Rancho Santa Fe, California

Rancho Santa Fe
Census-designated place
Nickname:  The Ranch
Location in San Diego County, California.
Rancho Santa Fe Location in the United States Show map of San Diego County, California Rancho Santa Fe Rancho Santa Fe (southern California) Show map of southern California Rancho Santa Fe Rancho Santa Fe (California) Show map of California Rancho Santa Fe Rancho Santa Fe (the United States) Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 33°1′26″N 117°12′0″W
Country	United States
State	California
County	San Diego
Area [1]
• Total	6.788 sq mi (17.581 km^2)
• Land	6.715 sq mi (17.392 km^2)
• Water	0.073 sq mi (0.189 km^2)  1.07%
Elevation [2]	246 ft (75 m)
Population  (April 1, 2020)
• Total	3,156
• Density	460/sq mi (180/km^2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific Time Zone)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP codes	92067, 92091
Area code	858
FIPS code	06-59584
GNIS feature IDs	247968, 2409138
California Historical Landmark
Reference no.	982[3]

Rancho Santa Fe is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California, United States, within the San Diego metropolitan area. The population was 3,156 at the 2020 census. The CDP is primarily residential with a few shopping blocks, a middle and elementary school, and several restaurants.

Rancho Santa Fe borders the Fairbanks Ranch gated community to the southeast, Solana Beach to the southwest, and Encinitas to the west.

History

In 1841, Rancho San Dieguito, as it was originally named, was a Mexican land grant of 8,824 acres (35.71 km²) from Governor Pío Pico of Alta California to Juan Maria Osuna, the first alcalde (mayor) of the Pueblo of San Diego.^[4]

In 1906, the Santa Fe Railway, a subsidiary of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, purchased the entire land grant to plant a Blue gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) tree plantation for use as railroad ties, but the wood proved too soft to hold railroad spikes. The railroad then formed the Santa Fe Land Improvement Company to develop a planned community of country estates, and 6,200 acres (25 km²) developed from the original Rancho San Dieguito land grant were renamed "Rancho Santa Fe" in 1922.^{[citation needed]}

In 1921, architect Lilian Rice, working under Requa and Jackson, was chosen to develop the community's master plan. Rice worked through to 1927, designing, supervising, and constructing the village center, as well as several homes.^[5] The basics of the original Lilian Rice land plan are in effect to this day, and the resulting low density high green space community is unique in Southern California.

In 1923, the Santa Fe Land Company constructed a guest house called "La Morada" to house potential land purchasers. It was renamed in 1941, as "The Inn", when it was purchased by a private owner.^[6]

From 1937 to 1947, Bing Crosby hosted a golf tournament known as the "Bing Crosby Clambake" at the Rancho Santa Fe Country Club. Crosby's golf tournaments, which included Hollywood celebrities matched against professionals, drew great crowds to the area. After 1947, the tournament was moved to the Monterey Peninsula, not far from San Francisco.^[7]

In 1989, "The Covenant" of Rancho Santa Fe was registered as California Historical Landmark #982 for its status as a historic planned community.^[3]

In 1996, the religious cult Heaven's Gate began renting a mansion in Rancho Santa Fe which, in March 1997, became the site of the group's mass suicide.^[8]

In 2007, the Witch Fire caused significant damage to Rancho Santa Fe, damaging or destroying over 80 homes.^[9]

Geography

Rancho Santa Fe is located at 33°1′26″N 117°12′0″W (33.023943, -117.200110).^[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.8 square miles (18 km²). 6.7 square miles (17 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) of it (1.07%) is water.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Rancho Santa Fe has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.^[11]

The climate of Rancho Santa Fe is, for the most part, typical of the San Diego metropolitan area though its higher elevation and inland location lends itself to larger temperature variations.

