Rancho Santa Fe, one of the world's most prestigious communities, is the land of the powerful, rich and famous. Celebrities and persons of note find privacy in luxurious Rancho Santa Fe homes set in the seclusion of rolling hills and canyons. Residents enjoy stunning views overlooking thousands of eucalyptus trees. Horses and golfing are major hobbies, and the environment is country and rural. The Rancho Santa Fe lifestyle is preserved by an association that vigorously enforces the protective covenants and conducts strict architectural review of new construction and remodels.

For more information on the geography and climate, demography, attractions, education and services of the neighborhood, visit the Rancho Santa Fe neighborhood blog (link to neighborhood blog).

Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate

Referred to as "the Ranch," the Rancho Santa Fe community was founded in the '30s for the wealthiest of city residents. Today, the property median price has reached over $2.2 million, making the Ranch one of the wealthiest communities in the nation. Rancho Santa Fe's ZIP code (92067) was ranked second on Forbes list of most expensive zip codes for 2006, after Sagaponack, New York.

Rancho Santa Fe real estate is prized not only for the majestic and spacious homes that wrap rolling hills, but also for the grounds that surround each property which is usually an acre or more – a rarity in San Diego. Residents obtain their privacy through the two-acre minimum zoning rule. Open fields, grazing horses, and rustling eucalyptus groves and orange groves roll over the intricate lands. This is the last of the rural lands close to the Pacific, just a few miles to the West.

Planning and respect for the environment have been hallmarks of the Protective Covenant, adopted in 1927, from the beginning. The Covenant requires homeowners' associations to preserve the rural character of the community and its natural landscape, and to uphold the quality of architectural and land improvement. Planned by a local architect Lillian Rice, the Rancho Santa Fe neighborhood is guided by aesthetics and meticulous design even today. Aesthetics and architecture within the Covenant are protected by an Art Jury, a non-governmental organization which must approve any exterior alteration to any building, fence, sidewalk, or other structure. The winding roads were laid out to slow down drivers and ensure that they would enjoy the scenery. The Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture was standard for all the public buildings – schools, the library, the Inn and the civic center.

The neighborhood's downtown is centered on the intersection of Linea Del Cielo/ Paseo Delicias and La Granada/ Via De Santa Fe. It is the site of offices of financial firms, restaurants and small stores, a library and a school. Outside this area, Rancho Santa Fe is solely residential save a number of golf courses and country clubs. The Rancho Santa Fe Covenant area covers approximately 6,200 acres and approximately 1,830 residential building sites, 320 of which are unimproved. It is estimated that the maximum number of building sites that could exist under current zoning restrictions is 2,256.

As the area developed, communities have sprung up around the Covenant, each generally with its own homeowners' association. The Ranch is comprised of the Covenant and 46 other communities including The Bridges, Fairbanks Ranch, Rancho Del Lago, The Crosby Estate, Rancho Valencia, The Farms, Hacienda Santa Fe, and Cielo.

Rancho Santa Fe Homes

Rancho Santa Fe's rural feel has been zealously guarded for 74 years by a strict set of rules, called the Protective Convenant. The minimum lot size established by the covenant – two acres – ensures that the homes in Rancho Santa Fe are private and highly desirable. Most Rancho Santa Fe homes are 2 to 4 acres, with some up to 30 acres. The Ranch homes are styled in traditional Tudor, Country French, Spanish, Mediterranean or Ranch-style plans and must meet standards set by a design board that calls itself the Art Jury, which strives to ensure that even 18,000 square-foot buildings blend into the landscape of Rancho Santa Fe. Winding driveways lead to the traditionally styled homes flanked by fragrant, citrus and native foliage. Elaborate landscaping protects the privacy integral to the way of life of Rancho Santa Fe. Home views are not of the ocean but to the hills facing East instead.

The original simple Ranch-style homes today are often giving way to estates. The present-day luxury tract home development "The Crosby Estates" stands on the site of Bing Crosby's former estate. With the shortage of buildable lots, older historic ranch-style homes are being razed and replaced by large custom homes that meet strict architectural review. Most Rancho Santa Fe homes have gated entries, swimming pools and tennis courts.

Rancho Santa Fe homes have strict design restrictions. Many streets outside of the downtown area are lined with landscaping; on side-streets the landscaping of individual properties provides ambient decor. Very few homes in the Ranch are visible from the road. There's no home mail delivery (each Rancho property-owner is assigned a post office box reflecting the original developers' goals of security and privacy), and streetlights and sidewalks are banned from residential areas to enhance the sense of country life. However, few residents complain. On the contrary, they think that the Rancho Santa Fe neighborhood is the greatest place to live in the world. Many properties have sewer connections, but there also are septic tanks on individual properties, as well as above-ground power lines.

Home Listings

Currently there are 5 condos and 218 detached homes in Rancho Sante Fe that are available. The following table gives the break up of owner-occupied, rented and vacant homes in Rancho Santa Fe.

According to realtor Jim Scott, since Jan 1, 2006, 115 single family detached properties sold in the Ranch ranging from $975K in Whispering Palms to $15.99 million. The average property had 4 BR, 4.73 BA and the time on market was 109 days.

For luxury home listings, The Willis Allen Company is a good place to start searching. Realtor.com also offers Rancho Santa Fe real estate listings, realtors, mortgage rates, home loans, and home buying help.

Home Prices

Rancho Santa Fe was the most expensive place to buy a house in the United States in 2005. The median single-family home price was $1.7 million, according to DataQuick Information Systems of San Diego. For many years, home prices in Southern California have climbed at a steady average of 20% a year, which is a lot of appreciation. Increases in equity have slowed down for now, but houses in the area are still appreciating at a good rate.

In the last six months there were 125 sales of $1 million+ Rancho Santa Fe homes, making the neighborhood truly a haven for those who can afford the very best. Buyers will often pay more than $1 million just for a prime vacant home site to build a custom home. According to San Diego MLS, home prices in Rancho Santa Fe start from:

According to realtor Jim Scott, since Jan 1, 2006, the average property was listed for $3,338,900, $618 per square foot, and sold for $3,077,900, $577 per square foot. The average differential between list price and sold price was $41 per square foot. New construction in the Covenant is selling in the range of $800 per square foot to a little over $1000 per square foot.

With inventory at higher levels than previous years and the market slightly softer, since recent home prices have flattened out, experts believe that this is a good chance to make a deal on that special estate. According to realtor Marcia Asbeck, local experts predict that interest rates will climb by 1% this year and property values will increase by 4-5% over the same period. So with more inventories to choose from and still low interest rates to lock in, buyers are in a good position to find a terrific home and investment.

The Ranch is truly the land of the rich and famous. "To buy a property up here you have to invest a lot of money," said Keith Behner, Rancho Santa Fe's planning director. "But once you invest a lot of money, you don't have to worry about a McMansion going up next door that's flamingo red." Indeed, with its top schools, an active community center, equestrian centers, a number of outstanding golf courses, scenic Country beauty and rural lifestyle, the Ranch is definitely the place to be.