Looking for a home to buy in La Jolla?  Here it is!

San Diego County has one zip code on the Forbes top ten list of most expensive zip codes in the United States.  Rancho Santa Fe ranks #9 in a list of the most expensive zip codes in the U.S, as compiled by Forbes.  Other California counties include Orange County, San Mateo County, Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles County.

The list includes:
#1 - 33109 - Fisher Island, Fla., Miami-Dade County Median sales price: $3.85 million
#2 - 07620 - Alpine, N.J., Bergen County Median sales price: $3.59 million
#3 - 11765 - Mill Neck, N.Y., Nassau County Median sales price: $3 million
#4 - 92657 - Newport Coast, Calif. Orange County Median sales price: $2.8 million
#5 - 11976 - Water Mill, N.Y. Suffolk County Median sales price: $2.72 million
#6 - 94027 - Atherton, Calif. San Mateo County Median home price: $2.7 million
#7 - 93108 - Santa Barbara, Calif. , Santa Barbara County Median home price: $2.7 million
#8 - 11975 - Wainscott, N.Y. Suffolk County Median home price: $2.56 million
#9 - 92067 - Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. San Diego County Median home price: $2.47 million
#10 - 90210 - Beverly Hills, Calif. , Los Angeles County Median home price: $2.41 million

If you are interested in searching for homes in Rancho Santa Fe, researching the current value of your home, viewing our Rancho Santa Fe real estate website,  or learning more about the current housing market, contact us anytime at (858) 245-9905. 

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "Forbes List of 10 Most Expensive Zip Codes in the U.S.".  Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. 

My daughter is a HUGE fan of the San Diego Chargers, she wears her jersey on game day, her car is Charger blue and Charger flags are flying from her windows.  When I told her that the Chargers were going to be in Rancho Santa Fe she was excited... until she realized that it wasn't actually THE Charger players, but the Charger Girls' dance team.  That was okay, though... she likes anything that promotes her favorite team!

Five homes in Rancho Santa Fe were recently photographed as backdrops for the San Diego Charger Girls' 2008-2009 Swimsuit Calendar.  All five homes were on the market at the time, which helped the sellers gain exposures for their homes and the local Realtors helped with the coordination of the use of the homes.  As we know, most of the homes in Rancho Santa Fe are mini resorts and these homes were no exception.  Beautiful location, beautiful homes, and beautiful representatives of the Chargers.... "GO BOLTS!"

Support our Chargers - to obtain a calendar visit www.chargersproshop.com. It is advertised that a portion of the calendar sales will be donated to the American Diabetes Association.

If you are interested in searching for homes in Rancho Santa Fe, researching the current value of your home, viewing our Rancho Santa Fe real estate website,  or learning more about the current housing market, contact us anytime at (858) 245-9905. 

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "Charger Girls' Calendar Features Rancho Santa Fe Homes on the Market".  Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. 

RANCHO DIEGUENO is located 3 miles southeast of the Village of Rancho Santa Fe and off of Rancho Diegueno Road and Rancho Santa Fe Farms Road.  This beautiful rural section of Rancho Santa Fe with its rolling hills and panoramic vistas includes both gated and non-gated communities of Santa Fe Vista, Santa Fe Sur, San Diegueno Hills, Circo Diegueno, Stonefield Estates and Rancho Santa Fe Acres.  Some of the street names representing Rancho Diegueno are Calle Diegueno, Caminito Maria, Las Quintas, Calle Carla, Rancho Diegueno, Circo Diegueno and Calle Privada.  There are approximately 238 homesites from one to seven acres depending on the development.  Below is a map of the Rancho Diegueno Area:

CURRENT LISTINGS AVAILABLE IN RANCHO DIEGUENO AREA

1. Las Quintas - $2,785,000 - 4 bdrms/6 baths, approx. 1.51 acres
2. Rancho Diegueno - $7,875,000 - 6+ bdrms/7 baths, approx. .86 acre
3. Rancho Diegueno - $14,988,000 - 7 bdrms/6.5 baths, approx. 4.58 acres

RECENT SALES IN RANCHO DIEGUENO AREA

1. Calle Diegueno Sold 5/21/08 for $2,595,000 - 5 bdrms/6 baths, approx. 2.43 acres
2. Rancho Diegueno Sold 3/28/08 for $2,700,000 - 5 bdrms/5 baths, approx. 2.00 acres

 If you are interested in searching for homes in Rancho Santa Fe, researching the current value of your home, viewing our Rancho Santa Fe real estate website,  or learning more about the current housing market, contact us anytime at (858) 245-9905. 

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "Rancho".  Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.  Listing information from Sandicor and subject to change without notice.

