The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

I visited the Reagan Library several months ago.
The good: Air Force One, view, and the rotating exhibits.
The Library is located about 1 to 1.5 hours from Downtown Los Angeles.
Along with the docents their are security personnel watching almost your every move.
The price is more expensive than the other two Presidential Libraries I have visited in the last two years.
If you must go, get to the Library EARLY on a non-​holiday weekday.
Presidential Libraries are very visual, showing awards, the Presidents accomplishments, First Ladies famous ball gowns, gifts given to the President from important people.
If you are a strong Reagan admirer this Library will be worth the drive to visit. If not a Reagan admirer I would use my limited vacation time elsewhere.

Took my boyfriend for his birthday as a present to him and as a learning experience. Waited to get checked in and it was a fast smooth process. Parking was easy and the views were breathtaking. We entered and it was an amazing and educational place to be at. Make sure you Take time to come and really take the time to read and walk through everything. It’s 3 hours or more depending how long you want to stay. Had an amazing time and would come back again.

This Presidential library is a place you need to add to your life bucket list! It’s an amazing celebration of the life of Ronald Reagan. Air Force One is definitely the headliner where you can board and tour it. Marine One is majestic to see as well.
There is also a fully furnished Oval Office which looks very authentic recreated to scale with furniture from Reagan’s time. In addition there’s the Berlin Wall complete with holes and tunnels that your kids can crawl through.
There are many memorable quotes and engaging videos summarizing the experiences of Ronald & Nancy Reagan. This includes a stunning look on the time he survived an assination attempt. You can even record your own voice over different acting scripts Reagan had done himself.
Another sit down video pierces into the terrifying look of communism.
Part of the library shows the elements of the secret service. I especially like how they show you the difference between real and counterfeit money using a magnifying glass.
For those into fashion, Nancy’s dresses and gowns are beautiful. You also get to see the type of plates used for presidential dinners.
The staff is very helpful and friendly. Plan to spend 4 – 5 hours to get the full experience. There are great places to eat inside if you get hungry.

Saw a review of this and decided to drop my two cents. The only time i have ever been here was at a prom for a girl i was with so i can only testify to that. But the place was a great place for that. plenty of room and great surroundings for such an event.
so if you want an event like a prom, or a reception or something, then this is a pretty good place to have it.

The Reagan Presidential Library is about as good as it gets for a history buff, or anyone interested in the story and vision behind the man Ronald Reagan.
The museum is very large, and well climate controlled. There are signs directing you through the various exhibits, and there is so much information presented in a variety of ways that it should please almost everybody.
There are enough interactive displays that will appeal to school age children, as well as adults. If you have any questions or need directions, there are plenty of helpful polite docents available to help.
Get there early for a parking spot at one of the upper lots. By the time we left, about 1:30pm there were many cars parked down the drive, which is quite a hike up a steep hill. If you have seniors in your group the driver could drop them off in front, and walk back up. Better to arrive early.
The Air Force One pavilion is quite the sight to see. The entire jet, plus Marine One and presidential limo and Secret Service Van are also in there. Before you board AF! there is a neat display on the duties of the Secret Service. Be prepared for a photog to snap your picture on the way in to AF! and Marine One. If you’re interested in purchasing the photos ($$) do so before you leave the pavilion.
There are displays of clothing worn by President and Mrs. Reagan, as well as other historic artifacts. I though one of the best was the speech notes for the ‘Tear Down this Wall’ speech in Berlin.
There are various times that exhibits use the actual voice recordings of President Reagan which is very effective. The tour begins and ends with short, fine videos.
At the present time there is a Treasures of the Vatican exhibit, which is of interest, particularly to art lovers and those of the Roman Catholic faith.
The gravesites of the Reagans are in an area outside overlooking the rolling hills of Simi Valley.
5 Stars no doubt. You should plan to spend at least 2 hours, and upwards of 4 if you like to read everything.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is a wonderful place to go and spend a day to learn about one of the most influential presidents of our time.
Admission tickets to the museum cost $ 29 for adults, $ 26 for seniors 62+, and are free for kids under 3 years old. You have the option of purchasing tickets there or online. Parking is free. However, I would recommend getting to the library when it opens at 10am for good parking inside their parking lot otherwise the parking lot becomes full quick. This leads the rest of the visitors to park along the sides of presidential drive where shuttles offer free pick up services to and from the library throughout the day. My family and I went on a Saturday around noon and we were just lucky enough to snag a parking spot as one car was backing out.
The library is situated on top of a hill in Simi Valley that overlooks an amazing view for miles all around. When we came to the entrance of the building, a huge banner of Nancy Reagan hung high to honor and commemorate her life with Ronald Reagan. The museum itself did a great job in showcasing Ronald Reagan’s life. From the time when Ronald Reagan was born, to when he became a Hollywood star, to when he became the governor of California, to when he became president of the United States, up to the final days of his life and death. Walking through the exhibits made me realize how much he was adored and admired by so many people up until this day. I was deeply moved more so by the love and admiration Ronald and Nancy had for one another. Hearing their love story through the videos spoken from Ronald to Nancy showed they were truly a match made in heaven. Viewing their gravesite outside the library which overlooks the mountains of Simi was very touching for me and its a memory I will never forget.
Another great experience I will never forget would be walking inside the Airforce One that carried the past presidents with Ronald being one of them. I learned that Ronald Reagan was actually the one president that used the airplane the most during his presidency. Before you enter the plane you get your picture taken by a photographer in front of the entrance waving to the people. You can decide to purchase the photo afterwards if you like. It was insightful getting to see the presidents quarters and different areas in the plane where they would hold meetings and sleep. Note: Can be somewhat claustrophobic to some if you can’t do small spaces.
If you want to know about the Reagans in more detail you can also purchase audio tours at an extra cost in the lobby. The staff are super friendly and very knowledgable. Pictures can be taken when walking through the museum. However flash photography is not allowed. To satisfy your hunger the library offers two places to eat: The café and the pub. The pub is intended more for snacks and coffee whereas the café offers hot meals they can prepare on the grill. Prices are reasonable and food is decent. Not great. The gift shop offers many souvenirs, books, DVDs, and relics of the late president and his wife.
We were also able to view the Vatican splendor exhibit that showcases a journey through faith and art. Many of the artifacts and paintings displayed were beautiful. Being that my parents and I are Catholics we definitely enjoyed reading about the history of the church, saints, popes, and the basilica. Not an exhibit to be missed!
I HIGHLY recommend anyone with an interest in history and American culture to come visit the Ronald Reagan library and museum. I guarantee you will walk away feeling moved and inspired. I certainly did.

Today’s visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library really is the second time we visit there. It is a wonderful drive to get there. You’ve got to do some homework before you get on the road, or have your GPS unit prepped.
We did the first visit a couple of years ago and did the museum with Reagan memories and full size aircraft and we actually saw Nancy Reagan making a visit to Ronald Reagan at that time. Both are now for ever resting in peace together.
This place is a gem located on a hilltop and it is green with grass and lined with trees and walkways edged by flowers. Parking is easy and finding the front entrance is a little walk as you enter a courtyard with a streaming fountain. There is an entrance fee to see all the displays and wander around the beautiful grounds. There is also a Café and of course a gift shop to bring home that special book filled with good natured Ronald Reagan quotes and stories.
We are here today to see a special display from the Vatican. It is the second and final stop in the USA of Vatican Splendors, a journey thru faith and art. It is a historical journey from Roman times until the very present. To learn how the basilica came to be and the fresco of the Sistine Chapel. There are just so much more on display, from golden goblets to processional staff, from mosaics to painted art, from bas relief on marble to tools used in construction.
You can spend a whole day and then some. You can even get a headphone device and follow the narrative by the numbers. This was definitely a worthwhile outing, and if you are not inclined to see art and faith at work, then by all means, be proud and go inside the full scale Air Force One Boeing 707 that Ronald Reagan flew in when he was our President of the United States.

