We're planning a 4-day trip to LA on our return from Australia the end of April. We're looking for "must-see" sightseeing suggestions for first-time visitors to that area, as well as suggestions for places to stay so that we could also incorporate the Reagan library in our itinerary.

The Reagan Library is a "must-see"???

I live here and have never wanted to see it. If you think that's interesting you can also check out Richard Nixon's birthplace in Yorba Linda and his western White House in San Clemente I guess.

The Reagan Library is definitley worth a visit. We went last summer and really enjoyed it! You can take a walk through Air Force One. Also, there is an interesting exhibit on Nancy Reagan.
It is about 40 miles outside of LA. You could stay in Ventura.

While I have not been to the Reagan Library, I cannot imagine anything more intriguing than the Nixon Library. I'm not particularly a Nixon fan, but the library is incredible. It gives so much insight into his immediate family and the political celebrities of the day. A correspondence scrapbook contains a thank you note from Jackie Kennedy for his attention at the time of JFK's death. There is an exhibit about John McCain and his prisoner of war tenure. The exhibit I enjoyed most was one showing his interchange with his speech writers for the speech where he coined the phrase 'the silent majority.' Plus the home where he grew up as well as his burial site is on the grounds. Visiting the library was just as experience that I treasure.

I did the Nixon and Reagan in the same day and the difference is palpable. While the Reagan museum seemed to have tons of patriotic pictures etc. the Nixon library had better exhibits. I grew up around the LBJ library and I have to say of the three presidential libraries the Reagan one was the less substantive of the three. This was 3 years ago and I have yet to go back for the Air Force One tour.

Forgive me for saying so but there is nothing of interest up in Simi Valley other than the library...so you should make it a day trip.

HotelAngeleno.com is a nice place to stay, near UCLA...quick hop to the Getty (www.getty.edu, another must-visit place). You're close to Beverly Hills and Bel Air, a short ride to Malibu or Santa Monica....and easy drive to Hollywood or Universal Studios, and an easy hop onto the freeway for your drive to the Reagan Library. Freeway driving is easier on Sat and Sun, or after 10am/before 4pm/after 8pm.

The Nixon library also has a very interesting take on Watergate....! and its near the Crystal Cathedral, another strange piece of Americana..

The Reagan library is located in Simi Valley - not exactly a hotbed of tourist interest, so I doubt you would be interested in staying anywhere close. However, the library is easy enough to do as a day trip from either LA or Orange counties, especially if you visit mid week.

Not sure if your interest is in presidential libraries or in President Reagan. If the interest is in libraries, I would have to agree with those who state the Nixon library is a far more interesting one to visit. The exhibits are better - from Nixon's time as Senator, VP, and President to special exhibits the library puts on - the gardens are lovely, there is the original house where Nixon was born (and, yes visitors can walk through!), and they now have Marine One - the presidential helicoptor for visitors to explore.

I was very disappointed with Reagan's library. One would think a two term president and movie actor who has the largest libraries of all the presidents would have something significant. But heh. The most impressive thing for me was Air Force One. But, if your interest is President Reagan, than, yes, this is a good opportunity for you.