Some Rancho Santa Fe communities market exclusivity. The Groves just has it by default — there are only 44 homes here, full stop, and the community has never needed to inflate that number to make a point. Set just outside the Covenant on land that used to grow Valencia oranges, this is one of the smallest and most understated gated neighborhoods in the 92067 zip code, and for buyers chasing genuine privacy over polish, it's one of the more compelling options in North County San Diego.
The name isn't a branding exercise. The Groves sits on roughly 101 acres of former Valencia orange groves, and to this day, homeowners are required to maintain a portion of their property as working citrus groves — a detail that shapes both the look and the smell of the neighborhood. Developer William Strong built the community in the 1980s, with most construction wrapping up in the early 1990s. The architecture leans Spanish-Mediterranean and California Ranch: terracotta roofs, stucco walls, and an earthy palette that fits the Southern California hillside it sits on.
One detail sets the tone immediately — there's no guard booth at the gate. Residents use an entry code rather than checking in with staff, which says something about the community's approach to privacy: understated rather than performative.
Geographically, The Groves sits north of the Covenant of Rancho Santa Fe, south of The Bridges, west of Rancho Del Lago, and east of Olivenhain — roughly three miles from the Village of Rancho Santa Fe and about nine miles from the beaches of Encinitas. The terrain is hilly, which means most homes get some kind of view: valleys, hillsides, and for a fortunate few, glimpses of the golf course at neighboring The Bridges.
Rancho Santa Fe also enforces a dark-sky policy, and it shows. On a clear night, residents can actually see stars — Jupiter included — a rarity for the region, and meteor showers regularly draw people onto their patios.
Lots in The Groves run from about one acre up to six, with most falling in the one-to-two-acre range. Homes themselves typically measure between 3,300 and 7,800 square feet, with three to seven bedrooms depending on the property, and the majority have been substantially customized since their original construction. Courtyards, covered patios, and outdoor living spaces are a given here — the Mediterranean and Spanish influences aren't just cosmetic, they shape how the homes actually get used. Palm trees and rows of citrus fill nearly every lot, many properties include private pools, and some have their own tennis or sport courts.
Because the terrain is hilly, elevation does a lot of the privacy work. Two neighboring homes might sit close together on a map but be separated by fifty feet of slope — enough that you genuinely don't see your neighbors unless you choose to.
The Groves keeps its shared amenities simple. Two community tennis courts are available to residents and guests, with no pro or formal league structure attached — just courts that get used when people want to use them. More notably, the community has set aside more than 50 acres as preserved trail land, giving residents an approachable network for a morning walk or run without needing to drive anywhere. The HOA maintains the entrances, trails, and courts, funded through monthly dues.
School assignment in The Groves isn't uniform, which is worth flagging early for buyers with kids. Most elementary and middle school students attend R. Roger Rowe School in the Rancho Santa Fe School District — rebuilt in 2010, with small class sizes and facilities that include a performing arts center. Some homes, however, fall into the Encinitas Union School District instead, so confirming a specific property's boundary matters before assuming which school your children will attend.
For high school, nearly all students are zoned for Torrey Pines High School within the San Dieguito Union High School District — a school where roughly 69% of students take at least one AP course, with academic performance ranking in the top 100 statewide. Canyon Crest Academy and San Dieguito Academy are available through district choice programs, and several private and parochial options operate in the surrounding communities.
The Village of Rancho Santa Fe, about three miles away, functions as the neighborhood's downtown — Spanish Colonial architecture housing boutiques, banks, and a handful of restaurants locals actually use regularly. Mille Fleurs has anchored fine dining here for decades with French-California cuisine, Nick and G's covers Italian-American with wood-fired pizza, Rancho Santa Fe Bistro leans into a wine-focused menu, and Thyme in the Ranch is the go-to morning stop for pastries and coffee. For everyday needs, Del Rayo Village Shopping Center sits between Fairbanks Ranch and Del Mar's polo fields, offering the area's one full-service shopping center experience along with the weekly Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market.
