Nestled in the foothills of the Gabilan Mountains, in the heart of the Salinas Valley, is a 100-acre ranch and restored piece of history—it’s called Rancho Cielo.
For 25 years, Rancho Cielo has provided a lifeline for historically underserved youth in Monterey County, ages 14 to 24 years old. Away from city limits, the ranch offers a welcoming refuge, where these young people have opportunities to transform their futures.
Rancho Cielo’s approach goes beyond education, serving over 250 students annually through programs that integrate high school education, vocational training, case management, life skills and, importantly, hope. Graduates earn an accredited high school diploma (or equivalent) and industry-recognized certifications, creating pathways to living-wage employment and higher education.
Longterm, the goal for graduates is to become successful and productive community members with upward mobility in careers they choose.
Rancho Cielo is unique in its strong public-private partnerships and engagement with the local business community in support of its innovative programming. Its oldest and most established program, the Drummond Culinary Academy, is a prime example, having been founded with support from renowned chef and restaurateur Bert Cutino of the Sardine Factory.
In a unique microenterprise model, the Culinary Academy opens to the public for Friday night dinners during the school year. Guests who venture off the beaten path to Rancho Cielo are rewarded with an extraordinary dining experience, with majestic views from the patio or inside the cozy, window-lined dining room, where casual elegance meets a warm, friendly ambiance.
Under the guidance of Executive Chef Estevan Jimenez, students prepare and serve contemporary California cuisine that speaks to the bounty and culture of the Salinas Valley and the students themselves. Diners have the unique opportunity to participate in their learning process—as much hospitality and culinary training as it is an empowerment journey. The students strive to create memorable moments for guests through attentive service and delicious food—and it shows.
Choose from a seasonally inspired, three-course prix fixe menu, made with produce from Rancho Cielo’s organic garden and honey from its apiary. Rancho Cielo is top-rated on Tripadvisor and Yelp and was named a Blue Zone Project-approved restaurant in 2020. Reservations are required.
Rancho Cielo also hosts three major fundraisers each year: Culinary Round Up (February), Veggie Boxes and BBQ (August) and Jazz at the Ranch (October). As this is a special year, the nonprofit will mark its 25th anniversary with a celebration on October 25, in lieu of Jazz at the Ranch.
The event will feature live music, delectable food, awards, a special appeal and community in honor of the two decades-plus Rancho Cielo has been helping youth transform their lives in Monterey County.
Premier chefs from the American Culinary Federation, Cultura, Folktale Winery & Vineyards, Santa Lucia Preserve and the Drummond Culinary Academy’s up-and-coming culinary students will serve up elevated seasonal cuisine in an interactive strolling culinary experience.
Guests can enjoy local wines from Folktale Winery & Vineyards, ROAR Wines and Talbott Vineyards and craft beers provided by Alvarado Street Brewery and Other Brother Beer Co.
The grand finale will feature blues legend Chris Cain and former Santana crooner Tony Lindsay who will perform a Tribute to Ray Charles. John Nava & the Latin Jazz Collective also performs. Tickets include food and entertainment, with all proceeds benefiting Rancho Cielo youth and programs.
Established in 2000 as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit by retired Monterey County Superior Court Judge John Phillips, Rancho Cielo was born of the frustration he experienced on the bench, sentencing 18-year-olds to prison for life. What began as a dream of a few classrooms has grown into a thriving campus, thanks to powerful community support from the Monterey Peninsula to the Salinas Valley and public-private partnerships with Monterey County’s Office of Education and Behavioral Health and Probation Departments.
Rancho Cielo was once home to the Natividad Boys’ Ranch, a juvenile incarceration facility. The property lay dormant for nearly two decades, and a feasibility study graciously funded by the Packard Foundation initially found that Rancho Cielo was not viable, but Phillips persisted.
To this day, Phillips says he’s amazed at how the private sector and local industry came together with funding and direct involvement.
Since then, Rancho Cielo has given thousands of young people a second chance and a fresh start, many facing significant barriers including poverty, justice-system involvement, and housing and food insecurity. Programs and services are provided at no cost, ensuring access and alleviating barriers to success.
Importantly, the students choose these avenues to opportunity at Rancho Cielo on their terms and with intent, and it will redefine their futures.
Friday Night Dinners run mid-October 2025–May 2026. Reservations are open. Hours: 5–7 pm.
Rancho Cielo’s 25th Anniversary Celebration is October 25, 2025. Tickets at ranchocieloyc.org/rancho-cielos-25th-anniversary-celebration/
