Rancho Santa Fe General Facts
A California Historic Landmark, "the Ranch" as Rancho Santa Fe is affectionately called, is truly the land of the rich and famous. Known for its large lots, celebrity residents and world-class resorts and facilities, Rancho Santa Fe was rated by The Robb Report as the top place in the U.S. for the affluent to live. Positioned 30 miles north of San Diego and just west of Encinitas and Solana Beach, and comprised of 9.7 square miles, it’s one of the world's most prestigious communities. Rancho Santa Fe sits on the meandering San Dieguito River and is only seven miles from the pristine beaches of North San Diego County. Setting up home in the secluded canyons and rolling hills of citrus groves and corrals of Rancho Santa Fe, where few homes are visible from outside their properties, residents enjoy impressive views overlooking thousands of eucalyptus trees. The town center is "The Village" which offers business and personal services, specialty retail stores, award-winning restaurants, real estate offices and the esteemed Rancho Santa Fe Inn with its expansive lawn and surrounding flowerbeds. Within this secluded hamlet, the residents have all they need—the shops, restaurants, resort, post office, library, community center and two public schools help preserve Rancho Santa Fe’s original size and scale.

Rancho Santa Fe History
In 1845, Rancho Santa Fe was carved out of the first Spanish land grant, an area now known “the Covenant.” The land grant was made by Mexican Governor Pio Pico to Juan Maria Osuna, the original mayor of the pueblo of San Diego. Sold by the Osuna heirs in 1906 to the Santa Fe Land Company, the site was planted with eucalyptus trees to provide wood for railroad ties. When the wood was found to be unsuitable, the project was halted and community of country estates was planned. In 1922, the area was named Rancho Santa Fe, development began, and in 1928, the Covenant was designed to preserve the character of the area, as well as uphold the quality of all future architecture and improvements. In the early 1900s, Theodore Reed, movie director for the screen idol Douglas Fairbanks, suggested that Fairbanks buy land as an investment and in 1924 Fairbanks and Mary Pickford bought 800 acres. In 1977, Ray Watt, a Santa Monica developer purchased the property and created an elite community of estate sites called Fairbanks Ranch. In 1989, Rancho Santa Fe was designated as a State Historical Landmark by the government of California.

Demographics
Rancho Santa Fe, an unincorporated area of San Diego County, is home to approximately 5,000 residents with a median age of 47 and median income of more than $190,000. The majority of residents are primarily employed in either finance or professional services. The Rancho Santa Fe Association founded in 1927, maintains the preservation of the rural character of the Covenant’s approximate 6,200 acres and operates and maintains the golf course, tennis club, playing fields and riding and hiking trails for its members. It preserves the lifestyle by enforcing protective covenants and a strict architectural review of new construction and remodels. Development is limited to Spanish, Mediterranean or ranch style architecture, there are no traffic signals in town, no sidewalks and no streets are wider than two lanes. Over the years, many planned communities surrounding the Covenant have emerged including Rancho Del Lago, Whispering Palms, Del Rayo Estates, The Summit, The Bridges, Cielo, Morgan Run and Rancho Valencia. Just south of the Covenant area lies Fairbanks Ranch, an affluent community of around 2,200 residents and 620 well-manicured estate home sites, ranging from one-half to 10-acre plots. The Rancho Santa Fe School District offers exceptional education for K-8 at the R. Roger Rowe School, Solana Santa Fe Elementary and Fairbanks Country Day School. Torrey Pines High School provides a niche for every student, whether academic, social, intellectual, athletic, artistic or activity-based. Residents are also served by the Solana Beach School District and the well-respected San Dieguito Union High School District.

Points of Interest and Events
Rancho Santa Fe is a close-knit, family-oriented community with much to see and do. The community is well known for its equestrian, golf and tennis facilities. Bridle paths meander through town and some of the best equestrian facilities and trainers in the country can be found here. The Rancho Santa Fe Polo Club organizes matches from October to May. World-renowned resorts—The Inn, Rancho Valencia and Morgan Run Resort and Club—host celebrities and some of the most affluent international visitors. Some of the nation's top caliber golf courses and tennis courts include the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club and the Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club, both open to covenant residents only. Additional golf facilities are found at The Bridges, The Crosby, Del Mar Country Club, Morgan Run Resort & Club and Rancho Santa Fe Farms Golf Club. The Fairbanks Ranch Country Club sits on the grounds of the 1984 Olympic Equestrian Endurance Event. The library and garden clubs present various programs throughout the year. The town's Senior Center offers older residents dedicated transportation as well as other services. Members of the Historical Society and Association Art Jury help maintain the scenic beauty of the area, while the various service and social clubs present special events and fundraisers throughout the year. Shopping abounds in Rancho Santa Fe Village, Fairbanks Plaza and Del Rayo Plaza.

Real Estate
Rancho Santa Fe is one of the most expensive places to live in the country, with the price of homes ranging between $1.9 and $20 million+. The community was designed with condos and homes on small lots surrounding the Village, and lots of two acres or more beyond the town center. Condos in the Rancho Santa Fe area can be had for prices ranging from $900,000 to $2 million. With a shortage of buildable lots, older historic ranch-style homes are being leveled and replaced by large custom homes that meet the Covenant guidelines. Most of the almost 4,000 homes have gated entries, swimming pools and tennis courts. Real estate on the Ranch is valued not only for the grand homes that cover the rolling hills, but for the exquisite, secluded property surrounding each home with open fields, grazing horses and orange groves. Typical styles of homes include traditional Tudor, country French and Spanish Mediterranean. The restrictions, amenities and unique location of Rancho Santa Fe make this a true haven for those who can afford only the very best.

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