Rancho Santa Fe Homes For Sale
In north San Diego County, nestled in the lush countryside four miles from the beautiful Pacific Ocean is the upscale and exclusive community of Rancho Santa Fe. The history of the area as a residential community dates back to the 1800s when the Mexican Alcalde of the Pueblo of San Deigo received an land grant that included portions of the then, Rancho San Dieguito. In 1906 the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway acquired the majority of the original land grant. The original railroad purpose for the land was a tree farm source for railroad ties. To this end, the railroad planted millions of eucalyptus seedlings. While they were unsuitable for railroad ties and the project was abandoned, the trees changed the look and feel of the area forever. It is in this area of wooded rolling hills that a planned community of gentlemen¿¿¿s ranches emerged as a means for the railroad to recoup its losses. The exclusivity they imagined is still a reality today.
To create and maintain the atmosphere of the development a downtown district was designed and built in the tradition of a Spanish village in 1922. All purchasers of property in rancho santa fe homes for sale were required to agree to deed restrictions that required they conform to design controls. The Rancho Sante Fe Covenant was passed by landowners in 1926 to maintain the deed restrictions and the developing architectural theme. It is a contract between the property owners and the Rancho Santa Fe Association. Rancho Santa Fe is one the oldest active planned communities in California. The Covenant continues to function to this day. Additionally, the State of California recognized the community by designating it as a Historic Landmark and as a California Cultural Landmark.
Rancho Santa Fe experienced its biggest popularity gain between World War I and World War II. The construction of the Del Mar Racetrack was a major catalyst for the increase in residents. Bing Crosby was one of the first high profile settlers and the Crosby Estates, a present-day luxury development, is located on the site of his former estate.
Today you will experience the same look and feel to the community as the founders experienced when the first ranches were constructed. Lot sizes range from 5,000 square feet to over 30 acres though typical lot sizes are in the one to four acre range and they won¿¿¿t be cheap. Forbes magazine reported Rancho Santa Fe as being the third most expensive zip code in the United States. While you will wait in long lines to try to get a parking spot at the post office and experience heavy morning and afternoon commuter traffic your neighbor could be a famous musician, actor, athlete, politician or entrepreneur. The location is in close proximity to the beautiful Pacific Ocean, as well as the cities of San Diego and Los Angeles.
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