RANCHO DEL RIO in Rancho Santa Fe is located off of Del Dios Highway on the eastern side of the Ranch.  This established community of 71 homes was built beginning in the mid-1960s and many have been newly built, rebuilt or remodeled over the years with the most recent homes built in 2007.  The lot sizes in Rancho del Rio range from 1 to 5 acres.  Horses are allowed on the nearby miles of riding trails governed by Rancho Santa Fe.  This development is not gated and is not within the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant. 

School age children attend schools in the Solana Beach School District, including Solana Santa Fe Elementary, Earl Warren Middle School, Torrey Pines High School or San Dieguito Academy.  There is currently a $200 HOA dues paid annually to the Rancho del Rio Association for common area maintenance.  Rancho del Rio streets include Rancho del Rio, Rio Senda, Calle Dos Lagos and La Brisa.

CURRENT AVAILABLE LISTINGS IN RANCHO DEL RIO

1. $1,295,000 - 4 bdrms/4 baths, approx. 2,726 sq. ft. built in 1971
2. $1,899,000 - 4 bdrms/4 baths, approx. 4,720 sq. ft. built in 2007

MOST RECENT SALE IN RANCHO DEL RIO

1. Sold on 3/1/07 for $1,616,000 - 3 bdrms/2 baths, built in 1971

If you are interested in searching for homes in Rancho Santa Fe, researching the current value of your home, viewing our Rancho Santa Fe real estate website,  or learning more about the current housing market, contact us anytime at (858) 245-9905. 

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "Rancho del Rio - A Rancho Santa Fe Community".  Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.  Listing information from Sandicor and subject to change without notice.

The San Diego Polo Club will host the "Boots & Bolos" charity event on Friday, August 29, 2008 from 5 to 10 pm.  The event will raise funds for the San Diego Chapter of Childhelp and will include a polo exhibition, a saloon & casino presented by Viejas, live music and dancing, a western style bbq and a Western Art Show. This polo gala is the charitable kick off to the Spreckels Cup, one of the most prominent polo events in San Diego.  Additionally, the coveted $250,000 Tiffany's trophy, to be awarded at the Spreckels Cup, will be unveiled at Boots and Bolos.

The beneficiary, the San Diego Chapter of Childhelp, is an organization that assists in the physical, emotional, spiritual and educational needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children. Childhelp focuses on treatment, prevention, research and public advocacy in attempts to alleviate this unseen epidemic.

Tickets to Boots and Bolos are $75 pre-sale and $100 on the day of the event. The Rancho Santa Fe Polo Club is located at 14555 El Camino Real. Suggested attire is Western or Casual.  Dust off your boots, wear your bolos and get ready to dance!  For more information call (858) 412-4935.

Canyon Crest Academy (CCA) begins the school year on August 25^th.

In March 2004, I was on the PTSA Board of the Carmel Valley Middle School and the topic of discussion was the new Carmel Valley high school that would help with the over-crowding being experienced at Torrey Pines High School.  David Jaffe, the principal of the "new" school, who was working out of a small room at the middle school, was excited and eager to fill the new school's 400 slots by the 8^th graders from Carmel Valley and other area middle schools.  The plan was that the students would not only be freshman, but also the only class of students in the school.  Imagine, not worrying about upperclassmen!  The classes would be smaller; the students would have the opportunity to establish many of the traditions at the school from mascot (Ravens) to school colors (red & black).

In August 2004, 342 students began their freshman year in portable buildings and despite their surroundings, they flourished at an incredible pace academically, athletically, creatively, and socially. By March 2005, the local and statewide accolades earned by these focused and motivated students attracted applications for the upcoming school year from over 400 incoming freshmen and over 50 incoming sophomores. In addition, in 2007, the College Board announced that CCA's class of 2008 led the nation in AP World History scores for schools of its size.  There are approximately 1,831 students attending Canyon Crest Academy. The current student to teacher ratio (overall) is roughly 34:1. The school's 2007-08 API score was the highest in San Diego County.

Canyon Crest Academy's first graduating class was in June of this year (2008). These graduates have achieved many honors during their high school careers and have been accepted into many top universities including Harvard University, Stanford University, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, USC, UC Los Angeles, and others.

One unique aspect of Canyon Crest is Envision, an arts program with 7 divisions: Digital/Fine Arts, Theater, Video/Film, Dance, Vocal Music, Audio Editing (new for the 2008-09 school year), and Instrumental Music. The program regularly sponsors shows & performances, and interacts extensively with professionals & teachers in the North County creative community. The Envision program also trains students in their particular field of interest, allowing unique opportunities such as being able to publish student work. Students also have the option of taking classes from Mira Costa Community College on the CCA campus, available after school.  CCA also offers a variety of elective classes not traditionally taught in public schools including American Sign Language, Japanese, Film and Society, Advanced Topics (math theories and phenomenons), Anatomy and Physiology, Science and Research, Environmental Science, Stage Craft, Music Theater production, Rock Band, Surf and Lifesaving, Recording Arts, Interior Design, and Fashion Design. Although Canyon Crest Academy sponsors many sports teams, there is no football team, and there are no plans to add one. Students wishing to be involved in high school football typically enroll in nearby Torrey Pines High School.

Canyon Crest Academy is located at 5951 Village Center Loop Road, in Carmel Valley and is a member of the San Dieguito Union High School District.  Students come to Canyon Crest Academy from middle schools such as Carmel Valley Middle School, Rancho Santa Fe Middle School and Earl Warren in Solana Beach.

Below are links to the following:

About Canyon Crest Academy

Canyon Crest Academy Incoming Student Information 

Canyon Crest Academy Academic Calendar of Events 

Canyon Crest Academy Daily Bulletins & News 

If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Rancho Santa Fe,  contact us at (858) 245-9905 or visit our Rancho Santa Fe real estate website at www.RSFHome.com.

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved.

Torrey Pines begins the school year on August 25^th .

Torrey Pines High School is located at 3710 Del Mar Heights Road in Carmel Valley and is a member of the San Dieguito Union High School District.  Students come to Torrey Pines High School from middle schools such as Carmel Valley Middle School, Rancho Santa Fe Middle School and Earl Warren in Solana Beach.

Known as the "Falcons", student success is supported by tutoring centers on campus, over 300 parent volunteers, 150 extracurricular student clubs, and the Torrey Pines High School Foundation. Falcon students consistently earn top honors at academic competitions including a gold medal at the International Physics Olympiad, the San Diego Science Fair, the national journalism convention, and drama and video film events. Torrey Pines High also offers a comprehensive Division I interscholastic athletics program with 26 different varsity-level sports.

Torrey Pines High School is a three-time National Blue Ribbon School, a California Distinguished School, and home to over 2,700 students from the communities of Carmel Valley (City of San Diego), Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar & parts of Solana Beach.

Torrey Pines High School is currently ranked 185^th in Newsweek's list of 1,300 top U.S. high schools.

Below are links to the following information sites for Torrey Pines High School:

Torrey Pines High School 2008-2009 Calendar  

Bell Schedule for Torrey Pines High School  

Torrey Pines High School Departments & Programs 

Interested in buying or selling a home in Rancho Santa Fe?  Contact Susan at (858) 245-9905 or visit our website at www.RSFHome.com.

Rancho Santa Fe schools open today, August 21^st at 8 am! 

The Ranch school, known as the "Home of the Eagles" is divided into the K - 4^th grade section under the direction of K. Pinkerton, Principal, and the 5^th -8^th grades which are supervised by Dr. Suzanne Roy, the 5- 8 Principal.  Lindy Delaney is the Superintendent. Rancho Santa Fe School District was founded in 1927, and for many years consisted of one school campus, where the younger students mingled with the older ones.  Now there are much needed renovation plans for the campus.

I taught fourth grade in Rancho Santa Fe when Dr. Roger Rowe was not only the Principal, but was also our Superintendent.  Dr. Rowe, a former military man, was a strict leader, but was respected by his students and the faculty.  It is well-known that Dr. Rowe was able to meet the needs of the Rancho Santa Fe parents without sacrificing the needs of the students.  I remember, the years I spent teaching there, working on study plans and my classroom on the weekends and seeing Dr. Rowe's van in the parking lot early mornings and many late evenings.  It is his devotion to the community that inspired many to have the school named after him, the Dr. R. Roger Rowe School.

It is said that it takes a village to raise good children, and I believe that it also takes a village to help a school to excel at educating our children.  Rancho Santa Fe has the good fortune to have the support of the community and parents who contribute generously to its programs.  The dedicated staff of teachers are always spending extra time with the students and making their school day a definite "adventure in learning"...  I know, because I was honored to work and learn from many of the great teachers at the Ranch school, including Donna Spaulding Miano, Barbara Brown, Glenda Sumida, Cynthia Kronemeyer, Michael Frees, Bud Taylor, Diane Jaffari, Sheila Fleet, Carolyn Flood, Peggy Jacobson, Kim Rau, and many others.  Many, if not all, have retired now but I am sure that there are teachers currently teaching that mentored under several of these inspirational teachers.

When my son was born, I quit teaching to spend his early years with him and eventually went into real estate.  I have always said that teaching is a labor of love and not a career that you can earn money doing.  My first commission check for the sale of a condo in La Jolla was more than my entire year's teaching contract!  Needless to say, I have continued my real estate career for the past 23 years, yet have looked back fondly on the memories of my students, their families and the dedicated staff at the Ranch school.

Here's to another GREAT year at Rancho Santa Fe School!

Rancho Santa Fe Calendar

Rancho Santa Fe School Map  

Rowe School Renovation Update  

If you are interested in buying or selling a Rancho Santa Fe property, contact Susan at (858) 245-9905 or visit our website at www.RSFHome.com.