The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
Perched atop a hill with sweeping views of the southland, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is one of California’s most beautiful and unique destinations. Open since 1991, but wholly renovated in 2011, the museum’s galleries were designed to bring history to life. Where else in California can visitors walk on board an actual Air Force One aircraft that flew seven U.S. presidents, touch an authentic piece of the Berlin Wall, or lay a hand on a real steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center after 9/11?
Visitors can immerse themselves in Ronald Reagan’s path to the White House. Starting back in his days as a sports radio announcer through his years as a Warner Brothers movie actor and then the host of GE Theater, visitors can step into his shoes through the use of green screen technology and call a Cubs game, introduce a GE Theater, and even act in a movie! They can follow President Reagan to the White House and deliver the presidential inauguration through the use of a teleprompter and travel the world on diplomatic missions on board Air Force One. They can explore the White House Oval Office and the White House East Wing.
Visitors may also enjoy the library’s outdoor grounds, where they can stroll through a replica of the White House Rose Garden or the White House West Lawn, or pay respects at President and Mrs. Reagan’s Memorial Site. In the past few years, this outdoor area has been expanded to highlight President Reagan’s Peace Through Strength initiatives. They can view an F-14 Fighter Jet, a F-117 Stealth Fighter Jet, and an Abrams M1 Main Battle Tank.
The Reagan Library is also home to two restaurants, Reagan’s Bistro & Bar and The Ronald Reagan Pub.
Open now through January 9, 2022, our 11,000-square-foot exhibit, FBI: From Al Capone to Al Qaeda, covers the history of the storied agency from inception to its modern day efforts to fight domestic terrorism in the United States. This is the first time that many of these remarkable, historical artifacts and criminal evidence have been on public display together, including the car Bonnie & Clyde were killed in, the original Manifesto written by The Unabomber (Ted Kaczynski) that ultimately led to his capture and arrest, the actual raft and paddles used in the infamous Alcatraz Escape, and so much more. For more information on the exhibit, please visit reaganlibrary.com/fbi.
From mid-November through January 9, 2022, visitors can enjoy our Christmas Around the World exhibit, which includes 26 exquisitely decorated trees representing the 26 countries that President Reagan visited while in office, as well as a White House tree. Decorations encompass the bright and festive colors of the Caribbean, the crystals of the Nordic countries, and the traditional decorations of England and Europe. Of particular note is the Vatican tree decorated entirely with white ornaments featuring a life-size white peacock that adorns the tree’s branches. The featured tree is an elegant reproduction of President and Mrs. Reagan’s White House tree complete with “Reagan Red” decorations and dozens of hand-blown glass ornaments. Also on display will be a collection of beautiful hand-crafted menorahs that were given to President Reagan while in the White House.
From Air Force One and historical photos and video to interactive games and exquisite landscaped grounds, the Reagan Library is sure to be a fun, entertaining, and educational experience for everyone, of every age, in your group. In addition, the Reagan Library features many world-class traveling exhibits. It is always best to go on the library’s website (reaganlibrary.com) or call 800.410.8354 to see what exhibits may be open for touring during your visit.
The Reagan Library is open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed only on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Groups of 25 or more receive a group discount. For a complete list of museum admission pricing, please visit reaganlibrary.com.