Rancho Santa Fe, California

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Rancho Santa Fe
—  census-designated place  —
Location of Rancho Santa Fe within San Diego County, California.
Coordinates: 33°1′26″N 117°12′0″W / 33.02389°N 117.2°W / 33.02389; -117.2Coordinates: 33°1′26″N 117°12′0″W / 33.02389°N 117.2°W / 33.02389; -117.2
Country  United States
State  California
County San Diego
Area[1]
 • Total 6.788 sq mi (17.581 km2)
 • Land 6.715 sq mi (17.392 km2)
 • Water 0.073 sq mi (0.189 km2)  1.07%
Elevation 246 ft (75 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 3,117
 • Density 459.2/sq mi (177.3/km2)
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP codes 92067, 92091
Area code(s) 858
FIPS code 06-59584
GNIS feature ID 0247968

Rancho Santa Fe (Spanish: santa—holy, fe—faith) known locally as ″The Ranch″, is one of the most exclusive and affluent communities in Southern California. It is also a census-designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California and an unincorporated bedroom community of San Diego County. At $245,631, it is one of the highest income communities in the United States with at least 1,000 households. The population was 3,117 at the 2010 census, down from 3,252 at the 2000 census.The CDP is primarily residential with one shopping avenue as well as several private schools, and single family residential areas situated on uncommonly large lots.

Rancho Santa Fe has many strict architectural design codes as can be exemplified by several attempts from local residents to improve upon or build new residences. Forbes reported Rancho Santa Fe as having the third most expensive ZIP code in the United States, and most expensive in California, with a median home sale price of $2,585,000.[2][3] Some homes in ZIP code 92067 but not within the CDP are valued at more than the median home-value within the Master Planned Community that makes up the official CDP, and many people who live within the 92067 ZIP code cite their community as Rancho Santa Fe even though they do not live within the strict boundaries of the Master Planned Community. The United States Postal Service (USPS) refers to all homes in the 92067 and 92091 ZIP codes, as well as many of the communities in the 92127 ZIP code, as "Rancho Santa Fe".

Contents

[edit] History

In 1906, the Santa Fe Railway initiated a project of growing eucalyptus trees for railroad timber at the Rancho San Dieguito which constitutes present-day Rancho Santa Fe. At that time about 93% of the property was under one ownership, but the balance of the acreage was vested in a number of separate owners.

In August 1906, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company acquired the several tracts, taking title in its affiiliate, the so-called “Santa Fe Land Improvement Company”.

Additional small parcels were added including the original properties owned by the Mexican settlers of the area, the Osuna family who had been recipients of a Mexican Land Grant under Mexican rule of California called "Rancho San Dieguito". A survey in 1922 showed that the new land Company owned 8,796.23 acres.

Officials of the Santa Fe Railway needed satisfactory material for railroad ties, and since the Rancho San Dieguito could be supplied with sufficient water from wells and the nearby river, Eucalyptus seedlings were imported from Australia and planting began in January 1907.

While the Company planted about 3,000 acres, the experiment proved a failure.

A drought in 1912, followed by a severe frost in 1914, killed about 60% of the remaining trees and all seedlings. Experiments with redwood and other materials at other locations brought abandonment of the project in 1915, and eucalyptus planting was discontinued on Rancho San Dieguito.

While the experiment proved the eucalyptus lumber too hard for railway ties, the eucalyptus and additional planting of other non-native trees and shrubbery were seen as an enhancement to the environment of Rancho Santa Fe until the disastrous California wildfires of September and October 2007.

The actual planning of the residential community occurred in the early 1920's, with local architect Lilian Jeannette Rice leading the effort.

[edit] Disease, Fire, and the Red Gum Eucapyltus

The community's adherence to maintaining the Red Gum Eucapyltus species (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) is enforced through deed restrictions on every homeowner within the Covenant area of Rancho Santa Fe by the "Rancho Santa Fe Protective Covenant Association."

Since the 2007 fire, many in the community have grown to believe that the Association is not representative of the homeowners' best interests due the ever-present fire danger posed by diseased and dying eucalyptus trees. Disease spread in 1989 with infestation of the area by an insect native to Australian eucalyptus forests, leading to the immediate and possibly irreversible decline of the Red Gum Eucalyptus forest of Rancho Santa Fe. This insect, the red gum lerp psyllid (Glycaspis brimblecombei), was found in Los Angeles County in 1998 and has rapidly spread through much of California as well as to Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, and Mexico, on varieties of eucalyptus.