Demographics

2010

At the 2010 census Rancho Santa Fe had a population of 3,117. The population density was 459.2 inhabitants per square mile (177.3/km²). The racial makeup of Rancho Santa Fe was 2,910 (93.4%) White, 10 (0.3%) African American, 1 (0.0%) Native American, 87 (2.8%) Asian, 4 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 45 (1.4%) from other races, and 60 (1.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 176 people (5.6%).^[12]

The whole population lived in households, no one lived in non-institutionalized group quarters and no one was institutionalized.

There were 1,195 households, 364 (30.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 848 (71.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 62 (5.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 33 (2.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 23 (1.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 9 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 213 households (17.8%) were one person and 124 (10.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61. There were 943 families (78.9% of households); the average family size was 2.93.

The age distribution was 724 people (23.2%) under the age of 18, 142 people (4.6%) aged 18 to 24, 332 people (10.7%) aged 25 to 44, 1,178 people (37.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 741 people (23.8%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 51.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.

There were 1,391 housing units at an average density of 204.9 per square mile, of the occupied units 1,010 (84.5%) were owner-occupied and 185 (15.5%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 12.3%. 2,674 people (85.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 443 people (14.2%) lived in rental housing units.

The median household income was $188,859. Males had a median income of over $153,512 versus $71,667 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $125,367. 3.2% of the population and 2.1% of families were below the poverty line. 2.3% under the age of 18 and 9.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

2000

At the 2000 census there were 3,252 people in 1,204 households, including 947 families, in the CDP. The population density was 476.2 inhabitants per square mile (183.9/km²). There were 1,339 housing units at an average density of 196.1 units per square mile (75.7 units/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.33% White, 0.46% African American, 0.15% Native American, 2.77% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.15% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.32%.^[13]

Of the 1,204 households 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.4% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 17.9% of households were one person and 11.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 25.9% under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 17.7% from 25 to 44, 33.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% 65 or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.

The median household income was in excess of $200,000, as was the median family income. Males had a median income of over $150,000 versus $86,933 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $113,132; and was the second wealthiest community in the United States.^[14] 3.5% of the population and 2.0% of families were below the poverty line. 4.4% under the age of 18 and 5.5% of those 65 and older was living below the poverty line.

Politics

Rancho Santa Fe is a stronghold of the Republican Party in San Diego County.^[15] In the 2008 Presidential Election, its voters chose John McCain over Barack Obama with 66.61%, significantly higher than the county-wide average of 43.79%.^[16] The community approved of California Proposition 8 with 57.57%,^[17] while Proposition 4 passed with 53.06% of the vote.^[18]

In the California State Legislature, Rancho Santa Fe is in the 38th Senate District, represented by Democrat Catherine Blakespear, and in the 77th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Tasha Boerner.^[19]

In the United States House of Representatives, Rancho Santa Fe is located in California's 50th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D+14 and is represented by Democrat Scott Peters.^[20]

Education

Rancho Santa Fe is serviced by the following school districts:^[21]

• Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School District
• Solana Beach School District (Pre-K through Grade 6)
• San Dieguito Union High School District (Grade 7 through Grade 12)

The public library in Rancho Santa Fe is a branch of the San Diego County Library system,^[22] and is open to all California residents. The Rancho Santa Fe Library Guild owns the building and land that house the Rancho Santa Fe Library, as well as providing the staff for the children's room.

