San Diego’s Best Kept Secret
Rancho Santa Fe
Rancho Santa Fe Covenant is the original Rancho Santa Fe, which all the outlaying communities use the name to highlight their communities due to the prestige associated with the name Rancho Santa Fe - 92067 zip code.
Rancho Santa Fe Covenant was formed in 1928 with an association and an art jury to ensure the orderly development and retention of the ranches character. Prior to that, the 6,200 acres was owned by the Santa Fe Railroad. They planted all the Eucalyptus trees for railroad ties and later found out they planted the wrong type Eucalyptus. Santa Fe Land Company (subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railroad) hired architect Lilian Rice to plan and design a horse-oriented residential community. Infact, the heart of Rancho Santa Fe "The Village" was all designed by Lilian Rice and so too was The Inn (which just sold last year to a Chicago Reit for $100M). Lilia Rice favored Spanish Colonial Revival style. Known for its horses, the 60 miles of EQ trails are to be used by residents only for walking, running and horseback riding. The Covenant also enjoys its own award winning 19-hole private golf course for Covenant residents only (to join the golf at Covenant Club is $75K). All Covenant residents are automatically social members of the golf club and can enjoy dining and events that are held there throughout the year for residents. Bing Crosby was an early resident and was a backer in building the Covenant golf course and as a side note The Crosby Community has nothing to do with the Covenant and is only using the name for prestige purposes and marketing.
The Covenant offers 24-hour 9 guard patrol for Covenant residents only plus residents enjoy having their own Fire Station, Library and award-winning school Rowe K-8th grade (which had ranked in the top 10% of the nation for the past 20 years). The Covenant offers the ultimate Luxury - the luxury of the land, which provides residents the opportunity to add amenities such as a tennis court, pickle ball court/ sports court, pool/spa, gardens, animal keeping (one horse per acre is allowed if a resident has at least two acres). All of these added amenities still will need to be approved by the art jury. * One big addition that a lot of residents are currently making is the addition of an ADU (accessory dwelling unit). There is a CA law, due to the housing shortage in the state, that gives residents the opportunity to easily add a 1,200-SF detached structure and the legal right to lease it out. Residents are taking advantage of this law, and some are using the space for Gym/Spa areas, Office spaces, Mother-in-law home or they are leasing them out.
The Bridges in Rancho Santa Fe is a 540-acre gated golfing community featuring approximately 240 luxury homes and villas from 2,000 to 10,000+ square feet. A private retreat, this exclusive community is nestled among citrus groves, rolling foothills, lakes, canyons, and diverse vegetation that seamlessly blends creating a tranquil environment. As one of Southern California’s most exclusive golf communities, The Bridges prides itself with a championship-level golf course designed by world-renowned golf course designer Robert Trent Jones II. Additional amenities for members include access to the Golf Course, Sports Center, Tennis and Recreational Center, exquisite dining, full-service day spa, and various community events held throughout the year.
The Bridges
The Crosby is a luxurious, guard-gated community expanding over 722 acres and features 443 residences including villas, semi-custom, and custom home sites that overlook the unparalleled views of Rancho Santa Fe and the San Dieguito River Valley. With more than 190 acres of permanent open space, The Crosby maintains well-manicured landscaping, gorgeous natural settings, and a stunning lake park. Surrounding the community is an 18-hole par 70 championship private golf course with undulating greens and sweeping panoramic views. In addition, The Crosby Sports Center offers a variety of recreation options and group lessons designed to meet every individual’s needs including Yoga, Mat Pilates, Cardio Muscle, and Tennis.
The Crosby
In 1920's actors Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford purchased over 800 acres with the intent of growing orange trees and a place for respite from the busy life of a movie star.
In 1977 Ray Watt, a Santa Monica developer, purchased the property to develop a community of estates, calling it "Fairbanks Ranch" Ray Watt subdivided the land into 618 sites and started sales of the sites in 1981, making it the first guard gated community in 92067 zip code. Watt purchased more land in addition to the original 800 acres from eight different landowners to secure management of the property. Fairbanks Ranch was comprised with two components in mind residential and commercial / recreational. The commercial part was the Fairbanks Village Plaza (58,000-SF office and retail center) for residents of the community to enjoy. Another was the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club (FRCC) with 341 production homes overlooking the golf course. * You do not need to live in Fairbanks Ranch to join the golf club and it has now gone down in quality since they opened it up to members of the Pacific Athletic Club in Del Mar Heights.
In 1984 the EQ part of the Olympic Games was held at the Fairbanks Ranch Golf Club and a bronze sculpture is still on display at the entrance gate of the golf club. The club also enjoys a tennis club and small workout area for members.
Amenities for Fairbanks Ranch Estate owners only are: 40 acres of park-like grounds, a lakeside clubhouse, 17-acre EQ center with 27 horse stalls, 3 miles of fenced walking and EQ trails, 5 tennis courts & pickle ball too, children's play area all secured behind the guard gates.
There are two sides of Fairbanks Ranch guard gated community: the North side and the South side.
Fairbanks Ranch
Del Mar Country Club
Homes in this Golf Club community average 5,000-10,000 square feet in size, and were mostly constructed after 1995. A small estate community, Del Mar Country Club includes just 91 estates, along with amenities like the community clubhouse, pool, and tennis courts. Del Mar Country Club is one of the most exclusive private country clubs in Southern California. With a championship golf course, U.S. Open-styled tennis courts, state of the art fitness facilities, and exquisite restaurants, it is no wonder members find their home-away-from home at Del Mar Country Club.
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