Rancho Embarcadero is a wonderful community located just up the coast from the city of Goleta, directly inland from the new Bacara Resort Hotel and Sandpiper Golf Course - just minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, yet a world away from it all. The relatively new Camino Real Marketplace shopping center with major retailers, restaurants, and theaters is nearby - not far from the airport, beaches and UCSB.

Residents enjoy country living in a canyon of approximately 150 custom homes on acre+- lots zoned for horses, with many riding regularly on the right-of-ways and nearby trails. Tecolote Creek runs down the middle of the canyon, bordering some properties and running right through others.

Homes range from comfortable older ranch-style to dramatic newer and contemporary, on parcels varying from flat acreage to hillsides and ridgetops with ocean and mountain views. There is a wide variety of improvements on the properties including citrus and avocado orchards, corrals and barns, guest houses, pools, and tennis courts. Values in 2006 are ranging from right around $1,200,000 to well over $2,000,000.

There is a true feeling of community spirit here, with activities and events planned throughout the year. A community newsletter keeps residents informed of upcoming events and local news including who's having puppies, who can do babysitting and yard chores, etc.

Gay Milligin sponsors trash dumpsters for the Canyon for Spring and Fall Cleanup - a great opportunity for residents to clear brush and haul away tons of debris. It's been a nice way for Gay to give back to the community that's been so good to her.

Local public schools include either Brandon or Ellwood Elementary, Goleta Valley Junior High, and Dos Pueblos High.

Rancho Embarcadero is in the Embarcadero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) in Santa Barbara County - not in the new City of Goleta. The EMID Community Center includes a building for meetings and activities, a barbecue and patio area, and children’s playground.