The Communities Of Rancho Santa Fe

The schools are outstanding, there's little crime, and the sun shines 320 days a year. The ambient temperature year 'round is 72-degrees with relatively low humidity. Estates are tucked behind rolling hills of citrus groves and corrals surrounded with graceful eucalyptus trees. The Pacific Ocean, with some of the best beaches in California, is five miles away.

The zip code: 92067, an exclusive area of unincorporated San Diego County land that is located some 30 miles north of downtown San Diego. Rancho Santa Fe was originally carved out of the first Spanish land grant some 150 years ago, an area now referred to as the Covenant. As the area developed, new neighborhoods, each with its own characteristics, sprouted up around the Covenant. Today, thanks to the United States Post Office, the entire zip code 92067 is known as Rancho Santa Fe.

Rancho Santa Fe also is one of the most expensive areas to live in the country, with the median price of homes sold through the first half of 2004 at more than $2.4 million. Home prices start at $1 million in several communities where the density of homes tends to be less than ¼ acre, and run up to $32 million.

Here's a look at the communities that comprise Rancho Santa Fe:

Rancho Santa Fe Covenant

The Rancho Santa Fe Covenant originally was Rancho San Dieguito, a land grant made in 1845 by Mexican Governor Pio Pico to Juan Maria Osuna, a colorful settler, caballero, and the original mayor of the pueblo of San Diego. Raising cattle was probably the main activity on Osuna's lush acreage abundant in fertile pasture land along the San Dieguito River. The original adobe dwellings still stand preserved and restored, continuously occupied since Osuna built them almost 150 years ago.

Sold by the Osuna heirs in 1906 to the Santa Fe Land Company, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railway, the San Dieguito land grant became the site of an unusual experiment. Eucalyptus seeds obtained from Australia were propagated at the company's rancho headquarters, Juan Osuna's original home. Within three years, some 3,000 eucalyptus seedlings had been planted to provide wood for railroad ties. The experiment was abandoned when it was found that the eucalyptus wood was unsuitable for the purpose. The rapidly growing forest, consisting of several varieties of the graceful, aromatic shade tree, was left to develop and increase, no longer threatened by the woodman's blade.

A new project, again sponsored by the Rancho Santa Fe Land Company, was initiated in 1922. Its purpose was the opening of new orchard acreage to increase freight shipments for the railroad. Over time, Rancho Santa Fe has become the home of country estates and, after the last census in 2000, this community of some 5,000 people was found to be the richest community in the country among communities of 1,000 households or more.

What lures the wealthiest Americans? Privacy, for one thing.

The Covenant's rural feel has been zealously guarded by a strict set of rules called the Protective Covenant. In fact, when the community was formed in 1928, the Covenant was created to preserve the character of the area and rare landscape features, as well as uphold the quality of all future architecture and improvements. Indeed, the Covenant became one of the first planned communities in the United States and the Protective Covenant gave it structure. The Covenant encompasses approximately 6,200 acres with some 1,500 households just five miles from the Pacific Ocean. The Covenant is governed by the Rancho Santa Fe Association, which also oversees the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club, site of the original Crosby clambake and one of the finest layouts in Southern California, and the Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club.

Designed by one of the country's first women architects, Lillian Rice of San Diego, the Covenant's centerpiece is the Village, a picturesque downtown of just a few square blocks that includes some fine restaurants and boutiques. Also downtown are the association offices, the Rancho Santa Fe Community Center, Library, and Garden Club. The Covenant also has a riding club. The community was designed with condos and homes on small lots around the Village. Beyond this the lots are two acres or more, and on the outer edges of the Covenant are still a number large estate properties and horse farms. Weaving through the Covenant's acreage--sometimes along the roads, other times between homeowners' properties-are 45 miles of hiking and riding trails.

Schools include the Rancho Santa Fe Elementary and Middle schools, located in the Village. Rancho Santa Fe is in the San Dieguito High School District and students have a choice of attending top-ranked Torrey Pines High School or San Dieguito Academy. A third high school is under construction.