Reagan was a great President.
His library is a great place. I could list so many positive features of this place but you just have to experience it for yourself! His historical legacy has been left behind and felt for generations to come.

My review is regarding the museum and what an interesting day. My coworker and I have planned this trip for several weeks and especially considering the passing of Nancy Reagan. I enjoy all culture and experiences and museums are my favorite and I frequent them often; and was so excited about attending especially since we decided to view the Vatican exhibit that also included lunch.
I phoned the museum and left a RSVP for the luncheon. I then went online to buy my tix and it would not process and this went on for several days and I called the museum and left numerous messages but due to Mrs. Reagan’s passing, the museum was closed for a week.
The following week, I left yet another message and someone called me back and I expressed my frustration with attempting to buy a ticket online. She politely apologized and explained that the event was not sold out, not to worry and to bring a check instead; my coworker and I take the drive from Los Angeles today and arrive, I gave my name and was told that it was not on the list and that the event was sold out. I was shocked and explained to the hostess what I had endured and all she wanted was the name of the person I spoke with. Sadly, I did not have the name of the individual and the hostess, with the personality of a wet rag drying, made not one attempt to accommodate me and it was most embarrassing, I stepped out of line and told my coworker to have a great time.
Since I rode with my coworker and did not want to sit around for FIVE hours, I called a cab and asked to be dropped off at the train station and returned to my fair city. I am so grateful that L.A. has beautiful museums as well, one of them being The Broad which I visited in October and will be returning.
As for the Reagan museum, I will just enjoy the pictures on their website as I have no desire to frequent any company that offers poor customer service and does not desire my business !!!

Beautiful hilltop location, building, and peaceful grounds. The experience was extremely educational, enlightening, and interesting. A great reason to visit Simi Valley. Well done.
They recommend purchasing tickets in advance online to guarantee the day and time of your visit, Because they are timed-​tickets, gallery entry times will be subject to availability. General admission $ 29.

We went to the Ronald Reagan Library out in Simi Valley, it’s about 1hr drive in the middle of nowhere if you’re in Downtown LA.
There is limited parking in their lots, so most people have to park down the hill. You must know how to Parallel Park, glad B. can do it! They have FREE parking, and FREE Shuttle, remember your Shuttle Stop. Ours was like Shuttle Stop 9.
The Library is $ 29 per person and No AAA discount! So bogus. It should be FREE or way cheaper. They have many galleries and you can get on his Air Force One. Takes about 3−4hrs to see everything.
Don’t miss going outside to see their Burial Site, and the F-​14 Jet near the Peace Garden.
They have a Café but they food doesn’t look good, more Cafeteria style with overpriced food. They have a gift shop too.

After viewing the funeral on tv, we decide to accept the dinner invitation and to pay tribute to Nancy and Ronnie last Saturday evening. The library is beautifully designed and loaded with historical memorabilia.
The Air Force One is the highlight of our visit. It is amazing to see how POTUS operate in the SAM 27 000 airplane in the cold war era.
It is a long drive to Simi Valley but definitely worth the trip.

Absolutely beautiful! We came here for the public viewing of Nancy Reagan’s casket. We really wanted to go and see her.
The visit was ending at 7pm on Thursday and I got off work at 5pm, we didn’t get to the shuttle lot until 6pm and there was a couple hundred people in line at the parking lot where the shuttle picks you up. The presidential library made sure everyone was comfortable as possible, they had huge canopies and a lot of heaters to keep people warm at night time.
They had everything organized perfectly. We got on the shuttle about 6:50pm.
We then get to the presidential library and when we stepped off the shuttle, the presidential library staff welcomed us and thank everyone for coming. They guided us to a table where you sign the guest list, they stated it will be given to the family and then will be placed on display in the library as well.
They only allowed a certain amount of visitors inside the room where Nancy Reagan’s casket was.
We then walked inside and saw the beautiful casket with the amazing flowers on top of her casket, there was also 2 local officers from Simi Valley police department and a Ventura county sheriff standing guard next to her casket.
I wanted to say again, this was organized beautifully. I am happy they let the public see her casket before they placed her next to Ronald.
Thank you to the police officers, fire departments, EMT, presidential staff and volunteers for organizing this. This will be a moment to never forget.

NANCY & RONNY, TOGETHER FOREVER!
Mixed emotions overwhelmed me when I heard the news of Nancy’s passing. Sad to know she is no longer with us, happy to know that she is once again with her love, Ronnie. Nancy Reagan said, «There’s a big, wonderful world out there for you. It belongs to you. It’s exciting and stimulating and rewarding. Don’t cheat yourselves out of this promise.» I seized the moment, purchased my discount ticket from Groupon and away Cohort and I went.
A windy road takes visitors high above Simi Valley, where the views of untouched rolling hills and pockets of developed land are far and wide. The free parking area is a good size, although I can’t imagine how horrid parking would be for popular exhibits. The Museum Attendant said for special events/​exhibits, people park as far as the bottom of the hill. Eh, nice little hike to the top, some good elevation.
«You learn something out of everything, and you come to realize more than ever that we’re all here for a certain space of time, and, and then it’s going to be over, and you better make this count.» ~Nancy Reagan. The Reagan Library offers so much through their Permanent Exhibits, extensive Virtual Exhibits, as well as Traveling Exhibits, one needs a superdeeduper sponge to soak it all up.
The library walk through Ronnie’s life, from childbirth till his demise. Pictures, displays, and information throughout the library, of his years in radio and film, his military and political service, and beyond, all the while his love for horses.
Driving East on the 210 Freeway really, really late one night in 2004 a truck with an OVERSIZED load was ahead of me. I couldn’t make out was he was hauling, no matter how hard I blinked or shook my head. I sped up and as I got closer, I realized it was part of an airplane. From what I could tell, it said United States of America. My first thought was, a prop for another «Air Plane» movie. Called the bf and told him I was on the freeway with Air Force One. He believed I was drunk and shouldn’t be driving. Ha!!! Thanks for the bfs morning news and coffee, the reporter confirmed that AFO was delivered to the Reagan Library that day. I will never forget that night on the 210 freeway. Long story short, both AFO and Marine Force One are housed and protected by a motorcade in the pavilion with a view of the rolling green hills of Simi Valley. Visitors can walk through both. Btw, the motorcade is from the Reagan years.
From uncontrollable tears, rolling down my face, to muffled sniveling, to outright blubbering cohort and I solemnly walked through the last days up to the funeral service of Former President Ronald Reagan. The sound of Taps is always difficult to hear, but more so since the passing of my daddy. I think we should have started our library tour here, not ended it. Lesson’s Learned.
ASHES TO ASHES!
Visiting the Reagan Library, a wonderful story of a man’s life, regardless of his ultimate career choice. Each room, like a page from a book is filled with joy, happiness, sorrow, and sadness. In the words of Nancy Reagan, «To my young friends out there: Life can be great, but not when you can’t see it. So, open your eyes to life: to see it in the vivid colors that God gave us as a precious gift to His children, to enjoy life to the fullest, and to make it count. Say yes to your life.»
If you haven’t visited the Reagan Library, «Trust, but verify» (Ronald Reagan) you’ll enjoy it, granted you have some interest in history.

I hated libraries during my schooling so the idea of visiting Reagan’s library museum didn’t sound too appealing but this place was anything but a boring library museum. Loved the short movie clips of Reagan speaking and how simple but solid were his messages. The guides are so kind and helpful here and you don’t find that kind of care anywhere else but for those who love their jobs like these people working here. The place is huge and everything is sparkling clean and beautiful. The friendly family atmosphere makes this a nice outing for the kids. Cool to see the briefcase with the codes to launch nuclear missiles on Air Force One. Kinda puts the perspective on how important you think you are compared to the power the President has to launch nuclear missiles inside his jet.
Nice there are restaurants inside and clean restrooms everywhere. Would like to come back even though I’ve seen it already.

