Simi Valley lies in Southeast Ventura County roughly 27 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. As of December 2005, the city had a total population of 126,329, making it the 3rd largest city in Ventura County. It was incorporated during 1969 and has a total area of forty two square miles.
It is believed that the cities name first originated from the Chumash Indian Village Himeji. Originally, the city was divided into two cities: Tapo and Simi. The Indians who settled within the city were really clever. They used the acorns from the Coast Live Oak (the official tree of the city) and the rosehips from the California Wild Rose (the cities official flower) to be able to help supplement their diet.
In the year 1795, amongst the biggest land grants in history was made to Simi Valley City. Land totaling around 100 000 acres was granted to Santiago Pico and Luis Pena by Governor Diego de Borica of Spanish California. The area was referred to as El Rancho San Jose de Garcia de Simi.
In Simi Valley, there are two main businesses located on opposite sides of the city. Located in the east is the machinery and tools trade, which consists of a total of sixty nine companies. The metal business is in the west and has a total of fifty one firms. various businesses which are littered all over the cities industrial sectors are Food, Lumber/Wood, Apparel/Textile, Minerals and Plastic Materials.
Ever since the mid 1990's, the biggest division of the Bank of America (Formally the Countrywide Home Loans) has been headquartered within Simi Valley. The company has three main buildings all over the city. One is situated in a building just off Madera Road, that was once home to Bugle Boy, an apparel business. The second is located on Tapo Canyon, and the other is situated on First Street.
During 2006, The Volkswagen of America Design centre moved from Simi Valley to Santa Monica. During its run within Simi Valley, the company hired some automotive designers which are now global known for their ability. Jay Mays (currently VP Design for Ford and Freeman Thomas) and Thomas (who helped co design the very first Audi TT) used to call Simi Valley home. The space has since been developed into an industrial complex.