The Farms in Rancho Santa Fe stands out as one of the best gated communities in the area, offering a unique blend of luxury, privacy, and exclusivity. With 112 custom-built estates surrounding a championship golf course designed by Tom Lehman, it provides an exceptional lifestyle for discerning buyers.
This guard-gated community ensures security and tranquility while maintaining access to top-tier amenities and meticulously maintained grounds. Residents benefit from a strong homeowners association that manages common areas and services, adding convenience and value to the experience.
For buyers interested in Southern California’s upscale markets, The Farms offers a rare combination of privacy, spacious properties, and world-class golf amenities. These features make it a leading option among Rancho Santa Fe’s gated neighborhoods.
The Farms offers a unique blend of luxury living, privacy, and natural beauty. Its location, amenities, and security measures create an exclusive environment tailored to high-end residents seeking both comfort and sophistication.
The Farms is situated in the prestigious 92067 zip code of Rancho Santa Fe, California. It surrounds the Tom Lehman-designed championship golf course, placing homes in picturesque, golf-oriented settings. This location offers quick access to San Diego while maintaining a peaceful, semi-rural atmosphere.
Residents enjoy proximity to upscale dining, boutique shopping, and top-rated schools. The community is nestled within one of Southern California’s most exclusive neighborhoods, providing a balance of convenience and secluded living.
The Farms comprises 112 custom-built estates, each designed with luxury and elegance in mind. The community focuses on resort-style living, with expansive lots and scenic views around the golf course.
Key amenities include world-class golf facilities, meticulously maintained landscaping, and shared spaces such as clubhouses. Maintenance services like common area upkeep and trash collection are covered by homeowners association dues, ensuring a well-kept environment at all times.
Social and recreational opportunities are centered around the golf course and community events designed to promote a vibrant lifestyle among residents.
The Farms operates as a 24-hour guard-gated community, providing strict access control to ensure safety. The gated entrance is monitored to restrict incoming and outgoing traffic to residents and approved visitors only.
Homeowners association dues contribute to maintaining security features and common area surveillance. The community's layout emphasizes privacy, with large lot sizes and natural barriers between homes.
These measures create a secure and tranquil environment, ideal for residents seeking peace of mind without sacrificing luxury or convenience.
The Farms offers an exclusive collection of luxury estates within a highly secure, gated environment. Properties are distinguished by their architectural quality, spacious lots, and access to premier community amenities.
The market features approximately 100 custom-built residences, many with views of the Tom Lehman-designed golf course. Inventory levels fluctuate but often remain limited due to the community’s exclusivity.
Demand is driven by buyers seeking privacy, luxury finishes, and resort-style living with 24-hour gated security. Recent sales show a steady appreciation aligned with the broader Rancho Santa Fe luxury market. Listings frequently include updated interiors and high-end technology installations.
Residences mainly exhibit Mediterranean and California Mission-style architecture. These styles emphasize stucco exteriors, red tile roofs, and expansive outdoor living areas. Interiors often feature soaring ceilings, open floor plans, and large windows to maximize natural light and golf course views.
Custom homes incorporate high-end finishes such as imported stone, designer kitchens, and spa-like bathrooms. Design elements balance elegance with functionality, catering to both family living and entertaining needs. Many homes have sophisticated landscaping that complements the natural surroundings.
Lot sizes in The Farms vary but generally range from half an acre to over two acres. This provides ample space for private yards, swimming pools, and outdoor entertainment areas. Properties often include professionally designed gardens and mature trees for added privacy.
Outdoor spaces take full advantage of Southern California’s climate, featuring patios, covered terraces, and sometimes outdoor kitchens. Golf course-adjacent lots offer unobstructed views and direct access to the greens, enhancing the resort-style atmosphere residents enjoy.
The Farms offers a blend of luxury, privacy, and convenience in Rancho Santa Fe. Residents enjoy access to high-end recreational facilities, reputable nearby schools, and an active community life. The neighborhood supports a balanced lifestyle tailored for those seeking both tranquility and engagement.
