The Rancho Santa Fe Covenant

The Rancho Santa Fe Covenant is a Golf community of 1740 homes on 6200 acres. Homes range from 1700-20,000 sq. ft., and are priced at $900,000-$30 million. Most lots in the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant are 2+ acres. There are 85 condos starting at $700,000.

“The Covenant” refers to the original planned community of Rancho Santa Fe. At the center is a small village, including a library, civic center, school, community center, garden club, various restaurants, shops, and small businesses, and one hotel, The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Aesthetics and architecture within The Covenant are protected by an Art Jury. There is a lack of streetlights, sidewalks, and traffic lights but an abundance of winding roads that slow traffic and contribute to a relaxed, private lifestyle.

Rancho Santa Fe is proud of its rich heritage and, in 1989, Rancho Santa Fe was designated as a State Historical landmark. Originally an Indian rancheria, Juan Maria Osuna, the mayor of San Diego, took possession of the land grant called “Rancho San Dieguito” from 1836-1845. His family gradually sold off 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 unsuitable for ties, the Santa Fe Company hired architect Lillian Rice to plan and design a horse-oriented residential community. She favored the Spanish Colonial Revival style. In 1917, the completion of the Lake Hodges Dam brought water to the Rancho Santa Fe area, and construction began in 1922.

Rancho Santa Fe gained popularity between World War I and World War II. After the construction of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Bing Crosby was one of Rancho Santa Fe’s “early settlers,” hosting annual clambakes on the golf course at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. Known for its horses, The Rancho Santa Fe Covenant features 45 miles of private riding/hiking trails, as well as the Rancho Santa Fe 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. Polo is a popular pastime. Only residents of The Rancho Santa Fe Covenant are permitted to belong to the Rancho Santa Fe Golf and Tennis Club, long regarded as one of the premier golf venues in the western United States.

The Rancho Santa Fe Covenant is home to Rancho Santa Fe Elementary and Middle Schools, consistently highly-ranked public schools that are a big attraction for families. All homes in the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant are in the school district for Rancho Santa Fe Elementary and Middle Schools, with choice of high schools: Torrey Pines, San Dieguito Academy, or Canyon Crest Academy.