Rancho Santa Fe Covenant

Extending over 6200 acres of rolling hills of citrus, eucalyptus, and country estates, the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant is located just 25 minutes north of downtown San Diego and 5 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. Locally known as “The Ranch”, this very special community is rich in history and in 1989 it was designated as a State Historical Landmark. Originally an Indian Rancheria, the land was granted to Jaun Maria Osuna, the mayor of San Diego in the mid-1800’s. His family gradually sold off portions of the land and in 1906 a subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railway purchased all of the land to plant Eucalyptus trees for use as railroad ties. When the trees proved to be unsuitable for ties, the Santa Fe Company hired architect Lillian Rice to plan and design a horse-oriented residential community designed around the Spanish Colonial Revival style. In 1917, the completion of the Lake Hodges Dam brought water to the area and construction began in 1922. The Rancho Santa Fe Covenant gained much popularity between WWI and WWII. Upon completion of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Bing Crosby was one of “The Ranch’s” early residents and was known for holding annual clambakes on the golf course at the club.

Amenities

• Known for its incredible horse amenities, the Covenant features 45 miles of private riding/hiking trails, as well as the RSF Riding Club and Saddle Club. Some of the finest horse trainers in the country live here, and the area was the site for the equestrian events during the 1984 Olympics.
• The Rancho Santa Fe Golf Course is regarded as one of the premier golf venues in the Western United States and only Covenant homeowners are permitted to join.The Tennis Club right next door features 12 courts, a club house, and an active membership program for both adults and children.
• Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club founded in 1962, is dedicated to “beautification, horticulture, philanthropy, education, culture, and civic activities”. Its 1800 square foot building was constructed in 1975 and provides an ideal setting for membership functions.
• The Library Guild raises money to provide many services to the Rancho Santa Fe Library. It owns and maintains the land, the building and all of the furniture in the library. The guild owns and runs “The Book Cellar” whose proceeds help fund guild activities. Rancho Youth is one of its most popular organizations. The Holcombe Memorial Youth Center, built with donated funds in 1975, and supported by school and membership dues, is the center of athletic and recreational activities for both children and adults, and is also used as the school gymnasium.
• Besides the multitude of activities sponsored by Rancho Youth, the Association provides a soccer field and the Richardson Park for Little League baseball. The children’s section of the library is one of the finest in the country with over 10,000 books, a computer center, and separate reading room. Children’s art exhibits, as well as educational classes enhance the overall facility. The Covenant is the home of the Rancho Santa Fe Elementary and Middle Schools, highly ranked public schools which are a big attraction for families.
• Burglary, fire, and medical alarms throughout the Ranch are monitored by the department’s sophisticated communication center 24 hours a day. The Rancho Santa Fe Security Patrol is funded by the Association and is directed through the fire station. Law enforcement in the Ranch is through the County Sheriff’s Department.