A Brief History of Extraordinary Rancho Santa Fe

Rancho Santa Fe, commonly known as “The Ranch,” has a long history of luxury. The community originally got its start as “Rancho San Dieguito” when it was gifted to the first alcalde, or mayor, of the Pueblo of San Diego in 1842. The mayor’s family resided in the rolling hills of the land until they sold the property at the beginning of the 20th century to the Santa Fe Railway, who eventually chose to develop the land into a community of desirable estates under the name of Rancho Santa Fe.

The Santa Fe Land and Improvement Company chose Lilian Rice of Requa and Rice architectural firm, known for her Spanish Colonial Revival and Mediterranean Revival styles, to develop their exclusive neighborhood. Rice’s architectural style still has a major influence on construction in Rancho Santa Fe today. During the development of The Ranch, the Rancho Santa Fe Association created a Protective Covenant which dictated the construction of new buildings within Rancho Santa Fe; from this covenant was born The Ranch’s third epithet, “The Covenant.”

Throughout its history, Rancho Santa Fe has been home to several celebrities, but none quite as notable or influential as Bing Crosby. Crosby purchased Osuna Ranch- a historical property renovated by Lilian Rice- in 1936 and frequently invited his Hollywood friends to his Ranch for weekends of relaxing and golf. During his time in The Ranch, Crosby began the Bing Crosby Pro-Am Tournament and helped devise the Del Mar Racetracks.

Today, Rancho Santa Fe is one of the highest income communities in the United States and home to approximately 5,000 residents nestled among the curving roads and varied hills of its 10 square miles. At the center of the Covenant stands the Village of Rancho Santa Fe, home to the historical Inn theinnatrsf.com as well as a variety of shops and restaurants. Residents of The Ranch enjoy countless privileges and amenities, including access to the Max Behr–designed Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club rsfgolfclub.com. Residents can also take advantage of the private horseback riding and hiking trails and tennis club. In addition to the comfort of its residents, a priority of the Rancho Santa Fe community is safety, which is why The Covenant employs a full–time private security patrol in addition to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and Highway Patrol.

Rancho Santa Fe is truly unique to Southern California and the entire country. Nowhere else will you find private rural communities developed to such stringent and beautiful standards; dazzling views of ocean and meadows greet the eye from every peak. Countless accommodations lie at the fingertips of residents and first-class medical care, as well as pristine beaches, are a short drive away.