Unincorporated Areas Surrounding the Covenant

THE BRIDGES - 250-284 homesites
An exclusive enclave still being built out, The Bridges was designed and constructed to preserve the natural beauty of its 540 acres. The heart of this residential community is its championship golf course, host to Tiger Woods' annual Battle of the Bridges, a nationally-televised event. A Robert Trent Jones II design, the par 71 course boasts five sets of tees, playing almost 7,000 yards from the tips. At the center of the community is the 35,000 square foot Bridges Clubhouse, built to resemble a medieval Tuscan village and the winner of the prestigious Gold Nugget Award for Best Design. A state-of-the-art swim and fitness center offers members the full gamut of health and recreation facilities.

The Bridges offers a well-balanced community for all ages. The remaining custom home sites start around $1.5 million. Custom homes are coming on line as local builders complete them and they tend to start in the high $2 million range and run to $6 million. The Bridges is being developed by Lennar, and while this national homebuilder has been selling custom home sites, it also has built golf villas close to the club house . Resales here have been starting around $1.7 million. Lennar also has under construction larger homes, in the 4,000- to 5,000-square foot range, called the Cortile Collection whose designs have won national awards. These start in the around $2.5 million.

The majority of the homes in this guard-gated community are within the Rancho Santa Fe School District with a small section located in the Encinitas Union Elementary School District. The entire community is located within the San Dieguito Union High School District.

CIELO - 528 homesites
Cielo is a residential development located atop the highest coastal peaks in all of North San Diego County. This guard-gated community sprawls over 1,740 acres with home sites ranging from one to three acres. New custom homes here start in the high $2 million range, with homes at the highest elevations of 1,400 feet commanding considerably more. Views here stretch from the Coronado Islands in Mexico to San Clemente Island and Palomar Mountain. Semi-custom resale homes built by Davidson are selling from $1.7 million and up. Home sites, starting around $750,000 still are available.

The community's clubhouse is under construction. Community facilities will include a tennis and fitness facility as well as community park and a variety of private recreational areas, natural pathways linked to regional hiking and biking trails; a commercial village center and fire station. Some of the homes are within the Rancho Santa Fe School District while others are in the Escondido School District.

THE CROSBY - 443 homesites
The Crosby Estate and The Crosby National Golf Course include 722 acres, 140 villas, 211 semi-custom homes and 92 custom homesites. Homesites start at $745,000 and run to more than $2 million. Six guest builders are working within this guard-gated community. While physically the land is in the City of San Diego zip code 92127, residents have a Rancho Santa Fe mail address-that is, 92067. Students in this area will attend schools in the Solana Beach School District and the San Dieguito Union High School District.

The 18-hold par 70 championship private golf course was designed by Fred Couples and Schmidt-Curley Design. A 35,000 square foot clubhouse is being constructed along with swim, fitness and tennis facilities. There are 190 acres of permanent open space.

THE GROVES - 44 homesites
On the northern edge of the Covenant, The Groves was developed by William Strong in the mid 1980s on a 101-acre orange grove. The lots average between one and two acres and are mostly on hilly terrain. Most of the homes in this gated community are Mediterranean style. Most of The Groves is within the Rancho Santa Fe School District. Recent home prices start around $1.7 million.

HACIENDA SANTA FE - 134 homesites
Located on the far eastern side of the Covenant, Hacienda Santa Fe is an older subdivision with lot sizes ranging between one and two acres. The original homes here were built in the late 1970s and early 1980s and are mostly Spanish and Mediterranean in style. Home sales range from $1.4 million to over $2 million. Hacienda is in the Solana Beach School District and San Dieguito Union High School District.

LAS VILLAS - 10 homesites
This small subdivision built recently by Concordia homes is located north of the Covenant next to The Groves. Home sizes in this gated neighborhood range from 5,000 to 7,000 square feet and sale prices from $1.7 million to $3 million. Students living in Las Villas attend Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School and either La Costa Canyon High School or San Dieguito Academy.

