San Diego: Places to Explore
- Overview
- Places to Explore
- Sights
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Activities
- Travel Tips
- Features
- Fodor's Choice
- Deals
- Guidebooks
Rancho Santa Fe
Groves of huge, drooping eucalyptus trees cover the hills and valleys of this affluent and exclusive town east of I-5. Rancho Santa Fe and the areas surrounding it are primarily residential, where you'll see mansions at every turn in the road. It's also common to see entire families riding horses on the many trails that crisscross the hillsides.
Modeled after a Spanish village, the town was designed by Lilian Rice, one of the first women to graduate with a degree in architecture from the University of California. Her first structure, a 12-room house built in 1922, evolved into the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, which became a gathering spot for celebrities such as Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, and Bing Crosby in the 1930s and 1940s. The challenging Rancho Santa Fe Golf Course, the original site of the Bing Crosby Pro-Am, is considered one of the best courses in Southern California.
Rancho Santa Fe at a Glance
Elsewhere in San Diego
See Also
Free Fodor's Newsletter
Subscribe today for weekly travel inspiration, tips, and special offers.
Fodor's Trip Planning Ideas
- Summer Fun in NOLA: Discover the true spirit of New Orleans
- Weekend Getaways: Fodor's Recommends the Best Weekend Escapes in the US
- Great American Vacation: Find Your Next U.S. Trip with Fodor's
- 80 Degrees: Fodor's Helps You Find Your Best Beach Vacation Spots
- Go List: Fodor's Top 25 Places to Go in 2013
- Best of Europe: Fodor's Picks the Best Places to Visit in Europe
Travel Deals in San Diego
- $148* & up -- Nationwide Flights thru Fall on American, R/T American Airlines
- $154 & up -- San Diego 4-Star Waterfront Resort, 40% Off BookIt.com
- $109 & up -- Carlsbad 4-Star Resort Near Legoland, 45% Off Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa
- $649 -- 11-Night Fall Celebrity Pacific Coast w/$200 Credit CruCon Cruise Outlet
- $13.17 & up -- Car Rentals across California CarRentals.com