The Farms centers around a prestigious Tom Lehman-designed championship golf course. This course provides residents with exclusive access to golfing in a peaceful, private environment. The community benefits from well-maintained greens and scenic fairways that enhance recreational opportunities.
Beyond golf, The Farms includes walking trails and open spaces ideal for outdoor activities. The gated setting ensures privacy and security during these pursuits. Residents also enjoy resort-style amenities that may include clubhouses, fitness centers, and swimming pools, promoting an active lifestyle close to home.
Families in The Farms have access to top-rated public and private schools within Rancho Santa Fe and the surrounding areas. Schools in this region are known for strong academic programs and extracurricular activities. This makes the community attractive for those prioritizing quality education.
Essential services such as grocery stores, medical facilities, and retail shops are conveniently located nearby. Rancho Santa Fe's proximity to North County San Diego further expands options for healthcare, dining, and shopping. Transportation routes facilitate easy access to these amenities while maintaining the neighborhood’s secluded atmosphere.
The Farms fosters a sense of community through various organized social and cultural events. Residents often participate in golf tournaments, holiday celebrations, and neighborhood gatherings. These events encourage interaction among neighbors while supporting a lifestyle focused on refinement and connection.
Several residents take part in charitable events and volunteer opportunities within the greater Rancho Santa Fe area. This engagement reflects the community’s value of civic involvement alongside privacy. The managed homeowners’ association typically oversees event planning, contributing to a cohesive yet low-maintenance living experience.
The Farms stands out for its combination of luxury, privacy, and golf course access, but it shares several features with other gated communities in Rancho Santa Fe. Differences in home styles, lot sizes, and amenities affect each community’s appeal. Security and HOA policies also vary, influencing lifestyle and maintenance responsibilities.
The Farms features 112 custom-built estates on large lots, often ranging between ½ to over 2 acres. Many homes are remodeled or rebuilt, blending classic and modern styles. The community is known for its 24-hour guard-gated security and direct access to a Tom Lehman-designed championship golf course.
Other gated neighborhoods like Fairbanks Ranch and Del Mar Country Club also offer significant lot sizes and luxury amenities. However, some communities emphasize equestrian facilities or countryside estates rather than golf. HOA dues differ but commonly cover gate security, common area upkeep, and trash services across these communities.
Buyers focusing on golf course living usually prioritize The Farms for its private course and sweeping fairway views. Privacy seekers note the strict security measures and controlled access as important factors. Lot sizes and architectural styles fit those wanting both space and a mix of traditional and updated homes.
Thinking about buying a home in Rancho Santa Fe?
Allow our team of luxury real estate specialists to help you navigate every step of the buying or selling process. With deep local expertise and firsthand knowledge of the Rancho Santa Fe market, we provide the insight and strategy you need to make confident real estate decisions.
Connect with The Comiskey Group at Compass for trusted representation, whether you’re searching for your next Rancho Santa Fe property or ready to list your current home.
Rancho Santa Fe has no shortage of gated enclaves, but few are built around a single purpose the way The Farms is. Behind its 24-hour guard gate sits a neighborhood organized entirely around one of Southern California's most respected private courses — no tennis complex, no oversized fitness center, just custom homes built around championship golf. For buyers researching guard-gated golf communities in San Diego County, The Farms is one of the clearest examples of the type, and it's worth understanding both the real estate and the club before you start touring homes.
San Dieguito Road links The Farms directly to Interstate 5, putting Del Mar's beaches about 15 minutes away and downtown San Diego around 30 minutes out under normal traffic. The setting keeps Rancho Santa Fe's rural, low-density feel while staying close to daily conveniences — a 10-minute drive covers most day-to-day errands, and both McClellan-Palomar and San Diego International airports are within reach for residents who travel often.
The community's centerpiece, The Farms Golf Club, opened in 1988 under the direction of Pete Dye, his son Perry, and wife Alice, with input from San Diego golf legend Tommy Jacobs, a two-time major runner-up. In classic Dye fashion, the original routing packed 18 holes into just 94 acres, producing some of the tightest fairways in the region.
The membership bought the course and clubhouse outright from the original developers in 1999. A year later, they brought in John Fought and Tom Lehman — fresh off his 1996 Open Championship win at Royal Lytham and St Annes — to rebuild the greens, add tee boxes and bunkers, modernize irrigation, and introduce new water features while keeping the course's difficulty intact.