NON-COVENANT - 316 homesites
Non-Covenant is a catchall phrase for properties within and around the Covenant boundaries that are not included in the Covenant and do not belong to any other community. These include homes on Via Del Charro, Arroyo Rosita, Rancho Serena, Via De Santa Fe, and some streets off Del Dios Highway and Artesian Road. There also are a small number of properties located within the Covenant boundaries that never attached to the Covenant and thus are not bound by Covenant restrictions and do not have Covenant privileges. New, small communities such as Las Villas also are included in this category.

RANCHO DEL LAGO - 43 homesites
Contiguous to The Groves and located within the same orange grove,. Rancho Del Lago homes are generally on four acres with a level or gently sloping terrain. Homes tend to be larger than most other areas, up to 20,000 square feet. A guard-gated community, Rancho Del Lago homes range from $3.5 million to $32 million and its residents include the pop singer Jewel. All homes are located within the Rancho Santa Fe and San Dieguito Union High school districts.

RANCHO DEL RIO - 71 homesites
Located off Del Dios Highway just west of The Crosby, this area offers older homes on two or more acres for $1.5 million and up. the original homes here were built from the mid-1960s to early 1980s. Most homes also have access to the riding trails located along the San Dieguito River nearby. Children attend the Solana Santa Fe Elementary and Earl Warren Middle schools, and the Torrey Pines High School or San Dieguito Academy.

RANCHO LA CIMA - 26 homesites
Situated south of Rancho Del Lago on the northeast boundary of the Covenant, Rancho La Cima's lots average two acres with mostly Mediterranean-style homes, most of which were built in the mid-1980s or early 1990s. A guard-gated community, Rancho La Cima homes start over $2 million and youngsters go to Rancho Santa Fe schools.

SOUTH POINTE FARMS - 52 homesites
Located on the northwest border of the Covenant, part of South Pointe Farms is within the Covenant borders and part is outside. Because of this delineation, 14 of the homes are within the Rancho Santa Fe School District and the rest are in the Encinitas School District. Subdivided by Don Woodward in the late 1970s, all sites have views of either hillsides, lagoon, or the Pacific Ocean. Homesites in this gated community generally are over two acres and prices start in the $2 million range.

STONEBRIDGE - 52 homesites
This gated community is located on the far western boundary of the Covenant. Many homes were built in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Kirn-Atkinson Development. Prices start around $2 million. Stonebridge is located within the Solana Beach Elementary School District (Skyline/Solana Vista Elementary schools) and the San Dieguito Union High School District.

SUMMIT - 23 homesites
The Summit is a relatively new development located on the eastern edge of the Covenant with homesites averaging two acres. A minimum of 5,000 square feet of building per homesite is required in this gated-community. Located on Del Dios Highway, most of the lots in the Summit are within the Rancho Santa Fe School District. Home prices start over $2 million.

Fairbanks Ranch
620 homesites

Just five miles east of Interstate 5, lying in the original map of Rancho San Dieguito, is the exclusive estates community of Fairbanks Ranch. In the early 1900s, Theodore Reed, movie director for the screen idol Douglas Fairbanks, discovered the area and suggested Fairbanks purchase the land as an investment. In 1924 Fairbanks and Mary Pickford bought 800 acres and named in Rancho Zorro (or Fox Ranch) after one his films. Fairbanks built a dam to capture water from the Lusardi Creek draining into the San Dieguito River, planted more than 300 acres of Valencia oranges and hired a full time manager to oversee his property. Wallace Neff designed the couple's dream home, which was to be a country retreat. But in 1936, before construction started, Pickford and Fairbanks were divorced. Because Fairbanks' second wife, Lady Sylvia Ashley, felt the property was too isolated, Fairbanks came much less often to visit his onetime country playground. The property was maintained as a grove until the 1950s when it was sold.

After changing hands several times, the Fairbanks property was purchased in 1977 by Ray Watt, a Santa Monica developer. Inspired by the exclusive ambiance of Rancho Santa Fe, Watts wanted to create an elite community of estate sites called Fairbanks Ranch. He went on to subdivide the 1,240 acres and started selling lots in 1981. The amenities of the guard-gated community include a lakeside clubhouse, tennis courts, 40 acres of open space, three miles of fenced horse trails, a 17-acre equestrian center with a 27-stall barn, two lakes, miles of walking trails, a fitness course, and several shaded picnic spots. The original pump house that was built in the 1920s has been restored and is used as the community library.

