The Air Force One jet that served presidents from 1972–2001 is on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Air Force One is a lot cozier than I imagined. The comfortable leather chairs, soft blue carpeting and large jars of jelly beans remind me of my aunt’s living room. From the inside it’s almost easy to forget that this is one of the most potent symbols of American power.

Reagan and Gorbachev.

I'm no high-level diplomat or European prince, just a humble visitor to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Located in Simi Valley, California, 45 minutes from Los Angeles, the library boasts an incredible collection of historical artifacts, presidential gifts and memorabilia.

Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum – whether you’re a lifelong democrat or a card-carrying Republican – it's a must-see.

Marine One.

The plane

The plane that I’m in is no replica. This is the real deal, the same Boeing 707 used by Nixon, Ford, Carter, both Bushes, Clinton and, of course, Reagan himself to travel the world for 28 years. Disassembled and rebuilt on-site by Boeing, the plane looks every bit as majestic at it does on TV. Air Force One is perched high above the ground on concrete pillars and kept in a massive hangar that also houses Marine One (a Sikorsky VH-3 Sea King helicopter) and one of Reagan’s presidential limousines.

The library

The library (although it’s really closer to a museum) is a complete exploration of Reagan’s life, from his career as an actor to his time in public office to his post-presidential days in California. Interactive exhibits give you the chance to act in a movie with the Gipper, deliver the inaugural address on the U.S. Capitol and read the president’s handwritten diary. In one room ominously named Threat Theater, the disembodied heads of Mao and Brezhnev leer down at me from the wall while I watch a video presentation on the spread of communism.

The library's Oval Office replica.

Fans of the West Wing or House of Cards will get a kick from the full-size replica of the Oval Office. Every president gets his own design with Reagan favoring the rich, earthy colors of Southern California. But the most striking element is the massive, intricately carved desk. Fashioned out of the timbers of the H.M.S. Resolute, it has been used by every president since Hayes with the exception of Johnson, Nixon and Ford. The original is currently with President Obama in the White House.

The First Lady is a constant presence in many of the exhibits. Several of her dresses are on display – including her famous mismatched outfit from the Gridiron dinner. She wore the outfit, which consists of a blue Hawaiian skirt, a feathered boa and yellow rubber rain boots, in reaction to press criticism about her expensive tastes in clothing.

It’s not just Reagan memorabilia on display at the library. I was lucky enough to witness perhaps the greatest baseball exhibit I’d ever seen, featuring some 700 artifacts including a Joe DiMaggio uniform, Babe Ruth’s fur coat, and a Honus Wagner trading card, which aficionados recognize as one of rarest baseball cards in the world. Sadly, the exhibit ended its run in September, but potential visitors should watch out for an upcoming car exhibit that includes the original Batmobile driven by Michael Keaton in the 1991 movie.

The Berlin Wall in Simi Valley.

The wall

When Reagan called on Gorbachev to “tear down this wall,” he probably never expected to get an actual piece of it. A massive nine-foot tall chunk of the Berlin Wall looms over the library grounds. Its “West side” (the one facing West Germany) is decorated with colorful graffiti of a flower and a butterfly. This stands in stark contrast to the empty gray concrete of its “East side” (which faced the Soviet-controlled East Berlin). Next to the piece is a replica of the White House South Lawn from where you have a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

In summary

The Reagan Presidential Library is the largest of the 13 U.S. presidential libraries, and it’s no surprise why. Inscribed on the walls of the main lobby are the names of some of the wealthiest men and the biggest companies in America, all of whom have come to pay homage to the 40th president.

Ronald Reagan jelly bean mosaic by Peter Rocha.

But despite its impressive collection, the library’s greatest achievement may be how well it humanizes the former leader of the free world. The library gives us a peek of the side of him and Nancy that few have gotten to know.

And nothing is more endearing than Reagan's love of jelly beans. All around the library are glass jars of his favorite candy, and there’s even a mosaic of the President composed of 10,000 Jelly Belly beans (left). Even in jelly bean form, Reagan looks as charming as ever.