(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Drive north from Los Angeles into Ventura County and you might miss it—unless you know where to look. As the 118 Freeway curves into Simi Valley, there’s a moment when the landscape opens up, and there it is: a massive smile carved into the side of a hill, grinning down at the city below.
Locals call it Happy Face Hill, and for people in Simi Valley, it’s more than just a landmark—it’s a symbol of home.
This weekend, that symbol was brought back to life by a group of volunteers who planted 11,000 orange and yellow flags on the hillside, carefully shaping the familiar face in time for the Happy Face Music Festival, an annual event that draws families and friends from across the region. The effort was led by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, a local service organization that has quietly taken care of the hill for years.
A Landmark with Roots
The smile has been part of the landscape for decades. According to longtime residents, the first version of the face appeared in the 1990s as a spontaneous art installation—possibly a prank, possibly a protest, depending on who tells the story. But over time, it stuck.
It wasn’t long before the face became a fixture, visible from the freeway and from many parts of the city. Over the years, it’s been recreated in different ways—sometimes with stones, sometimes mowed into the hillside, and now, with thousands of small flags planted by hand.
“It’s just something we all recognize,” said Larry Borovay, a Rotary volunteer who’s lived in Simi Valley for 35 years. “You drive over the hill, you see that face, and you feel like you’re where you’re supposed to be.”
Community, One Flag at a Time
At sunrise, the volunteers—Rotary members, families, and local students—began the task of laying out the design. Orange flags marked the eyes and the broad smile, while yellow flags filled in the face. For hours, people worked together in the dirt and brush, laughing at times, trading stories, and taking breaks to admire the progress.
“There’s no fanfare, no paycheck,” said BIll Klepper, another Rotary member. “Just people who care about this town and want to be part of something that makes it feel like home.”
The timing was no coincidence. The hill’s smile now overlooks the Happy Face Music Festival, held each year in a nearby park—a gathering that features live music, local food, and a chance for the community to celebrate the start of summer together.
More Than a Landmark
To outsiders, Happy Face Hill might just be a quirky roadside attraction, something you might snap a picture of on your way through town. But to the people who live here, it’s special.
It’s the first thing you see when you come home from a long trip. It’s a backdrop for the community. It highlights countless memories. And thanks to a group of volunteers who show up every few months, year after year, the hill is still smiling.
“This isn’t about making headlines,” Klepper said. “It’s about doing something simple and good, something that makes people feel connected. And sometimes, that’s enough.”
Now, with 11,000 flags fluttering in the breeze, Happy Face Hill grins once again—a quiet reminder that in Simi Valley, community runs deep, and home is always waiting with a smile.