Featured on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous", the custom-built residences of Fairbanks Ranch occupy 620 well-manicured estate sites, ranging from one-half to 10 acres. Sale prices range from $1.5 million to $10 million. Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, Del Mar Country Club, Morgan Run Golf Course, Rancho Valencia Resort, several polo fields and equestrian facilities are nearby.

Fairbanks Ranch students attend Solana Santa Fe Elementary School, Earl Warren Middle School, and either Torrey Pines High School or San Dieguito Academy.

South of Fairbanks Ranch

DEL MAR COUNTRY CLUB - 108 homesites
The focal point of this 266-cre community is Del Mar Country Club which offers a 50,000 square foot clubhouse and an 18-hold, 6,950 yard Joseph Lee golf course, six tennis courts, and a junior Olympic-size swimming pool. The custom home sites range in size from one-half acre to more than three acres. Each site offers its own unique views-of the golf course, the clubhouse, the open hills, the ocean or the community below. The architectural review committee has approved Mediterranean, Traditional and Country French home designs. Prices range from the mid-$2 million range to $6 million in this guard-gated community. Students attend Solana Santa Fe Elementary, Ear Warren Middle school, and Torrey Pines High School or San Dieguito Academy.

DEL RAYO DOWNS - 65 homesites
Developed in 1987 by Gene Klein and Gus Gardner, the patio homes in gated Del Rayo Downs range from 2,500 to 4,300 square feet. Home prices start around $1 million. This community is adjacent to the Del Rayo Plaza and a number of the homes have lovely valley views with sweeping vistas of horse pastures and golf courses. The gated, Mediterranean-style neighborhood includes two tennis courts, a clubhouse, pool and cabana. School districts: Solana Santa Fe Elementary, Earl Warren Middle, Torrey Pines High School or San Dieguito academy.

DEL RAYO ESTATES - 23 homesites
Originally developed by Gene Klein, these large estates with fabulous views range from 8,000 to 17,000 square feet and sit on two to 12 acres. A number of them were built under the direction of private investor Georg Lingenbrink. Home prices range from $9 million to $20 million. Most homes are gated with larger acreage and stunning views. School districts: Solana Beach Elementary, Earl Warren Middle, and Torrey Pines High School or San Dieguito Academy.

MONTECITO - 36 homesites
One of the three "Villages of Fairbanks", Montecito, a gated community, was constructed in 1984, the same time as the Olympic Equestrian Endurance event nearby at what is now Fairbanks Ranch Golf Course. Builder Ray Watt and architect Buzzard-Henning designed these smaller Spanish Mediterranean homes for singles and retired couples. The three floor plans range from 2,200 to 3,000 square feet. Prices start over $1 million. There are monthly homeowner's association dues which pay for a community pool and exercise facility. School districts are Solana Beach Elementary, Earl Warren Middle, and Torrey Pines High School or San Dieguito Academy.

RANCHO DIEGUENO - 238 homesites
Rancho Diegueno is a more rural area of Rancho Santa Fe with both gated and non-gated sections. These include: Santa Fe Visa, Santa Fe Sur, San Diegueno Hills, Circo Diegueno, Stonefield Estates, and Rancho Santa Fe Acres. Home prides start around $1.7 million. Also included in this area are the homes on Winland Hills Drive which have sold from $4 million and up. School districts: Solana Beach Elementary, Earl Warren Middle, and Torrey Pines High School or San Dieguito Academy.

RANCHO FARMS ESTATES - 16 homesites
This is a newer gated subdivision located south of Rancho Santa Fe Farms. Most vacant lots were purchased in 1998 and 1999. Home prices range start in the low $2 million range. Schools include Solana Santa Fe Elementary, Earl Warren Middle, and Torrey Pines or San Dieguito Academy.