Golf-minded buyers won't have to go far. The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, a short drive from the gates, has a reputation that extends well beyond the neighborhood. The Robert Trent Jones II design has landed on Golf Digest's list of the top 20 courses in California, built around seven bridges that connect holes across the property's canyons and creeks. It's private and invitation-only, but proximity is an advantage for buyers pursuing membership. The club's amenities go beyond golf: a 36,000-square-foot clubhouse, a separate 10,000-square-foot fitness and spa facility, and a five-acre tennis and recreation center with five lighted courts, pickleball, and bocce.
Beyond The Bridges, North County's broader recreation scene includes hiking and biking trails, several equestrian centers reflecting the region's horse-country roots, and multiple additional country clubs for golf or social membership.
Encinitas' beaches sit about nine miles away — 15 to 20 minutes under normal traffic, longer on summer weekends. Moonlight State Beach draws families with its snack bar and gentle slope into the water, while D Street Beach offers the same stretch of sand with fewer crowds. Swami's Beach, at the southern end of Encinitas, has earned a reputation among surfers, and Cardiff-by-the-Sea's San Elijo State Beach adds a popular campground and Restaurant Row along Highway 101. For those wanting fewer people, Beacon's Beach and Grandview Beach in Leucadia require a steeper walk down from the bluff — a trade-off that keeps them quieter.
The community tends to attract a specific kind of buyer: families prioritizing the local schools, empty nesters downsizing from larger estates without wanting to leave Rancho Santa Fe, remote workers who value distance from busier coastal areas, and retired executives who like the math of 44 homes meaning roughly 44 neighbors. Rancho Santa Fe has long attracted residents who prefer privacy over visibility — Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Bing Crosby all lived in the area at various points — and that same discretion carries through The Groves today. HOA-organized gatherings happen occasionally, but nothing here runs on a mandatory social calendar.
The Groves falls within the 92067 zip code, one of the most expensive in the country, with its own fire department and oversight from the Rancho Santa Fe Association. For shopping beyond the Village, Encinitas, Del Mar Highlands Town Center, Solana Beach, and Carlsbad all sit within a reasonable drive. Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas covers most healthcare needs, with additional Scripps facilities in La Jolla for specialized care. Interstate 5 and the 15 Freeway handle regional transportation, and San Diego International Airport is roughly 25 miles out.
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Zip code | 92067, Rancho Santa Fe |
Total homes | 44 |
Community size | ~101 acres, former Valencia orange groves |
Open space | 50+ acres of trails and preserved land |
Lot sizes | 1–6 acres (most 1–2 acres) |
Home sizes | ~3,300–7,800 sq. ft. |
Bedrooms | 3–7 |
Architectural styles | Spanish-Mediterranean, California Ranch |
Built | 1980s–early 1990s, developed by William Strong |
Gate type | Coded access, no guard booth |
On-site amenities | 2 tennis courts, hiking trails |
School districts | Rancho Santa Fe School District / Encinitas Union School District (varies by property); San Dieguito Union High School District |
Nearby private golf | The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe (invitation-only) |
Figures reflect general community ranges rather than a specific listing — contact The Comiskey Group for current inventory and pricing.
Is The Groves a guard-gated community?
No. The Groves uses coded electronic access rather than a staffed guard booth, which sets it apart from more heavily secured Rancho Santa Fe communities.
Do homeowners actually have to maintain citrus trees?
Yes. Because the community sits on former Valencia orange grove land, homeowners are required to maintain a portion of their property as citrus groves, preserving the neighborhood's agricultural character.
What school district serves The Groves?
It depends on the specific property. Most elementary and middle school students attend R. Roger Rowe School in the Rancho Santa Fe School District, but some homes fall within the Encinitas Union School District instead. All high schoolers are zoned within the San Dieguito Union High School District, typically at Torrey Pines High School.
How big are the lots in The Groves?
Lots range from about one acre to six acres, with most falling between one and two acres — generous enough for privacy and mature landscaping without being difficult to maintain.
Is there a golf course inside The Groves?
No, but The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, a private Robert Trent Jones II-designed course, sits just minutes away and is a draw for golf-focused buyers considering the area.
How far is The Groves from the beach?
Encinitas' beaches are about nine miles away, typically a 15-to-20-minute drive outside of peak summer weekend traffic.
Why are there only 44 homes?
The Groves was developed as a small, low-density community from the start, and the limited inventory has stayed that way — turnover is rare, and the neighborhood has never expanded beyond its original footprint.
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