Despite optimistic assertions by hired arborists and the "Forest Health Task Force," the Rancho Santa Fe Red Gum Eucalyptus forest has continued to decline, while the Rancho Santa Fe Protective Covenant Association, which is unelected, attempts to maintain the status quo by replanting burned areas. Opponents of this policy favor returning the area to a more natural environment through the planting of California-native tree species, such as Coastal Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) and Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana).

[edit] Geography

Rancho Santa Fe is located at 33°1′26″N 117°12′0″W / 33.02389°N 117.2°W / 33.02389; -117.2 (33.023943, -117.200110).[4]

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.

The climate of Rancho Santa Fe is, for the most part, typical of the San Diego metropolitan area, though the higher elevation and inland location tends to lend itself to higher temperature variation. Additionally, Rancho Santa Fe is notable for being one of only a few places in suburban San Diego to receive snowfall, the last of which occurred on February 26–27, 2011.

[edit] Demographics

[edit] 2010

The 2010 United States Census[5] reported that Rancho Santa Fe had a population of 3,117. The population density was 459.2 people 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 persons (5.6%).

The Census reported that 3,117 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 1,195 households, out of which 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 made up of individuals and 124 (10.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61. There were 943 families (78.9% of all households); the average family size was 2.93.

The population was spread out with 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 years of age 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 (79.1/km²), of which 1,010 (84.5%) were owner-occupied, and 185 (15.5%) were occupied by renters. 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.

[edit] 2000

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 3,252 people, 1,204 households, and 947 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 476.2 inhabitants per square mile (183.8/km²). There were 1,339 housing units at an average density of 196.1 per square mile (75.7/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% of the population.

There were 1,204 households out of which 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 all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 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% who were 65 years of age 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 income for a household in the CDP was in excess of $200,000, as is the median income for a family. Males had a median income of over $150,000 versus $86,933 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $113,132. 3.5% of the population and 2.0% of families were below the poverty line. None under the age of 18 and 5.5% of those 65 and older was living below the poverty line.

Because of the (especially) recent wildfire devastation, Rancho Santa Fe is expecting a significant loss in population when the 2010 census is released (compared to 2000). Many residents, burned out sometimes two or three times, have decided not to return permanently. Many residents decide not to return

[edit] Politics

In the state legislature Rancho Santa Fe is located in the 38th Senate District, represented by Republican Mark Wyland, and in the 74th Assembly District, represented by Republican Martin Garrick. Federally, Rancho Santa Fe is located in California's 50th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +3[7] -- that is, in recent presidential elections its voters have voted Republican somewhat more than the national average—and is represented by Republican Brian Bilbray.

[edit] Education

Schools located within the Rancho Santa Fe School District:

  • R. Roger Rowe Rancho Santa Fe School - public elementary and middle school serving grades K through 8
  • Diegueno Country School - Private Elementary School serving Kindergarten through Sixth grade [2]
  • Horizon Preparatory - private
  • The Nativity School - private

In Rancho Santa Fe near gated community of Fairbanks Ranch (Solana Beach School District)

Rancho Santa Fe is located within the San Dieguito Union High School District which includes the schools:

Private Schools:

  • Horizon
  • Horizon prep
  • The Nativity School

[edit] Communities

  • The Covenant refers to the original planned community of Rancho Santa Fe.
  • Rancho Santa Fe Groves, a gated community on the northeast border of the Covenant set in an Orange grove.
  • Cielo, a gated community east of the Covenant and bordered by Del Dios Highway.
  • Santa Fe Hills, a community of 31 homes located directly East of the Covenant and West of Del Sur.
  • The Crosby, a gated community east of the Covenant and bordered by Del Dios Highway.
  • Morgan Run, a golf course community surrounded by the Morgan Run Golf Course in the southern portion of Rancho Santa Fe.
  • Fairbanks Ranch, The Crosby, Hacienda Santa Fe, The Summit, Del Rayo, The Bridges, Rancho La Cima, The River Estates.

