WELCOME TO FAIRBANKS RANCH
Located just south of the San Dieguito River Valley is a gated community of exclusive estates called Fairbanks Ranch. With over 40 acres of park-like grounds and pristine amenities which include a lake with a clubhouse nestled on its shore, 5 tennis courts, 9-hole putting green, a park featuring a barbecue/picnic area along with volleyball and basketball court. Fairbanks Ranch is the distinctive home for select families.
AMENITIES
The amenities of Fairbanks Ranch include 75 acres of park-like grounds, featuring a pristine lake with a clubhouse nestled on its shores. The lake hosts a variety of fowl including our own four swans. Paddleboats or the row boat may be taken out to explore the lake or feed the birds. Along the lake's shores, a quaint gazebo frames our newly constructed 9-hole putting green. Near the Clubhouse sits our 5 tennis courts, 3 of which have lights. Tennis lessons, tennis camps, men's and women's mixers and tournament take place year round under the direction of our local Tennis Pro, Darin Bassett.
Beyond the lake, a beautiful fountain is nestled amongst the trees and flowers just waiting for the next wedding to come along. Just below the dam sits one of the oldest structures in Fairbanks Ranch. The old pump house built in the 20's, has been restored and now is used as the community library. The pump house overlooks the beautiful waterfall, flowing into the stream. Further down under the mature shade of the trees with a running stream is the local park. The park features a barbecue and picnic area with tables. The kids can enjoy the play structure while the adults play volleyball, horse shoes or basketball on our half court.
Continuing on along the sparkling stream winds our fitness par course, taking the stress out of exercising. The stream and trail continues all the way to the 10 acre equestrian center with a 57-stall barn. Horse lessons and camps are featured through out the year. With the horses there lies 3 miles of fenced horse trails and miles of walking trails.
All of this is settled within the secure environment of a gated community. In a flawless setting of natural beauty and luxurious homes, Fairbanks Ranch has been recognized as one of the most desirable communities by families from around the world.
HISTORY
Just south of the San Dieguito River Valley, lying in the original map of Southern California's Rancho San Dieguito, there is a community of exclusive estates called Fairbanks Ranch. History has it that Theodore Reed, a movie director for the legendary screen idol Douglas Fairbanks Sr., discovered the area around 1920 and suggested that Fairbanks Sr. purchase the property for investment purposes. In 1924 Fairbanks and his actress wife Mary Pickford bought 800 acres with the intent of growing oranges. They planted several thousand citrus trees and acres of beans, tomatoes and grain to feed cattle that roamed the area. Fairbanks hired William Smart, a full time manager, to oversee the property and harvest over 300 acres of Valencia oranges. A dam was constructed to capture the waters from the Lusardi Creek and still exists today as part of the extensive park-like grounds of the community.
Fairbanks called the property "Rancho Zorro" (fox ranch) after his famous film role. He later hired Wallace Neff to design a dream home that was to become the Fairbanks country retreat. Unfortunately, in 1936, before they broke ground on their dream home, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were divorced. The house was built on property overlooking the lake and is now called "Casa Zorro". Fairbanks kept the ranch and later married his second wife, Lady Sylvia Ashly. After Fairbanks died, Lady Sylvia married the legendary film actor Clark Gable. Lady Ashley felt the ranch was too secluded, but maintained the property as an orange grove until 1952 when it was sold.
In 1977 Ray Watt, a Santa Monica developer inspired by the exclusive ambience of Rancho Santa Fe, purchased the property to develop an elite community of estates, calling it "Fairbanks Ranch". Watt decided that this unique site deserved the finest in planning and development, subdivided the 1240 acres into 618 sites and started sales in 1981. Protective covenants have been adopted to safeguard the quality, privacy, beauty and harmony of the land and its romantic heritage.
PARKS
San Dieguito River Valley Regional Park
Crest Canyon Open Space
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Carmel Valley Community Park
CARMEL VALLEY BRAND LIBRARY
EDUCATION
Solana Beach School District
309 North Rios Avenue / Solana Beach, CA 92075
858.794.7100 / 858.794.7105 Fax
www.sbsd.k12.ca.us
Elementary Schools
San Dieguito Union High School District
Middle Schools
High Schools
PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR FAIRBANKS RANCH
California Title Company makes no guarantees in regards to the attendance policies or boundaries of these schools.
If you have your Assessor's Parcel Number and would like specific information for your property, please contact:
Solana Beach School District
San Dieguito Union High School District
For a list of Private Schools, please go to www.CalTitle.com and visit our Consumer Information section.
Fairbanks HOA fees pay for:
- Neighborhood security: 24 hour roving patrols, and the guards are armed
- Monitoring of your home security system
- Maintenance of private streets and guard gates
- Trash pick up
Use of all amenities including:
- Four lit tennis courts
- Four pickleball courts
- Clubhouse with complementary coffee and donuts on weekend mornings, happy hours with wine and charcuterie on occasional Friday evenings
- Hiking trails
- Lake (usually with fishing in paddle boats)
- Park with play equipment for children
- Sand volleyball court
- Half basketball court
- Barbecues
- Picnic tables
- Restroom