An $18 million renovation is now underway, targeting completion in 2025. The project includes drought-tolerant turf, a full bunker rebuild, a one-acre short-game area, and a two-story performance center. Tim Liddy, who worked alongside Pete Dye for nearly 30 years, is restoring original Dye touches — railroad ties and grass-faced bunkers — that were softened in the 2000 renovation.
The finished product plays as a par-72 course at 6,947 yards from the back tees, with a 73.8 USGA rating and 142 slope. Water comes into play on roughly half the holes, and at least eight carry real risk of a lost ball off the tee. Eight tee sets, including three forward tees, keep it accessible, though the design rewards precision far more than distance.
Golf Digest has ranked The Farms among the Top 50 U.S. clubs for best players, and the roster backs it up. Phil Mickelson, a San Diego native, has used the course to sharpen his driver ahead of major championships. Xander Schauffele, Annika Sorenstam, Tom Lehman, John Schroeder, and Liselotte Neumann are also members, and San Diego State University recently signed a 20-year agreement making The Farms the home course for both its men's and women's golf programs. The club regularly hosts NCAA Regionals, USGA Amateur Qualifiers, SCGA Championships, and AJGA events.
Membership is invitation-only, capped at 300 equity members, with an average member age of 56 and an average handicap of 12. On the first Saturday of every month, 80 to 100 members turn out for a "choose up" game — $20 buy-in, randomly assigned teams — and Phil Mickelson's brother Tim holds the course record at 62.
Architect Robert Altevers designed the 36,000-square-foot clubhouse to feel like a California ranch estate rather than a formal country club: leather armchairs, fencepost ceilings, and ungrouted stone fireplaces set an understated tone. Chef Diane Allen-Baines runs the food and beverage program, with indoor and outdoor dining overlooking the course. Throughout the year, the club hosts wine tastings, craft beer events, barbecues, and holiday gatherings.
Most homes date to the 1980s and 90s, though a large share have been remodeled or rebuilt from the ground up. Expect roughly 4,000 to over 10,000 square feet on lots from half an acre to nearly three acres, in Mediterranean and California Contemporary styles, with both single- and two-story plans. Premium finishes are standard: gourmet kitchens, retreat-style primary suites, and resort-caliber outdoor spaces with pools, spas, and outdoor kitchens.
Spyglass is a double-gated micro-enclave inside The Farms with just 12 to 24 homesites on 2- to 4.5-acre lots — sitting at the community's highest elevation, with views stretching from the fairways to the Pacific. Homes range from 7,000 to over 20,000 square feet, with six to ten bedrooms, home theaters, and wine cellars, in Mediterranean and French country styles. Vacant lots have sold for around $2.6 million, with finished estates well above that.
Children in The Farms fall within the Solana Beach Elementary School District and San Dieguito Union High School District. Solana Santa Fe Elementary (K-6, ~340 students) consistently ranks in the top 5% of California elementary schools for math and reading. Earl Warren Middle School covers grades 7-8, and most students continue to Torrey Pines High School, a regular fixture on California's top public high school lists. Canyon Crest Academy and San Dieguito Academy are available as school-of-choice options. Nearby private schools include La Jolla Country Day, Cathedral Catholic, Santa Fe Christian, Horizon Prep, and San Diego Jewish Academy.
The Farms itself skips a pool, tennis courts, and a fitness center — but the surrounding area more than fills the gap.
Racquet sports and fitness: Rancho Valencia Resort, minutes away, offers 12 Plexipave courts, three European red clay courts, three padel courts, four pickleball courts, a Forbes five-star spa, and more than 100 weekly fitness classes. Residents can purchase spa and racquet memberships without booking a stay, and casual-to-upscale dining is available at the resort's Pony Room.
Shopping and dining: Del Rayo Village handles everyday errands and hosts the Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rancho Santa Fe Village, about ten minutes out, adds more dining options, and Del Mar Plaza and Flower Hill Promenade extend the options along the coast.
Beaches and outdoor recreation: Del Mar's beaches sit roughly 15 minutes from The Farms, with Torrey Pines State Beach and Reserve just beyond for hiking and coastal views. Golfers with reciprocal interests also have Del Mar Country Club, Fairbanks Ranch Country Club (which pairs golf with equestrian facilities), Morgan Run, The Crosby at Rancho Santa Fe, and The Bridges nearby, plus Torrey Pines' municipal South Course — often cited by Farms members as the only local course that matches it for difficulty.
Seasonal events: The Del Mar Racetrack runs thoroughbred racing from mid-July through early September and hosts the San Diego County Fair each June, both a short drive from the community.
Getting around: The Coaster commuter rail, with stations in Solana Beach and Del Mar, offers an alternative to freeway driving for trips into downtown San Diego, while San Dieguito Road provides direct freeway access for everyday commuting.
Where other Rancho Santa Fe communities diversify around several amenities — Fairbanks Ranch, for instance, pairs golf with equestrian facilities — The Farms stays narrowly focused on one thing: golf, played on a course good enough to draw a membership of genuinely accomplished players. That focus is the trade-off buyers should weigh. If you want a private course with real pedigree and don't mind skipping the pool and tennis courts, The Farms is hard to beat. If a broader amenity package matters more than the course itself, another Rancho Santa Fe neighborhood may be the better fit.
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Zip code | 92067, Rancho Santa Fe |
Homes in the community | Approximately 91–112 custom-designed homes (count varies by enclave) |
Price range | Roughly $2 million to $15 million+, depending on lot and golf frontage |
Home sizes | ~4,000 to 10,000+ sq. ft. |
Lot sizes | ½ acre to nearly 3 acres |
Architectural styles | Mediterranean, California Contemporary |
HOA | Covers gate security, common areas, trash service |
Mello-Roos | None |
Golf membership | Separate from home purchase; invitation-only, capped at 300 equity members |
Average member handicap | 12 |
Most exclusive sub-enclave | Spyglass (12–24 homesites, 2–4.5 acre lots, double-gated) |
Figures reflect general community ranges rather than a specific listing — contact The Comiskey Group for current inventory and pricing on a specific home.
Does buying a home in The Farms include golf club membership?
No. Home ownership and club membership are handled separately. Membership is by invitation and requires a substantial initiation commitment; fees aren't publicly published, so prospective buyers should factor this into their overall budget before making an offer.
Are there Mello-Roos taxes in The Farms?
No. The community carries no Mello-Roos special tax assessments, which is a meaningful difference from some newer developments in San Diego County.
What are the HOA dues, and what do they cover?
Dues vary and aren't published as a flat figure; they generally cover gate security, common-area maintenance, and trash collection. Contact a Comiskey Group agent for current figures on a specific listing.
How many homes are in The Farms?
Estimates range from about 91 to 112 residences, depending on how the various enclaves — including Spyglass — are counted.
What schools serve The Farms?
Students attend Solana Santa Fe Elementary, Earl Warren Middle School, and typically Torrey Pines High School, all within the Solana Beach Elementary and San Dieguito Union High School Districts. Canyon Crest Academy and San Dieguito Academy are available as choice options.
Is The Farms a good fit for families, or just golfers?
Serious golfers make up most of the membership — the average handicap is 12 — but families do live in the community and benefit from the surrounding top-rated schools. Just know there's no pool or tennis facility on-site; those amenities are found nearby at Rancho Valencia Resort.
What is Spyglass, and is it part of The Farms?
Spyglass is a smaller, double-gated enclave within The Farms, with 12 to 24 homesites on larger lots (2 to 4.5 acres) at the community's highest elevation. It represents the most exclusive tier of real estate within the neighborhood.
Thinking about buying a home in Rancho Santa Fe?
Allow our team of luxury real estate specialists to help you navigate every step of the buying or selling process. With deep local expertise and firsthand knowledge of the Rancho Santa Fe market, we provide the insight and strategy you need to make confident real estate decisions.
Connect with The Comiskey Group at Compass for trusted representation, whether you’re searching for your next Rancho Santa Fe property or ready to list your current home.