[edit] Social history

Rancho Santa Fe has its origins as Rancho San Dieguito, a Mexican land grant made during 1836–1845 to Juan María Osuna (the first mayor or alcalde of the San Diego area). In 1906 it was sold to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company, which renamed it after the second transcontinental railroad to reach California. As previously mentioned, the Railway planted extensive groves of eucalyptus trees in the hope of having a near-inexhaustible supply of raw material for the railway ties they needed to expand their Western American market. Eucalyptus wood, however, proved too brittle; unable to hold railway spikes. One Sydney Nelson, about whom little else is known, helped finance the purchase of the ten square mile plot, as well as the construction of a golf course (today the main course of the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club). Nelson also drew up rudimentary community plans.

Rancho Santa Fe gained popularity between World War I and World War II, especially following the construction of the Del Mar Racetrack. Bing Crosby is credited as an "early settler", hosting annual clambakes on the golf course at the Club. The present-day luxury home development "The Crosby Estates" stands on the site of his former estate.

In addition to many notable Hollywood figures (Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford) who played important roles in the founding and popularization of the resort town, Rancho Santa Fe has been the scene for a good deal of San Diego County's high social dramas. In March 1997, 39 members of the Heaven's Gate cult, committed mass suicide in a rented house at 18241 Colina Norte. Due to the publicity surrounding the case, the street name was changed to Paseo Victoria.[8]

Rancho Sante Fe was chosen to host the equestrian events during the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Rancho Santa Fe is in the 50th congressional district. Their representative, Randy Duke Cunningham, resigned from the House on November 28, 2005 after pleading guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion for underreporting his income in 2004. Cunningham's corruption first came to light when he bought his Rancho Santa Fe house largely with the proceeds of the sale of his Del Mar home for an inflated price.[9] He was replaced by Brian Bilbray in the 2006 elections, who beat Democrat Francine Busby.

The public library in Rancho Santa Fe is a branch of the San Diego County Library system,[10] 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.

[edit] Notable people

[edit] References

  1. ^ U.S. Census
  2. ^ signonsandiego.com: Most Expensive ZIP Codes
  3. ^ forbes,com: In Pictures: Most Expensive ZIP Codes
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  5. ^ All data are derived from the United States Census Bureau reports from the 2010 United States Census, and are accessible on-line here. The data on unmarried partnerships and same-sex married couples are from the Census report DEC_10_SF1_PCT15. All other housing and population data are from Census report DEC_10_DP_DPDP1. Both reports are viewable online or downloadable in a zip file containing a comma-delimited data file. The area data, from which densities are calculated, are available on-line here. Percentage totals may not add to 100% due to rounding. The Census Bureau defines families as a household containing one or more people related to the householder by birth, opposite-sex marriage, or adoption. People living in group quarters are tabulated by the Census Bureau as neither owners nor renters. For further details, see the text files accompanying the data files containing the Census reports mentioned above.
  6. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  7. ^ http://www.cookpolitical.com/sites/default/files/pvistate.pdf
  8. ^ Report: Heaven's Gate house has been sold for $668,000
  9. ^ Stern, Marcus (2005-06-12). "Lawmaker's home sale questioned". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. A-1. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20050612-9999-1n12windfall.html. Retrieved 2005-06-13. 
  10. ^ San Diego Country Library
  11. ^ Minnesota Twins
  12. ^ [1]
  13. ^ Associated Press. "Padres hire Angels coach Bud Black as manager", ESPN, November 9, 2006.
  14. ^ Congress.gov
  15. ^ a b San Diego Reader
  16. ^ Los Angeles Times
  17. ^ Long Island Press
  18. ^ Taipei Times
  19. ^ North County Times
  20. ^ Showley, Roger M. Web site founder adjusts to life in Rancho Santa Fe. Union Tribune, May 25, 2004. At SignsonSanDiego.com, Retrieved on November 2, 2006.
  21. ^ NPR.org
  22. ^ AllAmericanSpeakers.com
  23. ^ MLB.com
  24. ^ Victor Mature at IMDb
  25. ^ GolfDigest.com
  26. ^ SignsonSanDiego.com
  27. ^ http://www.redact.org/wcc/info/ut-article990403.html , San Diego Union Tribune
  28. ^ Rancho Santa Fe
  29. ^ Rozelle obit
  30. ^ NFL.com
  31. ^ ESPN
  32. ^ EXPN.com: - Shaun White On Cover(s) Of Men's Journal - Expn
  33. ^ The Steve Yuhas Show
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