This is a community of approximately 1800 homesites on 6200 acres. The homes range from 2000 to 15,000 sq.ft. There are 85 condos in the village.
The Covenant refers to the original planned community of Rancho Santa Fe. At the center is a small village with library, elementary school, Community Center, Garden Club and the original 1920’s era hotel, The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Aesthetics and architecture within the Covenant are protected by the Art Jury. There are no streetlights, sidewalks and now only 1 traffic light, but lots of winding streets that slow traffic and contribute to a relaxed lifestyle.
Rancho Santa Fe has a rich heritage, and in 1989 it was designated as a State Historical Landmark. The land was originally an Indian Rancheria called “Rancho San Dieguito” which was granted to Juan Maria Osuna, the mayor of San Diego in the mid-1800’s. In 1906 the Santa Fe Railway purchased it to plant eucalyptus trees for railroad ties. The trees were unsuitable for ties, and the Santa Fe Company decided to turn the land into a residential horse-oriented community. Lillian Rice was ultimately the architect to plan and design the town. She favored the Spanish Colonial Revival style. After the Lake Hodges dam was completed and water brought to the area, construction of the town began in 1922.
Rancho Santa Fe gained popularity between World War I and World War II. After construction of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Bing Crosby was one of the Ranch’s “early settlers”, hosting annual clambakes at the Golf Club. I have interviewed the earliest golfer to Rancho Santa Fe (See my 1-Minute Newsletter of Sept/Oct,2007). Bob Macdonald arrived in Rancho Santa Fe at the age of 1 month in September 1926! He still plays golf here, proving life in Rancho Santa Fe is very good for you!
The Covenant has over 50 miles of riding/hiking trails. There are many horses here, and people either keep their horses on their property (To have horses you need a minimum of 2 acres, then it is 1 horse per acre.) or board them at the RSF Riding Club or Saddle Club. Polo is also a popular sport.
Only property owners of the Covenant are permitted to belong to the RSF Golf Club and Tennis Club. Some condos do not have golf privileges. (Call me, and I’ll explain.) Golf is a non-equity membership – see Golf in the left column.
This is a guard-gated community of 612 home sites on 1240 acres established in the 1980’s. Lots range from ½ to 10 acres, with most homes on 1 to 1-1/2 acres. Custom-built estates are on well-manicured lots and range from 3500-16,000sq.ft. There are 2 lakes, and offers a lakeside clubhouse, tennis courts, 40 acres of open space and 17-acre equestrian center, and miles of walking trails. This was originally developed by Douglass Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, was developed in the early 1980’s and was featured on “The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”!
This is a guard-gated exclusive golf community of approximately 265 home sites on 540 acres. It was designed around a championship rolling terrain golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. The style of the community is Tuscan, with a 35,000 sq.ft. clubhouse. Homes include the Villas (59) – 3,000-3,800sq.ft., Cortiles (44+) – 3,500-4,500sq.ft., and custom homes.
Guard-gated community of 528 home sites on 1740 acres atop the highest coastal peaks in San Diego County. Custom home sites on 1+acre parcels and semi-custom homes from 3,700 sq.ft. Most have sweeping views, some to the ocean. The Tuscan-style clubhouse, completed in 2007, a commercial village, still under construction in 2008, and a fire station. No golf course.
Actually not in the 92067 zip code, but in 92127. Guard-gated golf community on 722 acres. Construction of homes on-going in 2008. There will be 443 homes, including 363 guest builder homes and 80 custom homes on lots from .2 to 1.5 acres. Golf course designed by Schmidt-Curley and Fred Couples and located on the site of Bing Crosby’s original estate. The 35,000 sq.ft. Tuscan-style clubhouse with pool, athletic club and tennis.
Guard-gated golf community on 266 acres. 108 custom homes on lots ranging from .5 to 3+ acres. The focal point of DMCC is the 50,000sq.ft. clubhouse offering fine dining, tennis and Olympic pool. The course was designed by Joseph Lee and is beautiful to see with homes lining the fairways. Architecture of the custom homes include Mediterranean, Traditional and Country French.
Gated community of 44 homes nestled among citrus groves and hilly terrain first developed in the mid-1980’s. Homes are 4,000 to 5,500sq.ft. Three winding streets and mature foliage add to the ambience and privacy for every homeowner has.
An enclave of 134 homes built in the 1970’s and -80’s with a rural feel and most lot sizes about 1 acre. It’s a quiet and friendly neighborhood, and homeowners are renovating their homes which tells me this is a neighborhood worth watching.
Guard-gated enclave of 43 larger estates on 4 acre parcels or more. There are 2 homeowners associations, and one is for the continuity of maintenance for the citrus groves required to remain on each parcel for privacy and aesthetics.
Guard-gated community of 26 mostly Mediterranean-style homes, built primarily in the mid-80’s or early -90’s. Lots are 2+acres.
Guard-gated community established in late 90’s-early 2000’s of 146 homesites on .3 to 1+acre parcels with homes that range from 5,000-14,000sq.ft. This enclave is actually in the 92130 zip code (Carmel Valley). There are custom homes sitting atop a ridge over the San Dieguito Road with commanding views.
Gate-guarded golf community of 95 homes on .5 to 1-acre parcels and built around the Rancho Santa Fe Farms Golf Club, originally designed by Pete Dye and recently redesigned by Tom Lehman. It is a 127-acre, 6960-yard course with a handsome clubhouse.
Gated community of 30 homes and lots on 1-acre parcels. This enclave is part of the Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa (voted 1 of top 10 resorts in Zagat Survey and Tennis Magazine). The 65-acre resort has a wonderful restaurant, 43 casitas, 18 championship tennis courts, and a time-share development. These homes have the use of the hotel services, including maid and room services.
Golf community of 554 residences, including 344 condos and 210 homes on .25-acre lots. Developed in the early 1960’s, the area is built around the semi-private Morgan Run Golf Club and Resort which features golf, tennis and restaurant facilities. The gated Alcala condo complex was completed in the 1990’s. Morgan Run clubhouse and course is undergoing an extensive renovation and is a neighborhood worth investing in.
San Diego is one of a handful of worldwide locations that can boast of this beautiful Mediterranean climate. It is purported to be the most temperate climate there is. We have sun about 320 days a year, and our temperatures usually range in the 60- to 80-degree range. Summer days can be warm, but ocean breezes will cool us. (I run my air conditioning about 1 or 2 days in the summer. My house never gets hot enough to close the windows and turn on the air.) The winter sun warms us by day, and winter nights are cooler when the sun goes down.
San Diego has such a diverse population and such fabulous cultural activities. San Diego is 25 miles from Rancho Santa Fe, and about 25 minutes away via freeway.
Some of my favorite venues include:We have several renowned universities and colleges, a very strong scientific community, and a diverse population, so we have an incredible intellectual dessert tray to choose from in our beautiful San Diego County.
Because of our beautiful weather, people are out doors a lot.
How about these outdoor activities: