Rancho Santa Fe Clubs & Organizations

Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club
Tennis Club
Rancho Riding Club
Community Center
Garden Club
Historical Society
Foundation
Country Friends
Playing Fields
Senior Center
Art Guild

Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club
The Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club is owned by the Rancho Santa Fe Association, and is operated by the Club's Board of Governors under a memorandum of understanding dating to 1987. It is the Association's most substantial recreational asset. Membership in the Club is available only to members of the Rancho Santa Fe Association, by virtue of ownership of Covenant property. The Club currently has over 650 members. A variety of membership types, including privileges for a limited number of rounds per year, are available and can be explored with the Association's Member Services staff.

The original course, designed by Max Behr, opened in 1927 and was the original site of the Bing Crosby Pro-Am tournament. The course underwent an extensive renovation and replanting in 2002. This world-class course is an eighteen hole, 7,073 yard par 72 course recently redesigned by David Fleming. A full service pro shop features bag storage, club repair, merchandise sales and cart rentals. The 13,000 square foot golf clubhouse was extensively remodeled in 1995. Its dining room and lounge are available for use by all Rancho Santa Fe Association members. This facility can also accommodate catered special event group functions for members on a rental basis. The course and clubhouse are located on Via de la Cumbre, north of the Village.

Tennis Club
The Tennis Club is located just north of downtown Rancho Santa Fe and adjacent to the Golf Club on Via de la Cumbre. This "Lily Award" winning clubhouse is nestled in a natural setting that overlooks the courts as well as the golf course. The 3,100 square foot tennis clubhouse contains the pro shop, including merchandise sales and racquet repair, and the Club's activity center.

The Tennis Club boasts twelve championship courts including two soft courts. An enthusiastic group of tennis players keep the courts busy with league play, socials, weekly mixers, summer camps for juniors, and tournaments. Private and group lessons are available for adult and junior players of all levels. Their philosophy is to make learning as fun as possible, and to build confidence in the player as well as a love for the game. The staff includes two full-time professionals, two weekend professionals, and four junior professionals.

Rancho Riding Club
The Rancho Riding Club was founded in 1946 and occupies eleven acres in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe.This beautiful, private facility is located on Rambla de las Flores, south of La Granada.

The Rancho Riding Club offers box stalls, outside corrals, three turnouts, hot water wash racks, cross ties, 6-horse free flow exerciser and three rings. In addition, Association members and their guests have access to miles of trails located throughout the Covenant. Horses are fed hay three times a day, and staff provides daily stall and ring maintenance. Priority is afforded to Association members.

Rancho Riding Club is home to Westwood at Rancho Riding Club, Phillip Cillis and Marcy Gehrke, Marion Hadden and Caldwell Dressage Instruction and Robin Bond Western Trainer. The entire family is invited to attend horse shows, social activities, and instructors are available to give lessons to children and adults on wonderful schooling horses in a variety of disciplines. This active riding club has wonderful assets for horse and rider!

Rancho Santa Fe Community Center
The Rancho Santa Fe Community Center is located directly behind the Association Office. The Community Center focuses on the heart of this community by providing programs and services to residents of the Ranch.

From after-school and vacation camps for youth and teens to recreational, social and educational classes for adults, the Center provides all ages of this community with a place of fun and learning.

Funded by memberships, contributions, program fees and annual fund-raisers, this non-profit organization relies on the Ranch community to support day-to-day operations.

The Community Center's vision for the future is to bring Rancho Santa Fe together in a spirit of collaboration and fun through programs and events that are widely recognized by the community for their value to all age groups.

The Garden Club
The Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club was founded in 1926.  Now, as it was upon its founding, the Club's objectives are to encourage interest in gardening and landscaping on the Ranch, to promote civic pride through beautification and to provide a social venue for its members and their guests.

The Garden Club is located in the Village at the corner of La Granada and Avenida de Acacias.  The membership engages in a variety of cultural, educational and social activities.

The facility includes an auditorium with a capacity of 300 and the clubhouse is available for use by Club members and may be rented by sponsored individuals for special events, such as weddings, bar mitzvahs, receptions, etc.  The Club has graciously hosted some of the most important civic events of the community and public meetings of the Association.  Membership in the Club is restricted to those who own property in or live in the Covenant.

Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society

Bringing History Alive - RSF Historical Society Celebrates 20 years!
1984-2004

The Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society is celebrating 20 years of service to our community. We honor and salute the founding members who had the vision and foresight to start this important organization. The five original founders were Pat Cologne, Eleanor Shefte, Sandy Somerville, Marcia Van Liew and Gwen Whitehead who also served as the first President. "The idea of the need for Rancho Santa Fe to have a historical Society came to me sometime in the early 1980Õs. At various times I would ask some of my friends who were longtime residents if they had any interest in founding such a group. On October 30, 1984 the articles of incorporation were signed and that was the beginning of a great adventure!" said Whitehead.

Our 20th year is being commemorated with plaques and proclamations from Supervisor Bill Horn, Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham, Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society is known for its dedication to preserving, documenting, and educating members of the local community, the many visitors to the area, has even gained nationwide attention for its' World War II Veterans Oral History Project. The Society has published a book, Rancho Santa Fe: a California Village which was just printed in its' fifth edition. Through early and present day photographs the book captures the unique beauty and architectural qualities of one of California's first planned communities. It goes on to describe Rancho San Dieguito, the original granted to Juan Osuna in 1833. The Santa Fe Land Improvement Company developed the original village, renamed Rancho Santa Fe, creating a protective covenant in 1928, which continues to function with broad reaching powers and authority.

The RSF Historical Society is housed in La Flecha house, one of famed architect Lillian Rice's designs. La Flecha House was named Landmark #1 and a plaque was unveiled celebrating the designation On July 4, 1989. Sandy Somerville was quoted as saying, "We're very happy to have Rancho Santa Fe Historical site number one." The house was built in the 1930s and now houses artifacts, documents, photographs, and furniture all donated to the Society. We provide educational tours and lectures to students of all ages, offer our archives to researchers, and provide expertise and advice on the preservation of historic homes via our Architectural Review Committee. The house was generously donated by E.L. Bus Reitz and Margarita Reitz.

They sponsor a Saturday walking tour o the first Saturday of every month, from 10am-noon. Children are welcome! Please RSVP to 858-756-9291. Their fax line is 858-756-990 5. Their email address is rsfhistoricalsoc@sbcglobal.net and their website is Ranchosantafehistoricalsociety.org.

Rancho Santa Fe Foundation
The Rancho Santa Fe Foundation was formed as an independent entity to receive donations of land and money to preserve the character of the community. The Foundation provides an opportunity for these donations to be made in a manner that will result in tax advantages for the donor. Through these gifts, the Foundation has assembled several parcels which are held as community open space.

The Country Friends
The Country Friends was founded in 1954 by a group of charitable and public-spirited Rancho Santa Fe women. The organization began with 167 members and has grown to over 1000 members and has distributed in excess of 12 million dollars to various human care agencies throughout San Diego County.

The Country Friends consignment shop, located on the corner of El Tordo and Avenida de Acacia in Rancho Santa Fe, is the largest source of the funds distributed. The shop is open to the public six days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Merchandise is received from estates and individuals and is either donated or consigned.

There are nine chapters throughout San Diego County which support the two major fundraising events each year. "The Art of Fashion" Couture Fashion Show is held every September in the village of Rancho Santa Fe. It is known as the largest outdoor fashion show in the country. In July, The Country Friends continues its 40+ year tradition of "Day at the Races". This is held the day following opening day of racing season at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Thoroughbred Club. General membership luncheons are held twice a year as well as membership coffees in each of the nine area chapters. For more information call us at 858-756-1192.

Playing Fields
The Rancho Santa Fe Association has two sports fields for use by all Covenant property owners. The fields are located on Rambla de las Flores near the Rancho Riding Club. The smaller field is Richardson Park and the larger field is Rancho Santa Fe Field.

The fields are reserved in advance for many organized sport practices and games by Rancho Santa Fe organizations such as Little League, Youth Soccer, Men's Soccer, etc... The fields are also available to be reserved by Covenant property owners for family events such as birthday parties and baseball games. These reservations may be made one month prior to the event by calling the Association office at 858-756-1174.

The Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center
The Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center was founded in March 1988 as a service organization to assist Senior residents in maintaining their health, welfare, and safety. Also, to assist families of senior residents with support, counseling and friendship.

The Senior Center is located at 16780 La Gracia in the village of Rancho Santa Fe. The building is an historic Lilian Rice house built in 1924 and is on the State and National Historic Registry.

There are regular programs and activities at the Senior Center that enhance the quality of life for residents in the community. Volunteers, "Ranch Hands", help to provide services for those who need assistance, visitation, and transportation. The Senior Center is a resource and response program dedicated to serving seniors.

The Senior Center is open Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Art Guild
The Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild was formed in August of 1996 as a result of the interest in and local talent displayed at several Art Shows sponsored by the Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club. A number of local artists saw a need to organize in order to support local visual artists, those interested in collecting and patrons of the visual arts. The Art Guild received initial support from both the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation and the Rancho Santa Fe Association. They met for a time in the boardroom at the Association office and hung their art on the walls of the Association office.

Later, the Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild, a nonprofit organization, opened The Rancho Santa Fe Gallery as a joint venture with Union Bank and The Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, who donated space and initial monies. In appreciation, Guild members volunteer their time for worthwhile community projects. Members have provided instruction at the Rancho Santa Fe Library and the Senior Center, as well as donating works of art to many local fundraisers. The Guild organizes an annual Street/Art Fair open to artists from throughout San Diego County.

The Gallery is located at 6004 Paseo Delicias (rear of Union Bank building) in the Village of Rancho Santa Fe. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Gallery can be reached at (858) 759-3545. Artists donate a percentage of every sale to outreach programs benefiting the visual arts.