15 Best Things to Do in Chatsworth (CA)

Chatsworth is a community of about 42,000 people located in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County. This suburb of Los Angeles is known for its small-town feel despite being so close to the city.

Chatsworth is known for its pleasant year-round weather and central location with easy access to the nearby cities of Northridge, Canoga Park and West Hills. It’s also known for being quiet and peaceful and for its Old West appeal.

Chatsworth is situated in the foothills of the Santa Susana Mountains, and this location is perfect for many outdoor activities including hiking, biking and horseback riding.

In Chatsworth, there are many parks, restaurants and shopping areas including Northridge Fashion Center, Mason Devonshire Plaza and Chatsworth Center.

Below are 15 of the best things to do in and around Chatsworth, California.

1. Relax and Rejuvenate in Chatsworth Park North

Chatsworth Park North is the perfect place to relax and get your first taste of the city upon arrival.

The park is home to many facilities including basketball and volleyball courts, softball fields, fitness equipment, playgrounds and picnic areas with barbecue pits.

An easy hiking trail is onsite and takes hikers to a scenic area where you can watch the sunset or admire the stunning views of the area. Restrooms are also on site.

2. Enjoy a Live Performance at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center was once the Simi Community Methodist Episcopal Church.

If you’re interested in architecture, you’ll love the original features that have been intact since it was built in the 1920s including the stained-glass windows.

Since it reopened as a cultural venue in the mid-1990s, it has hosted a wide variety of live entertainment events. Throughout the year, theatrical performances, musicals, jazz shows and concerts are showcased.

3. Indulge with Southern Soul Food at Les Sisters’ Southern Kitchen & BBQ

Since 1986, Les Sisters Southern Kitchen & BBQ has been offering Southern Californians a taste of New Orleans and the Southeast.

Cajun and Creole-influenced dishes are served at lunch and dinner. Appetizers, sandwiches, poboys, burgers, baby back ribs, black-eyed peas and rice, wings, southern fried chicken, cornbread and various barbecued items are just some of the things you’ll find on the menu.

4. Visit the Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park

While visiting a cemetery may seem like an odd choice while on vacation, The Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park in nearby Calabasas is a very unique cemetery that would be of particular interest to pet owners and animal lovers.

As the name suggests, it’s the final resting grounds for more than 42,000 pets from around the area.

The park was started by a local veterinarian and is the final resting place of many pets who belonged to celebrities.

5. Admire Modern Art at Artvanta

Artvanta is an art museum in Chatsworth that showcases a wide variety of modern artworks from around the world.

A variety of rotating exhibits are displayed throughout the year. Some of the past exhibits have includes Alphabets – Reinvented and Vessels of light. Typically, there’s a mix of art on display including paintings and sculptures.

Guided tours are available, and a number of events take place throughout the year.

6. Learn About Local History at the Strathearn Historical Park & Museum

Strathearn Historical Park and Museum — Strathearn Historical Park And Museum

The Strathearn Historical Park & Museum, which is located in nearby Simi Valley, takes visitors on a journey into the past.

Start your visit at the on-site visitor’s centre before heading outdoors to explore the grounds. You can tour the park on your own or you can join a guided tour.

As you explore the grounds, you’ll find many well-preserved buildings including the Simi Library, the Strathearn Windmill, the Printz/Powell Colony House and the Currier Apricot Pitting Shed.

You can visit the buildings, but only visitors who are accompanied by a guide can explore the inside of these buildings.

7. Sample Local Craft Beer at Hand-Brewed Beer Co.

Since 2014, Hand-Brewed Beer Co. has been producing tasty, quality craft beer. These beers are produced on site, and you can sample a wide variety of creations in the laid-back tasting room.

Some of the beers that are on tap include Rocky Peak Red, War Eagle Lager, Flat Earth IPA and Imperial Honey Hand Blonde Ale.

8. Visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

At the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in nearby Simi Valley, you’ll learn about the life and times of former president Ronald Reagan.

Inside this huge complex are many exhibits housing items related to various periods of his life including his childhood, his movie career, his political career, his military service and his family life including his marriage to former First Lady, Nancy Reagan.

As you go through the museum, you’ll also see the antique Ford Mustang that he rode in during a notable campaign and the outfit he wore for his inauguration.

9. Explore Corriganville Park

Once known as Corriganville Movie Ranch, Corriganville Park in nearby Simi Valley is a beautiful green space and popular tourist attraction. The unique thing about this park is it was once a movie studio and ranch.

The contrasting scenery around the park, which consists of large boulders, mountains, lakes, waterfalls and caves, served as a backdrop for scenes in many well-known TV shows and movies.

Today, you can explore this park and admire the spectacular scenery and see the remnants of its movie days. A series of walking trails are on site to make it easier to get around the park.

10. Check Out Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village

Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village is a unique attraction situated in nearby Simi Valley. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Tressa Prisbrey’s creation took almost two decades to built and is today considered a striking masterpiece.

The village is made entirely of recycled materials from an area landfill. As you stroll along the walkways, you’ll pass shrines, sculptures and buildings. Guided tours are offered.

11. Go on a Shopping Excursion at The Commons at Calabasas

The Commons at Calabasas attracts both shoppers and observers. Shoppers come to this elegant complex to shop at high-end stores such as Sephora and Williams-Sonoma.

Observers come to search for the celebrities who are often spotted there and to admire the stunning architecture of the building.

Also on site are a variety of entertainment venues and many dining options.

12. Go Hiking along the Trails at Stoney Point

Stoney Point, which is near Chatsworth, is a popular spot for hiking and climbing. There are a number of great hiking trails passing through the area. While each one is different from the others, there’s always something interesting to see no matter which path you decide to take.

As you explore the area, you’ll see many natural features including large boulders, rock formations, caves, dens, alcoves and streams.

You’ll also have the chance to spot a wide variety of bird and animal species and observe native plant life. The trails are dog-friendly.

13. Go Back in Time at the Santa Susana Depot Museum and Model Railroad

Chatsworth and its surrounding area has a long railroad history and the Santa Susana Depot Museum, and Model Railroad in nearby Simi Valley is where you can learn all about it.

This fascinating museum is located inside a historic Southern Pacific Depot that has been expertly-restored to look just as it did back in the 1950s.

Inside the museum, you’ll see artefacts, memorabilia, a mini representation of Simi Valley and many other items related to the history of the city and the railroads.

14. Get Back to Nature in Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park is a beautiful nature area located in the spot where the Santa Susana Mountains meet Simi Hills.

The best way to explore this park is via the hiking trails that pass through it. As you wander along these trails, you’ll see steep ridges, deep canyons and scenic overlooks where you can admire the stunning views of the area.

You’ll also be able to observe a wide variety of plants and possibly spot some of the wild animals, such as ring-tailed cats and gray foxes, that are often seen in the area.

During your excursion in the park, you’ll learn about the colourful history of the area including how it was once a major transportation corridor as far back as the mid-1700s.

15. Visit the Leonis Adobe Museum

Constructed in 1844, the Leonis Adobe Museum in nearby Calabasas is the oldest remaining structure in the San Fernando Valley.

It was once the private home of Miguel Leonis who was a wealthy rancher in the area. Today it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is a living museum dedicated to preserving the history of the adobe.

As you explore the museum and grounds, you’ll get a feel of what it was like to live on a ranch in those times. Situated on site are various old buildings including a barn and a blacksmith shop.