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Chapter 8 – Simi Valley Transportation

Horses

Once, the only way into Simi Valley was through the Santa Susana Pass on the old Stagecoach Road.

Built in 1861, the Stagecoach Road linked Los Angeles and San Francisco. The part of the road

pictured below is called the “Devil’s Slide.” It was so dangerous, many passengers chose to walk

through this part of the journey.

The Stagecoach Road today (winding around the mountain on the right)

Buggies

By the 1890’s, a better road was cut through the Santa Susana Pass. It would remain the only

road to Los Angeles from Simi Valley until the Ronald Reagan Freeway (Highway 118) was

routed through the pass to DeSoto Avenue in the San Fernando Valley in 1971. The Santa

Susana Pass Road (pictured below) is still a good alternate route to Los Angeles when the

118 is jammed with traffic in the morning.

Trains

In 1904, the Southern Pacific Railroad blasted a series of tunnels under the rocky mountains

separating Simi Valley from the San Fernando Valley, bringing the area its first rail service.

The line is still in use today by Union Pacific Railroad to haul freight along the West Coast

and by Amtrak and Metrorail for passenger/commuter travel.

Planes

Seriously! Quite a few private pilots flew out of the Santa Susana Airport up until its closure

sometime in the 1980’s. Today the airport grounds are used as a business park, but one

street sign still testifies to the property’s original use.

Automobiles

Although lots of people found Simi Valley before the Ronald Reagan/Simi Valley Freeway was finished,

State Route 118 has definitely made Simi Valley the suburban “edge city” it has become. The freeway

jams up in both directions during the morning rush hour as workers commute between Simi Valley and

surrounding suburbs where they work. The lucky few get to take the train to downtown LA. These pictures

were taken on the weekend.

SR 118 Ronald Reagan/Simi Valley Freeway entering Simi Valley from the L.A./Ventura County line.

118 Freeway into Los Angeles County.

The 118 Freeway has become so overburdened that the State is widening it to the full width of its

easement.

You can also take the bus!

Simi Valley Transit Department Bus

Sources:

“Abandoned and Little Known Airfields: California – San Fernando Area.” February 7, 2007

Simi Valley Historical Society and Museum. “Simi Valley: A Journey Through Time.” March 29, 2007.