San Diego Communities

Rancho Santa Fe
Please visit our new Rancho Santa Fe Website at: www.RanchoSantaFeNow.com

Prehistory to the 1900's
As with many communities in Southern California, Rancho Santa Fe's first residents were Native Americans. For some 10,000 years, the area's rolling hills, the adjacent San Dieguito River Valley and the nearby coastal lagoons served as seasonal home to bands of hunter-gatherers. Juan Cabrillo's discovery of San Diego and Gaspar de Portola's expedition in 1769 opened the era of Spanish colonization and subsequent Mexican rule.

In 1833, Juan Osuna, the Mexican Alcalde of the Pueblo of San Diego, secured a provisional grant of land that included portions of Rancho Santa Fe (then Rancho San Dieguito). The Rancho had previously been administered by the padres of the Mission San Diego. The Osuna family built several adobe structures and raised cattle on the land. In 1845, Mexico's last California governor, Pio Pico, confirmed an 8,825 acre land grant––the Rancho San Dieguito––in favor of Osuna.

Santa Fe Land Improvement Company Years
I n 1906, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, through its subsidiary Santa Fe Land Improvement Company, acquired the majority of the original Rancho San Dieguito land grant. Through many of its actions, the Company was to leave an indelible mark on the Rancho. Intent on developing a tree farm as a source for railroad ties, the company planted millions of eucalyptus seedlings on the rambling land grant. Frost, drought and the unsuitability of the wood for ties led to the abandonment of the forestry experiment. However, the eucalyptus plantings forever changed the character of the area. What was once a typical Southern California terrace, sage scrub environment was now heavily wooded, rolling hills. Looking to recoup their losses on the failed timber venture, the Santa Fe Land Improvement Company began the development of a planned community of gentlemen's ranches with a thematic unity of architectural style and an ambiance evocative of the Spanish and Rancho eras.

Towards this end, L.G. Sinnard, a renowned land expert, was hired as manager of the Santa Fe Land Improvement Company in 1921. Sinnard and his staff spent the next five years plotting estate subdivisions and laying out and constructing some fifty miles of winding rural roadways. Also beginning in 1921, all purchasers of Ranch property were required to agree to design controls in the form of deed restrictions.

In 1922, the Company hired the architectural firm of Requa and Jackson to design the downtown Civic Center. Led by architect Lilian Rice, the Civic Center was designed as a mixed use, public/commercial/residential area and developed architecturally in the Spanish Revival style as interpreted by Rice. The architectural tone and style of all future development in Rancho Santa Fe was set by Rice's adaptive creation of a picturesque Spanish village. Rice went on to design many residences in the Ranch and maintained overall design review control on behalf of the Land Improvement Company for many years.

The Adoption of the Protective Covenant In 1926, the Santa Fe Land Improvement Company hired Charles Cheney, a nationally renowned city planner and the author of the Palos Verdes Protective Covenant. Building on his previous work, Cheney modified the Palos Verdes document to reflect the larger estate-sized lots, the Hispanic design motif and the influence of citrus agriculture and horsekeeping found in Rancho Santa Fe.

In 1928 Ranch property owners, desiring to maintain the 1921 deed restrictions and the community's developing architectural theme, formally adopted Cheney's Rancho Santa Fe Protective Covenant. The Covenant formally restricted and controlled the use, development and maintenance of all land and improvements within the Ranch in perpetuity. Its adoption marked the culmination of the process of institutionalizing the planned community concept which had originally begun in the form of deed restrictions in 1921.

Based on the original deed restrictions which were aimed at achieving the unifying goals of an articulated master plan, Rancho Santa Fe became one of the first planned communities in California. Rancho Santa Fe is certainly the oldest active California planned community which continues to function with unique broad-reaching powers and authority.

Preserving the History of Rancho Santa Fe
The State of California recognized Rancho Santa Fe's historical significance in 1989 by designating the community as a State Historic Landmark (#982) and further amending that designation in 2004 with California Cultural Landmark status. Both of these designations were largely due to Rancho Santa Fe's role as a model for planned communities as well as its development of an adaptive thematic design tradition as established in the Village and their strict adherence to the plan and theme through the ensuing years.

In 1991, the Historic American Building Survey, in a partnership of Federal and community-generated funding, completed survey of Village buildings. The survey documented the architecture, structural characteristics and use history of many of the Village buildings. The results of the survey have been conveyed to the Library of Congress.

In addition, a total of nine buildings and homes within the community have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. While many of these are historically significant Village buildings, there are also several estate homes included on the Register. The Association continues to work in close cooperation with the Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society to heighten the awareness of the community's historic heritage and to preserve historic resources.

The Association Board established the Rancho Santa Fe Historical Preservation Committee in 2004, and the Committee has adopted as its mission statement,"To preserve, maintain and enhance the architectural and natural heritage of the Covenant."

All content by the The Rancho Santa Fe Association


< Back

San Diego's nearest coastal neighbor to the north is the seaside city of Del Mar (which in Spanish means, “of the sea.”). The city got its start in the late 1880s when the Southern California Railroad connected the cities of San Bernardino and San Diego. Two businessmen independently decided to build resorts in what is now Del Mar.

