Rancho Santa Fe Luxury Homes/Lifestyle

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Rancho Santa Fe Covenant

Approximately 1820 home sites

First planned community in California
Covers 6,200 acres
Home prices range from $1,000,000 to $23,000,000

The Rancho Santa Fe Covenant is the first and oldest development in Rancho Santa Fe, and it was started in 1922. The original proposal for developing Rancho Santa Fe called for the concept of a "high class horticultural development". The development was commissioned by the Santa Fe Land Development Company to use land they had originally acquired to grow trees for railroad ties. When this plan did not work, they decided that "...development plans should assemble a community equal in wealth, ambition and productive power to any advanced suburban developments in Southern California. Well, needless to say, the development far exceeded their greatest expectations as Rancho Santa Fe is home to the rich and famous from all over the world and has been voted a Top Affluent Community by the Robb Report based on 10 criteria: location, beauty, prestige, educational facilities, cultural attractions, family-friendliness, shopping, recreation, municipal services, and safety and general well being.

The downtown was designed by a young local lady architect named Lillian Rice to look like a picturesque Spanish village. The community was designated as State Historic Landmark (#982) in 1989 by the State of California. The Rancho Santa Fe Historical Preservation Committee's mission statement is "To preserve, maintain and enhance the architectural and natural heritage of the Covenant".

You can find huge estates, horse farms, smaller older homes or new custom homes on an average of 2 acres and some properties might have 10 or more acres. The entire area is absolutely beautiful and you can find every type of flower and tree growing along with acres of citrus groves.

The Rancho Santa Fe Schools are considered the top in San Diego and the West. The present elementary and middle schools are presently being enlarged. The average class size is 23 students.

Owners in the Covenant have access to the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Course and Club, the Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club, and the Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club. Downtown has charming boutiques, antique shops, a great library, a gourmet food market, along with the Rancho Santa Fe Community Center with activities for all ages. Many charitable events serve as entertainment for the residents and a way to mingle and get acquainted. There is a Rancho Week every fall with free entertainment and parties for all the locals. It is a very family friendly place. There is the Rancho Santa Fe Riding Club and owners can ride their horse to their homes and have someone come ride their horse back to the club. There are 50 miles of maintained horse trails weaving throughout the Covenant and some of the best horse trainers in the United States call Rancho Santa Fe home along with some of the top golfers, celebrities, and famous people.

Rancho Santa Fe is under the local governmental authority of the County of San Diego.  The County provides law enforcement by the County Sheriff’s Department and maintains the roads.  There is a separate Rancho Santa Fe Community Service District that is locally controlled that provides other services.  There is a private Rancho Santa Fe Patrol Security force. The Rancho Santa Fe Association is the homeowners’ association and it enforces the Protective Covenant which preserves the rural character of the area and its natural landscape, upholds the architectural integrity and land improvements. It also maintains the general welfare, safety, and health of its members.

It is about six miles to the La Jolla Torrey Pines Beach and the Del Mar Beach and the Del Mar Racetrack and Horseshow Park, which is considered one of the finest horseshow parks in the United States. It is located about 35 minutes from downtown San Diego and the Lindbergh Airport and about 30 minutes to the Palomar Airport, and 90 minutes to Disneyland. Depending on where you purchase in Rancho Santa Fe, you can be 5-15 minutes from the Del Mar Beaches and several shopping centers.