Santa Susana

#28 Snow Fest Rancho Santa Susana Park 365 Things to do in Simi Valley

This is the second year the Rancho Simi Parks and Recreation Department puts on this Free event at Rancho Santa Susana Park. Simi Valley Snow Fest has become very popular as one of the hills in the park is covered with snow, and a flat patch of snow is put out for the preschool age children. Snow Fest, from what I understand was originally an Arts Festival that needed renewed interest and an attraction bring people down for the day. Southern California’s especially Simi Valley residents have to travel to see snow until now. Even though there is a line and little bit a of a wait to sled down a short hill, families are eager to participate. The snow play is not the only thing to do as Snow Fest has entertainment, vendor booths, Food and a kids play area.

#3 Santa Susana Train Depot & Museum 365 Things to do in Simi Valley

(Video Below) The Santa Susana Train Depot & Museum is a major historical landmark for Simi Valley. Constructed by Southern Pacific Railroad in 1903, this was a typical design used for a Southern Pacific railway station with living quarters for the station operator upstairs. Until the spring of 1904 all trains traveling to Los Angeles had to go west out of Simi Valley and then be transferred onto the line that would go out through Santa Paula into the Saugus Newhall area. The Construction of the tunnel through the Santa Susana Mountains in the Chatsworth began in 1900 and was not completed until the spring of 1904.

The Santa Susana Train Depot was originally located at Tapo Street and Los Angeles Ave. The Depot served passengers and freight and also was a communication hub for the community with telegraph and telegram service. The Santa Susana Train Depot remained in service until 1963 and in 1973 was sold to the Rancho Santa Susana Park District for one dollar. In 1974 the depot was moved at a cost of $70,000 to the east end of Simi Valley. The Depot sat to the location at Katherine for close to 10 years before any renovation was done to the building. The structure suffered from vandalism, graffiti and fire.

The renovations took place from 1983 ending in 1996 with its opening to the public. The station now serves as a museum. The ticket house and office resembles a scene from 1930s. A section the main structure is operated by the Santa Susana Railroad Historical Society which maintains an HO scale model train which resembles the Simi Valley area during the 1950s. The SSRHS operates trains on weekends for the public. Private tours are available. The back end of the structure is large open area which can be rented for meetings or groups. The building is well-maintained by the Rancho Simi Foundation and volunteers. It is one of the few remaining original structures of its kind. This is a great educational outing for the entire family. The station house has many buttons to push that operate signals, the telegraph and telegram machines; lots of fun for kids of any age (even us older ones) and definitely a must see for Simi Valley.

For information on times, location and events please visit

Rancho Simi Foundation

Santa Susana Railroad Historical Society

Video Blog: Simi Valley Real Estate. Custom Yard Sign Creates more Exposure for Sellers

Creating better exposure for homes in rural areas. This home in the Santa Susana Mountains gets the first crack at a new idea. Custom Yard signs maybe the ticket for better exposure. The primary source to search for new homes by buyers is the internet; the second source is driving neighborhoods. Custom signs that feature your property and not your agent will stop cars and turn heads.