Notable residents

• Warren Barton, former English football player^[23]
• Bud Black, manager of Colorado Rockies, major league pitcher from 1981 to 1995, manager of San Diego Padres 2007–2015^[24]
• Drew Brees, NFL quarterback, lived in Rancho Santa Fe between 2003 and 2012^[25]
• Tom Chino, farmer
• John H. Cox, businessman and politician^[26]
• Jenny Craig, founder of Jenny Craig Inc.^[27]
• Steve Finley, former major league baseball player^[28]
• Taylor Fritz, professional tennis player^[29]
• Bill Gates, entrepreneur, software executive, philanthropist and former chairman of Microsoft^[30]
• Jonathan Goldsmith, actor
• Gordon Hayward, professional basketball player, lived in Rancho Santa Fe between 2015 and 2020^[31]
• Charley Hoffman, professional golfer, San Diego native
• Trevor Hoffman, former professional baseball player^[32]
• Robert Herring owner of Herring Networks
• Kyle Hurt, professional baseball player
• Travis Lee, former professional baseball player
• Quentin Jammer, former professional football player
• Jelena Janković, Serbian professional tennis player^[33]
• Kawhi Leonard, professional basketball player^[34]
• Mike Love, Beach Boys singer and songwriter^[35]
• Jamie Lovemark, professional golfer
• Phil Mickelson, professional golfer^[36]
• John Moores, philanthropist, former owner of San Diego Padres, former regent of University of California^[37]
• Bill Murray, actor
• Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of Iran
• Philip Rivers, professional football player^[38]
• Ace Frehley, former Kiss guitarist
• Andrew Viterbi, Communication engineer, Qualcomm founder
• CoCo Vandeweghe, women's tennis player.
• Troy Polamalu, former professional football player
• Arnold Schwarzenegger, former professional body builder, actor and governor of California (vacation home)
• Richard Simmons, actor and weight loss guru
• Tiger Woods, professional golfer (vacation home)

Notable former residents

• Jackson D. Arnold, retired Admiral, USN^[39]
• Glen Bell, founder of Taco Bell^[40]
• Clair Burgener, former congressman^[41]
• Bing Crosby, actor, singer^[42]
• Sidney Frank, liquor promotions billionaire^[43]
• Howard Hughes, business magnate, investor, aviator, aerospace engineer, film maker and philanthropist^{[citation needed]}
• Joan Kroc, philanthropist and widow of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc^[44]
• George J. Lewis, actor, best known for playing Don Alejandro de la Vega in the 1950s television series Zorro^[45]
• Victor Mature, stage, film and television actor^[46]
• Patti Page, stage, film, television, recording artist
• Lilian Jennette Rice, early 20th-century architect, designed The Inn and civic center of Rancho Santa Fe, plus homes that hold a historic designation^[5]
• Pete Rozelle, former commissioner of the NFL^[47]
• Milburn Stone, actor, "Doc Adams" on the TV series Gunsmoke^{[citation needed]}
• John Paxton, actor
• Bill Paxton, actor
• Preston M. Fleet, WD-40, Reuben H Fleet Science Center and Planetarium, IMAX/Omni Max Hearst Castle.

