Rancho Santa Fe

One of the world's most exclusive communities nestled in rural North San Diego County just 5 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. This elegant community of magnificent estates and secluded ranch homes offers its residents ideal weather, dramatic natural beauty, and an unmatched relaxed lifestyle.

 

When driving its peaceful winding roads, visitors pass stately Eucalyptus trees and picturesque orange groves that hide some of the most beautiful homes found anywhere in the world.

 

A focal point of local activity is the charming Village with its quaint shops, active businesses, delightful restaurants, and the world-renowned Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Nearby Fairbanks Ranch offers additional stately residences and added privacy with its 24-hour gated security.

 

Area schools are rated among the highest in the state, and recreational amenities offered include seven exclusive country clubs (including the world-famous Rancho Santa Fe Golf Course which hosted the original Bing Crosby Pro-Am Tournament), over 35 miles of dedicated riding trails, and numerous private tennis clubs.

 

Location: The village of Rancho Santa Fe is nestled in the rolling hills and luxurious valleys of North San Diego. It is located just 5 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and Del Mar, only a short 35 miles north of downtown San Diego.

 

Climate: With low humidity, tempered by cool ocean breezes, temperatures average between 62 and 79 degrees with a 9-inch average rainfall.

Covenant: The natural elegance of the Rancho Santa Fe lifestyle is preserved by conscientious property owners under the Rancho Santa Fe protective covenant. Originating in 1927, the covenant was intended to carefully develop and perpetuate that lifestyle. It covers approximately 6,200 acres with approximately 1,800 households.

 

History: Rancho Santa Fe was created from the Juan Osuna Ranch back in 1906 when the Santa Fe Railroad purchased the area now known as "The Covenant" and planted most of the 3,000,000 Eucalyptus trees to be used for railroad ties and then discovered that the wood wasn't suited for the heavy demands of the trains. From that point on the railroad built The Inn and divided the Ranch into varying size parcels and proceeded to start selling lots. The railroad hired an architect from San Francisco, by the name of Lillian Rice who felt the area was ideally suited for Spanish-style architecture and laid out the plan for the village as well as designing homes for some of the first settlers. Over the years, due to extremely good architectural control "The Ranch" is now considered one of the "Top 10" communities in the U.S. and was rated #1 community by The Robb Report Magazine, in a recent article.

 

This upscale slice of North County is a sweet little town that's enjoyed by everyone. Primarily residential Rancho Santa Fe has just two hotels that blend into the eucalyptus groves surrounding the town. Shopping and dining-both quite limited, and refined-revolve around a couple of understated blocks known locally as "the Village". Welcome to the most affluent community in the United States.