Rancho Santa Fe

In 1906, the Santa Fe Land Improvement Co., an arm of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, bought all the lands that made up the original San Dieguito land grant and planted millions of eucalyptus trees to be used for railroad ties.

The venture failed as the wood was not suitable for tracks. With the aid of developer Ed Fletcher, the company changed direction and in the 1920s developed Rancho Santa Fe as a community of estates with citrus and avocado trees. Each ranch was linked by roads to a civic center.

Lilian J. Rice was the lead architect, designing the town center in the Spanish Revival style that became the standard for building in the community.

Pamper yourself by indulging in a spa treatment at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe or Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

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