References

1. "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files – Places – California". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Rancho Santa Fe". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
3. "Rancho Santa Fe". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
4. "[Diseño del Rancho San Dieguito : Calif.] / S. Argúello". Content.cdlib.org. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
5. Ray Brandes (August 1990). "Lilian Rice Designed Buildings in Rancho Santa Fe MPS".
6. "The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe's Beginnings Are Woven Into the History of California" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 8, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
7. "How the Bing Crosby Clambake, Now the AT&T Pro-Am Golf Tournament, Changed Golf". Bleacher Report.
8. "GROUP: 39 Found Dead in Apparent Suicide". The Los Angeles Times. March 27, 1997. Retrieved June 1, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Witch Creek Fire Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District Damage Assessment by Area" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 4, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
11. "Rancho Santa Fe, California Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
12. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Rancho Santa Fe CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. Sam Roberts (October 1, 2004). Who We Are Now: The Changing Face of America in the 21st Century. Henry Holt and Company. p. 186. ISBN 978-0-8050-7080-4.
    Yves Gerem (March 2004). A Marmac Guide to Dallas. Pelican Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-58980-199-8.
15. Orlovsky, Christina; Blair, Graham; Radack, Lauren (March 2006). "The Best Places to Live (In San Diego)". San Diego Magazine. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
16. "San Diego County Presidential Results by Community - Jim's Blog". Jamesewelch.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
17. "San Diego County Proposition 8 Results by Community - Jim's Blog". Jamesewelch.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
18. "San Diego County Proposition 4 Results by Community - Jim's Blog". Jamesewelch.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
19. "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
20. "California's 50th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
21. "2020 census - school district reference map: San Diego County, CA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. pp. 2, 5 (PDF pp. 3, 6/7). Retrieved December 21, 2024. - Text list
22. "San Diego County Library". Sdcl.org. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
23. "Warren Barton's house in Rancho Santa Fe, CA (Google Maps)". Virtualglobetrotting.com. May 20, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
24. Associated Press. "Padres hire Angels coach Bud Black as manager", ESPN, November 9, 2006.
25. "Drew Brees' House (former)". Virtualglobetrotting.com. February 26, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
26. Tash, Joe (May 8, 2018). "RSF businessman's fortunes rise in governor's race". Rancho Santa Fe Review. Rancho Santa Fe, CA.
27. Wedemeyer, Jessica (April 30, 2010). "Jenny Craig's Horse Racing in the Kentucky Derby". People Magazine. Archived from the original on May 3, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
28. "Steve Finley's House in Rancho Santa Fe, CA (Google Maps) (#2)". Virtualglobetrotting.com. August 12, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
29. "Taylor Fritz - Overview - ATP World Tour - Tennis". Atpworldtour.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
30. "Bill Gates' house in Rancho Santa Fe, CA (Google Maps) (#6)". Virtualglobetrotting.com. June 15, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
31. "Celtics' Gordon Hayward sheds Rancho Santa Fe estate for $3.9 million". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
32. "Padres great Trevor Hoffman sells his home field in Rancho Santa Fe". Los Angeles Times. June 6, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
33. "Jelena Jankovic's House in Rancho Santa Fe, CA (Google Maps)". Virtualglobetrotting.com. June 4, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
34. Leitereg, Neal J. (January 24, 2019). "NBA star Kawhi Leonard slams down $13.3 million for Rancho Santa Fe home". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
35. Love, Mike (October 5, 2012). "Mike Love sets the record straight on Brian Wilson's 'firing'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
36. Strege, John. "Mickelson finally sells 'other' Rancho Santa Fe house for $5.7 million - Golf Digest". Golfdigest.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
37. "John Moores' House in Rancho Santa Fe, CA". Virtualglobetrotting.com. January 7, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
38. "Chargers QB Philip Rivers commuting from San Diego to L.A." Espn.com. July 27, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
39. "JACKSON D. ARNOLD". San Diego Union Tribune. December 23, 2007.
40. Hevesi, Dennis (January 18, 2010). "Glen W. Bell Jr., Founder of Taco Bell, Dies at 86". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
41. Under the direction of the Joint Committee on Printing ... Andrew R. Dodge ..., eds. in chief, ed. (2005). Biographical directory of the United States Congress : 1774-2005 ; the Continental Congress, Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 21, 1788, and the Congress of the United States from the First through the One Hundred Eighth Congresses, March 4, 1789 to Jan. 3, 2005 inclusive ([2005 ed., closing date of compilation, January 3, 2005] ed.). Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O. p. 458. ISBN 9780160731761.
42. Gorman, Tom (June 11, 1988). "Court Sells Historic Rancho Santa Fe Spread". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
43. "Vodka king enjoys giving money away - Taipei Times". Taipeitimes.com. January 2, 2005. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
44. "Kroc Leaves NPR Record Gift". Npr.org. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
45. Magers, Donna. "Serial Report Chapter 21-Danny Morton, Drums of Fu Manchu, Henry Brandon, George J. Lewis". Westernclippings.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
46. "From the Archives: Victor Mature, Beefcake Star of '40s and '50s, Dies". Los Angeles Times. August 10, 1999.
47. Wallace, William N. (December 7, 1996). "Pete Rozelle, 70, Dies; Led N.F.L. in its Years of Growth". The New York Times.