Though these first resorts didn't last long, another hotel – the Stratford Inn – was built in 1910, and Del Mar's reputation as a vacation spot for the Hollywood elite was born. In the 1930s, when the County Fairgrounds was established in Del Mar, a group of Hollywood insiders led by Bing Crosby began the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club horse racing season. Del Mar's beautiful beaches, elegant hotels and dining, and intimate atmosphere make it a popular tourist destination. From the start of the San Diego County Fair in mid-June to the end of the thoroughbred racing season in September, Del Mar is the place to be in San Diego County. There's plenty to do at the Fairgrounds the rest of the year, too, making Del Mar a great place to base a Southern California vacation.

The web site links below will get you started in planning a visit to Del Mar. Please see the Hotels page for web site links to area lodging.

The City of Del Mar
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Del Mar Regional Chamber of Commerce
Del Mar Village Association

< Back

Encinitas is a coastal city in northern San Diego County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,014. It is located about 40 km (25 mi) north of San Diego, and about 150 km (95 mi) south of Los Angeles.

The city was incorporated in 1986 from the communities of Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Olivenhain. These communities retain their identities, and their distinctive flavors.

The largest single industry is the growing of ornamental flowers, particularly poinsettias.

The City is governed by a five-member City Council, elected at-large to staggered four-year terms at two-year intervals.

Districts

Encinitas can be divided into five areas:

• Leucadia, which has an older downtown area featuring retail stores, hotels, and restaurants along with single family homes;
• New Encinitas a newer region which features a golf course, larger tract homes and a shopping center, the homes in this area are at a higher value;
• Old Encinitas, a small beachside area featuring a mix of businesses and housing styles;
• Olivenhain, a semi-rural region in eastern Encinitas mostly comprised of single family homes.
• Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas' southernmost oceanfront community, which features single family homes and a community college.

Climate

The climate is very mild. Average daily high temperature is 72°F (22°C). Temperatures below 40°F and above 85°F (outside the 5°C to 30°C range) are rare. Average rainfall is about 250 mm (10 in) per year.

Points of interest

• Quail Botanical Gardens
• Self-Realization Fellowship temple
• La Paloma Theater ( http://www.lapalomatheatre.com/)

< Back

Coronado is a small “island” town in San Diego Bay, approximately 7.4 square miles in size, connected to the City of San Diego by the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and to the City of Imperial Beach to the south by State Highway 75.  The town is the neighbor of Naval Base Coronado which includes Naval Air Station North Island, home port for two aircraft carriers and the Naval Amphibious Base where the elite SEALS are trained.

Downtown Coronado boasts unique shops and many restaurants serving residents and visitors.  Three destination resorts and many small hotels offer a variety of accommodations.  And our award-winning beach, recently ranked second best in the country by the Travel Channel, is a special jewel.

Currently, our City is engaged in several capital improvement projects that will improve the quality of life for Coronado’s residents and visitors. The Glorietta Bay Civic Center and Promenade includes a new Community Center and City Hall connected by a park along a beautiful bay shoreline.  Our library remodel and expansion is also in full swing. 

The City Council is committed to preserving our unique residential and business friendly village atmosphere.  The City’s newsletter, Coronado Currents , is filled with timely information about what is happening around town.  We encourage you to browse our web site, read our newsletter and learn more about our City. If you have any questions, contact the City Council at any time.

< Back

Point Loma was the first sight, of what was to become California, that greeted Europeans when they sailed up the coast from Mexico in 1542.  The peninsula juts into the Pacific Ocean and creates the shelter for San Diego Bay.  Ballast Point, site of the 1542 landing by Rodriquez Cabrillo and his crew, is named for the cobblestones loaded as ballast to replace the goods later ships delivered to a growing San Diego.  Many of the stones ended up lining the streets of Boston.

Today the Cabrillo Monument Park, part of the National Park Service, just above Ballast Point offers exhibits, living history lessons and tours of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Views from the park overlook the city, the Navy's submarine pens and the open Pacific.  The Tide Pools along the base of the cliffs below the park offer visitors a chance to see various species of marine life up close and personal.

The peninsula is home to 63,000 plus residents who enjoy its location near the heart of the city and its spectacular skyline and ocean views. Some lucky homeowners have views of both. The Navy is one of the largest land holders on the Point.  Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation and National Cemetery run almost the length of the Peninsula.  The National Cemetery is a dignified resting place for veterans from many wars with its dignified rows of markers and spectacular views.  The cemetery is also home to a number of monuments to sunken ships and those who went down with them, 

In the 90s, the Navy announced plans to close the Naval Training Center that occupied prime bayside land on the peninsula.  The City of San Diego took possession of the land in 2000 and immediately began creating a new urban village for San Diego called Liberty Station.  Liberty Station is a mixed use project that will include homes, offices, shopping, cultural and arts facilities, a boat channel and hotels.  The project is well underway with the first residents moving in during  2003.

Point Loma is also known for its secluded coves and spectacular cliffs.  Sunset Cliffs Natural Park stretches along the Pacific Ocean side of the peninsula offers spectacular ocean views and California Gray Whale watching during the annual migration from Alaska to Baha.

Point Loma Nazarine University is another fixture on Point Loma with a beautiful campus overlooking the Pacific. The campus includes several historical buildings including the Greek Amphitheatre, the first facilty of its type built in the United States.

Neighborhoods on the peninsula include Loma Portal, Midway District, Ocean Beach, Point Loma Heights, Centraloma, Roseville, Fleetridge, Sunset Cliffs, College Area, Woods, Wooded Acres and La Playa.