Rancho del Cielo, Presidential ranch in Santa Barbara County, United States
Rancho del Cielo is a 688-acre property in the mountains near Santa Barbara that includes a five-room house and outbuildings. The grounds sit at 2,240 feet (683 meters) elevation and feature stables along with a small lake.
The Reagan family purchased the property in 1974 and used it as a retreat for over two decades. After the presidency ended, it remained in family ownership until 1998, when it was transferred to an educational foundation.
The ranch's Spanish name means "Sky's Ranch" or "Heaven's Ranch"; it was earlier called Rancho de los Picos after José Jesús Pico, who homesteaded it and built the original adobe house in 1871. Reagan signed the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 here, and the property became known as the Western White House. Guests included Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth II and Mikhail Gorbachev.
A nonprofit organization manages the grounds and organizes educational visits for selected groups, while the property remains closed to the general public. Visitors should inquire in advance and learn about the limited access opportunities.
The former owner carried out many renovation tasks himself and built fences and stables with his own hands. He often used this physical work as a foundation for speeches and political reflection.
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