Rancho Santa Fe Covenant

A remote, rural lifestyle can be hard to find within the sphere of any large city or metropolitan area. In most parts of the country, you must venture many miles and hours outside of town to find the perfect mix of seclusion and luxury. Rancho Santa Fe, however—situated in the heart of San Diego's North Coastal County region—is a community that demands attention from those seeking a private, upscale way of life.

 

Located a 30-minute drive from San Diego and a mere 15 minutes from the oceanfront enclave of Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe offers homeowners easy access to San Diego's most popular areas without being in the midst of the hustle and bustle.

 

Almost exclusively residential, the community's homes are the definition of grand estate living. Many are akin to private compounds, with large multi-acre lots, expansive 5,000+-square-foot floorplans, and amenities and views that make the seven- and eight-figure asking prices well worth the investment.

 

• Private estate living close to San Diego and the Pacific Ocean
• The near century-old private Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club
• Over 7,000 acres of lush, rolling landscape
• Proximity to a number of gated, exclusive golf course communities
  
  

Best described as a collection of private, gated enclaves, Rancho Santa Fe draws an eclectic roster of homeowners, including well-known business people, celebrities, and athletes. Former and current residents include entrepreneurs Bill Gates and Jenny Craig, golfers Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, and larger-than-life figures such as Howard Hughes and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

 

Rancho Santa Fe is indeed a vacation home destination. Roughly half of all homes here are primary residences, with many being an owner's second or third home. The most sought after neighborhoods include The Bridges, The Covenant, The Crosby Club, Del Mar Country Club, and Fairbanks Ranch.

 

One of Rancho Sante Fe's most desirable traits is its seclusion. Far from the dense environs of the big city or crowded lots of more suburban outposts, you also won't see a hurried lifestyle, and that includes nightlife.

 

What you trade in return for privacy is refined, upscale dining and shopping. The Village of Rancho Santa Fe serves as the community's central commercial space and features several shops and restaurants. Favorite eateries include the Thyme in the Ranch cafe, French-inspired Mille Fleurs, and the Italian Nick & G's.

 

The most notable attraction within the community is the history-laden 18-hole championship course at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. Its design, walkability, and lineage make it one of the most renowned courses in California. Bing Crosby hosted the celebrity clambake here from 1937 to 1942, a precursor to the modern-day AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The club also has 12 tennis courts.

 

Other golfing opportunities in the area include The Bridges, The Crosby Club, Del Mar Country Club, Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, The Farms Golf Club, and Morgan Run Club and Resort.

 

A central feature of Rancho Santa Fe is The Covenant, an exclusive residential area at the heart of Rancho Santa Fe's original footprint. Encompassing most (but not all) of Rancho Santa Fe, residents of The Covenant are afforded access to 60 miles of pedestrian, hiking, and equestrian trails and 68 acres of open space at Rancho Santa Fe Arroyo.

 

Rancho Santa Fe is home to a number of excellent schools. Some of the most celebrated educational opportunities include: