
Simi Valley
Simi Valley History
Simi Valley's history can be divided into four main eras: the Chumash Period, the Spanish Period, the Pioneer Period and the modern era. The Chumash tribe was prevalent in Southern California communities roughly between 2,000 BC or earlier and the early-1800s. They were hunters and gatherers, superior boat makers and skilled in basketry. Some historians believe that the name Simi derives from the Chumash word "Shimiji," which means little white clouds. Spanish explorers came to the region in the 1500s. They considered the Chumash people to be very advanced, relative to other tribes they had discovered. Once Spanish settlement began at the end of the 18th century, however, the Chumash people quickly faded away. The first Spanish land grant in what is now known as Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties was El Rancho Simi. The grant was given to the Pico family in 1795, at about the same times the historic Simi Adobe, still standing today, was built. The grant totaled 113,000 acres and was one of the largest in California history. Once Mexico received its independence from Spain, the rancho was broken up and ownership passed through many hands.
American farmers began to crop up in the area in the second half of the 19th century. They made their living by raising sheep, cattle and/or grains. In the 1880s, a company called Simi Land and Water was formed and began promoting real estate sales in the area. Advertisements were circulated in the Eastern states and cities, and an elaborate hotel was built to house potential property investors. Small settlements began to establish themselves. One was called Simiopolis briefly before the name was changed to Simi. Another was the town of Santa Susana, which grew around a newly built Southern Pacific Railroad depot. In the 1930s, a man named Ray "Crash" Corrigan bought 1,500 acres of land in Simi Valley and turned it into a movie set for westerns. The set, called Corriganville, was also open to the public as a themed amusement park. By 1953, Corriganville was considered one of the top attractions in the country. By the late 1960s, Simi Valley had grown substantially, reaching a population of roughly 50,000. Residents voted to incorporate the valley on October 10, 1969. Simi Valley came into the forefront of American media when the California Court of Appeals selected the city as the location for the trial of four LAPD officers accused of using unnecessary force in the arrest of Rodney King. The trial ended in an acquittal of the officers, sparking the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
About Simi Valley
Simi Valley is ranked as one of the safest cities of its size in the country. Low crime, good housing values and great accessibility make the city a popular choice for home seekers. Simi is a family-oriented community, where school functions and youth sports take precedence in the household. Simi Valley's central Southern California location and transportation infrastructure has attracted business activity as well as residents who commute. A Metrolink Commuter rail line runs from Simi Valley to downtown Los Angeles, with stops in the San Fernando Valley. Amtrak also has trains running to Los Angeles, Orange and Santa Barbara Counties. Industrial activity in Simi Valley is concentrated in machinery and tools manufacturing and metal works. Most of these businesses are located in two areas of the city, one on the east side and one on the west. The remainder of Simi Valley consists of residential neighborhoods, outdoor shopping centers, parks and undeveloped hillsides. Neighborhoods vary in style and values. Home seekers will find executive homes, equestrian properties, midrange family homes, quaint starters, condominiums and townhouses. Prices for detached, single-family homes range from $500,000 up to about $2 million. Condos and townhouses are priced between $300,000 and $600,000. State Route 118 runs roughly through the center of Simi Valley, bisecting the city from east to west. Much of Simi's retail activity is concentrated between the 118 and Los Angeles Avenue, which runs parallel to the freeway on the south side. This central portion of the valley is the most developed part of the city; as you move out towards the foothills on the north and south, homes and lots become larger and more spread out.
Activities
As a city with over 100,000 people, Simi Valley is established enough to offer a pleasant range of recreational activities. The city's 39 square miles are dotted with more than 25 parks, camping and picnic sites. Simi Valley also has one of the largest equestrian trail systems in the region, plus bike paths and walking trails. Three community parks, ranging up to 60 acres in size, provide plenty of open space for field sports, parties and other special activities. The two public golf courses are Simi Hills Golf Course and Sinaloa Golf Course. Wood Ranch Golf Club is a private, par-72 facility with a driving range, putting and chipping greens, practice bunkers, plus casual and fine dining in the clubhouse. The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center is the local venue for performing arts. Located in a historic church that was constructed in the 1920s, the Arts Center is an intimate setting where visitors can enjoy artistic performances of all types: plays, musicals, children's concerts, dance and more. Other sites to see include Corriganville Park and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. Corriganville Park is the site of what's left of the Corrigan Movie Ranch; the movie sets were destroyed by fire, leaving only the foundations, and much of the acreage was sold off to various investors. Today, the city manages 250 acres of the site and it is used primarily for hiking and exploring. The Reagan Library is one of the city's biggest attractions, drawing in hundreds of thousands of visitors since it’s opening in 1991. The museum documents Reagan's career as an actor and politician. Shopping is available at smaller, outdoor complexes throughout the city. A large, modern shopping mall, called the Simi Valley Town Center, has just been built. The Town Center is anchored by two departments’ stores and includes apartment living on the outskirts of the complex. Simi Valley is about 30 miles from the beaches of Malibu and 40 miles from the nightlife and cultural opportunities of Los Angeles.
Schools
Simi Valley has its own school district, which serves approximately 22,000 students. Simi Valley Unified is comprised of 29 campuses: 21 elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools, one continuation high school and one alternative school. Several institutions also provide private schooling programs through the eighth grade. For college-level education, prospective students may choose from several options nearby. Moorpark College in Moorpark and College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita are both community colleges; each is within 20 miles. California Lutheran University, a private liberal arts school, is located in Thousand Oaks, just to the west of Simi Valley. Further west is Pepperdine University, also a private school, located in Malibu.
Simi Valley Fast Facts
Location: Simi Valley is located in southeastern Ventura County, bordered by the Santa Susana Mountains, Thousand Oaks and Moorpark. State Route 118 provides access to Interstate 405 and U.S. Route 101 (via State Route 23). Simi Valley is 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 65 miles southeast of Santa Barbara.
Total area*: 39.2 square miles
Population*: 111,351
Housing units*: 37,272
Average annual rainfall: 18.1 inches
Average temperatures: summer, 73; winter, 56
*Information provided by 2000 Census
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