RANCHO SANTA FE FARMS - 95 homesites
Rancho Santa Fe Farms is built around the Rancho Santa Fe Farms Golf Course, designed by Pete Dye. Later redesigned by Tom Lehman, this 6960 yard course covers 127 acres and a $9.2 million clubhouse within this guard-gated community. The predominant style home is Mediterranean. Home prices start at $2 million and run to $8 million and more. Schools include Solana Santa Fe Elementary, Earl Warren Middle, and Torrey Pines High School and San Dieguito Academy.

RANCHO SANTA FE LAKES - 39 homesites
A recent subdivision, this community is gated with most homes in the Mediterranean style. Prices start around $1.7 million. School districts are Solana Santa Fe Elementary, Earl Warren Middle, and Torrey Pines High School or San Dieguito Academy.

RANCHO SANTA FE MEADOWS - 15 homesites
A gated community on Via de Santa Fe south of El Apajo, these homes range in size from 2,300 to 11,000 square feet and have sold for up to $5 million. Within walking distance to Fairbanks Plaza, this community is just down the street from the Solana Santa Fe Elementary School. Students attend that school as well as Earl Warren Middle, Torrey Pines High School and San Dieguito Academy.

RANCHO VALENCIA - 30 homesites
This development is part of the Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, which has been named among the top ten U.S. resorts by Zagat and Tennis magazine. In addition to its highly respected restaurant, the resort's 65 acres include 43 luxury guest casitas and 18 championship tennis courts. Home prices start in the $2 million range. Schools are Solana Santa Fe Elementary, Earl Warren Middle School, Torrey Pines High School and San Dieguito Academy.

SANTALUZ - 942 homesites
Santaluz occupies 3,800 acres in the San Dieguito River Valley and is part of the City of San Diego in zip code 92127. Located just east of Fairbanks Ranch, this community, in which development currently is in progress, is expected to wind up with the same density as the Covenant-one home per four acres. The elevation ranges from 200- to 800-feet and the master plan preserves large portions of the diverse terrain. There are 1,000 acres of open space with dramatic ridge lines, deep ravines and gentle hillsides. Some 80 percent of the homes will have some view. Named the "Best Master-Planned Community in Southern California" by the Building Industry Association, Santaluz is a collaboration between DMB Associates, Inc., and Taylor Woodrow Homes, Inc.

The gated community includes casitas, garden and attached and custom homes as well as custom home sites which range from one to two acres. Seven builders have been working in Santaluz with a variety of homes starting in the $900,000 range. Casita resales presently are around $1 million, while custom homes are more than $2 million. The heart of the neighborhood is the Village Green, an 11-acre park. The community also includes more than six miles of private hiking and biking trails as well as 7,112 Rees Jones designed golf course which flows through the rolling hills. The clubhouse is under construction. In addition, the 19,000-square-foot Hacienda Santaluz provides swim, tennis and fitness facilities as well as a full-service spa.

SENTERRA - 162 homesites
This gated community is the largest of the three Villages of Fairbanks built by Ray Watt and designed by architect Ross Sutherland. While located in the City of San Diego, zip code 92130, Senterra residents receive their mail in the Rancho Santa Fe zip code. With homes running 2,370 to 3,520 square feet, the first of these Spanish Mediterranean residences were built in 1986 in different sections, with each having its own pool/spa area. There are four floor plans and prices start at around $1 million. School districts are Solana Beach Elementary, Earl Warren Middle, and Torrey Pines High School or San Dieguito Academy.

Getting the Inside Scoop! But these facts are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many amenities and events that make San Diego County such a wonderful place to call home for newcomers and lifelong residents alike. But, when it comes to something as important as choosing the home that's right for you and your family, you need to have all the facts. As a real estate professional — and relocation specialist — Joanne enjoys introducing people to Rancho Santa Fe and all of San Diego County and helping them make the most of living here. She also knows that finding your new home is just one of the tasks that face you when you are relocating. Her goal is to coordinate everything as smoothly and efficiently as possible here, while you are wrapping up the final details of moving out of your present home, wherever that may be.

Rancho Santa Fe offers championship golf courses, tennis clubs, equestrian centers, soccer and baseball fields for the active lifestyle.