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Rancho del Cielo: Frequently Asked Questions By Marilyn Fisher, Ranch Curator When did Young America’s Foundation save the Ranch? Young America’s Foundation purchased Rancho del Cielo from President and Mrs. Reagan in the spring of 1998 when the President’s illness made it necessary for them to sell the Ranch. Mrs. Reagan first approached President Clinton’s administration and requested it purchase Rancho del Cielo for preservation as a Presidential property. The administration refused. Mrs. Reagan then approached the California Assembly which also refused to act. The Ranch was then put on the market, and Young America’s Foundation stepped in and saved Reagan’s ranch. Young America’s Foundation preserves the Ranch as a Presidential property and uses it to pass on Ronald Reagan’s conservative principles to future generations. —————————————————— When did President Reagan purchase Rancho del Cielo? The Reagans purchased the Ranch in 1974, after their good friend, Bill Wilson, first showed them the property—known at the time as Tip Top Ranch. —————————————————— When did the President last visit the Ranch? Due to President Reagan’s fight with Alzheimer’s, his last trip to Rancho del Cielo was on August 15, 1995. —————————————————— Do Reagan family members and friends visit the Ranch? President Reagan’s son, Michael, has been actively involved with Young America’s Foundation since we saved the Ranch. He is a highly rated speaker at our events and takes a role in maintaining Rancho
Michael Reagan and his daughter, Ashley, are frequent guests at the Ranch.
The Reagan Ranch spans 688-acres and includes the main ranch house, the tack barn, riding trails, Lake Lucky, and many other features built and maintained by the President.
del Cielo. Michael, and his wife Colleen, as well as their children, Ashley and Cameron, visit the Ranch often. Patti Davis, the President’s daughter, has also visted. In addition, the Foundation is fortunate to have several of Ronald Reagan’s close friends and advisors serve on our Board of Governors and Board of Directors, including Judge Bill Clark and Attorney General Ed Meese. Frank Donatelli, who served as a senior advisor to President Reagan, is the chairman of the Reagan Ranch Board of Governors as well as a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. —————————————————— How did President Reagan get to the Ranch during his Presidency? Reagan was driven up to the Ranch on Refugio Road both prior to and after the Presidency. During the Presidency, however, he was transported to the Ranch via helicopter. Air Force One would land at the military base, Point Mugu, where Marine One would take President and Mrs. Reagan to Rancho del Cielo. A motorcade would escort the President to Rancho del Cielo on Refugio Road during the few occasions when weather did not permit travel via helicopter. —————————————————— How many Secret Service agents were stationed at the Ranch? The number of agents at the Ranch varied depending on national security needs. As
many as 150 to 200 Secret Service agents and support staff would be at the Ranch within a 24-hour period, and agents not on shift would relax in the Santa Barbara area. All agents typically served eight-hour rotating shifts. —————————————————— How often did Ronald Reagan visit the Ranch while President? Ronald Reagan spent 349 days of his eight years as President at Rancho del Cielo. —————————————————— Does anyone live on the Ranch today? We have a ranch manager who resides on the Ranch property. He cares for the Ranch animals and assists in maintaining the grounds. —————————————————— Is the Ranch open to the public? Prior to Young America’s Foundation saving the Ranch, it was not open to any visitors. Thousands of young Americans, Foundation supporters, and others have visited Rancho del Cielo since our preservation efforts began. We would love to open the Ranch to the general public, but the county must first make significant improvements to the road leading up to the Ranch. Young America’s Foundation’s Reagan Ranch Center in downtown Santa Barbara, however, is open to the general public. The Center includes interactive exhibits, classrooms, a library of conservative resources, Ranch-related items, a theater, and more. (See page 29.)
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