My hubs really wanted to check out the football exhibit and decided to come the second day of the new year. We were so shocked to see how packed the library was at 11 am.
When we were still living in Michigan and visiting my parents, we decided to get the annual pass because there were two libraries in Michigan that we could visit. So if you plan on hitting up this library twice or any other library listed on the pamphlet, it is definitely worth it to get the annual pass.
Since we’re heading back to Michigan, we decided to get the annual pass again, which came out to $ 75.
During our most recent visit, we also had the opportunity to visit the Christmas tree exhibit. Which was basically trees decorated in the different countries President RR had visited.
Since we knew we would be coming back here for a visit within the year, we didn’t spend too much time with any other parts of the library. Mainly because we were on a time crunch and every other area was packed full of people.
One of the things I love about this library is that it sits on top of a mountain that over looks Simi and Moorpark.
The café on the 1^st floor is a bit pricey, but with the membership, you get a discount!

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is truly a marvel of both architectural and historical beauty. The massive sprawling campus has earned the distinction of being the largest Presidential Library campus in the nation, and strolling the grounds, you certainly can see why. Whether you are a Reagan Republican or even a bleeding heart Obama fanboy, the Reagan library is a site to behold, and the artifacts and historical narrative contained therein is so immersive and detailed that one can easily get lost for hours in the entire experience.
I had wanted to visit the site for many years, but never got the chance to venture out to the Simi Valley hilltop until today. Previously, I had only been able to visit the Nixon Library and Birthplace located in Yorba Linda. This Library is significantly larger and even contains the full blown Air Force One aircraft that President Reagan flew during his two terms (and yes, you get to go inside it and check it out!).
The Library comes at a cost of $ 16 for adults and $ 9 for children, with various other discounts available, however we opted for the family membership, which includes unlimited access for a family of 4 plus access to all other Presidential Libraries in the nation (including the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda). In addition to the unlimited access, you also get a free audio tour, free wall calendar, a discount I the restaurants and the gift shop, and a tax deduction. Well worth the $ 97 price tag (and the membership is good for any 4 party family so long as the primary member is there).
My family and I spent over 3 hours exploring the Library and dropped a good amount in the gift shop, spending over $ 50 and getting a colorful Ronald Reagan tote as a free gift.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is truly a must see attraction in Southern California.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect at the library. I’m not a «political» person and I’m definitely lacking in the times dates places of history. It was a beautiful fall day and there was plenty of parking (free) and not a lot of field trip buses. The museum has a great layout and seeing air force one was a highlight. The docents were very knowledgeable and I learned a few things. My only complaint was the pressure at the front door to upgrade from general admission to a year pass with access to other presidential libraries.
We sat and had lunch from the country café overlooking the valley. it was great.

Getting a tour of Air Force One? and seeing that it’s still wayyyy more advanced than our regular Boeing 737?!? It’s quite shocking how far technology had already advanced back in the day, we just didn’t have access.
Great views of the valley and night sky, and the tour for the library was very entertaining, with the replica of the Berlin Wall, and the Oval Office!
Had a company dinner at this location so it was after hours and they had the dinner area set up underneath the Air Force One so it was really nicely done.
Didn’t get to check out the real piece of the Berlin Wall, but apparently it’s outside in the rose gardens somewhere? Luckily I have actually been to the real Berlin wall, otherwise I would’ve been upset at missing this!

This is a nice presidential library. So far I have to LBJ’s, Clinton’s and both Bushes. I would say this one is one of the better ones but two things stand out here. First it has a B707 that was AF One inside in a pavilion that lets you walk through the plane. To have the plane inside is quite impressive. What makes this library really stand out it is the land that it is built on. Simi Valley is incredibly beautiful in the hills of this area. It must be prime real estate. The library building is pure Spanish western design and attractive. The views from the library are memorable.
I took 2 hours to go through it and I rushed. I can see spending 3 hours easily going through it. They have a pub and a café indoors.
Come here and you will be glad you did.