The Village
- Village center: shops and dining in buildings designed under Lilian Rice
- The Inn: a historic property that began as a 1923 guest house
- A historic plan: the Covenant is a California Historical Landmark
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Living in Rancho Santa Fe.
What it's like to live here.
Rancho Santa Fe is an unincorporated community in North County, just inland from Solana Beach and Encinitas. It was planned in the 1920s, with a village center designed under architect Lilian Rice, and it's known today for estate homes, eucalyptus groves and equestrian properties.
With around 3,200 residents on nearly 7 square miles, it has a quiet, open feel you won't find on the coast. Most people choose Rancho Santa Fe for the privacy, larger lots and the Village at its center.
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Where The Ultra Wealthy Live In San Diego
Median sale price$5,277,487
Median days on market81 days
Source: Redfin
Rancho Santa Fe at a glance.
LocationNorth County, inland from the coast
ZIP codes92067 and 92091
PopulationAbout 3,200
AreaAbout 6.8 square miles
StatusUnincorporated community
Nearest trainSolana Beach station
Population and area from the 2020 U.S. Census, for the Rancho Santa Fe census area.
Things to do around town.
Clubs and amenities
- Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club: one of the Association's member clubs
- Tennis Club: adult and junior tennis, plus pickleball
- Osuna Ranch: equestrian training, boarding and events
- Sports fields: two private fields for youth sports
Parks and trails
- Covenant trails: nearly 60 miles of equestrian and walking trails for residents and their guests
- The Arroyo: 68 acres of open space along the San Dieguito River
- Trail variety: forest, streamside and ocean-view stretches
Trails and clubs are run by the Rancho Santa Fe Association.
Schools
- Rancho Santa Fe Elementary: the local elementary district
- Solana Beach School District: serves some nearby areas
- San Dieguito Union High: serves grades 7 through 12
School assignments vary by address, so confirm them with the district.
Getting around.
Rancho Santa Fe is close to I-5 but sits away from it, so most trips start on quiet country roads. The nearest train service is at Solana Beach station.
Solana BeachAbout 15 minutes
Del MarAbout 15 minutes
Carmel ValleyAbout 15 minutes
Downtown San DiegoAbout 35 minutes
San Diego airportAbout 35 minutes
Train serviceCoaster and Amtrak nearby
Drive times are estimates and change with traffic.
Who Rancho Santa Fe is right for.
Rancho Santa Fe is a strong fit if you want space and privacy. Many properties sit on larger lots with mature trees, and the area feels more like the countryside than the coast just a few miles away.
It's also a great match if you love horses or the outdoors. Nearly 60 miles of trails wind through the Covenant for residents and their guests, with forest, streamside and ocean-view stretches. Osuna Ranch offers training, boarding and events, and the Arroyo adds 68 acres of open space along the San Dieguito River.
If you like a community built around clubs and a small village, you'll feel at home here. The Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club and Tennis Club are central to life in the Covenant, and the Village gives you a place for coffee, lunch and errands. Its 1920s buildings give the town a character that's hard to find in newer communities.
Rancho Santa Fe also works well if you want to stay close to the coast without living on it. Solana Beach, Del Mar and Carmel Valley are all a short drive away, and you can catch the Coaster or Amtrak at Solana Beach station.
Before you decide, keep in mind that being inside the Covenant is different from being nearby. Homes in the Covenant come with Rancho Santa Fe Association membership, rules and access to its amenities, while nearby areas may share the name but not the same benefits. If you're not sure where you'd fit best, I'm happy to walk you through the options and show you around.
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