Tucked into the rolling hills of North County San Diego, The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe is a timeless escape that almost 100 years since its beginnings, remains the centerpiece of our community. With roots reaching back to 1922, this charming retreat began as a bold vision by the Santa Fe Land Improvement Company and Lilian Rice to create a community.
Rice’s first creation was a cozy guesthouse called La Morada, built to welcome potential land buyers with style and grace. That little building, full of character and charm, would eventually grow into The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. More than just a hotel, it set the architectural tone for the entire town, which became one of California’s first master-planned communities with a unified design aesthetic.
Fast forward to 1958, when hotelier Stephen Wheeler Royce bought The Inn after selling the iconic Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. He moved his family onto the 23-acre property and made it their personal mission to preserve the Inn’s magic and rich history. For the next 50+ years, the Royce family welcomed guests as fabulous stewards of this legacy property. In 2012, The Inn passed into the hands of JMI Realty. For over a decade, JMI served as local owners and thoughtful stewards of the hotel, maintaining its historic charm, and honoring its past while exploring plans for its future.
In 2022, recognizing a unique opportunity to carry the Inn’s legacy forward, JMI sold the hotel to renowned designer and developer Steve Hermann, while holding onto an 8-acre piece of the property and 13 homes known as the Inn Cottages. With a shared passion for architecture, hospitality, and an understanding of the Inn’s history, Hermann brought fresh vision to this beloved landmark – one that honors Lilian Rice’s original spirit while embracing what’s next.
And now, a new chapter is beginning to take shape at what was previously the Inn Cottages.
After over a decade of careful planning, JMI’s vision for a new residential enclave adjacent to the Inn is coming to life. Introducing The Casitas at RSF – a collection of thirteen detached luxury homes nestled just steps from the town center and The Inn itself. This new community will embody understated elegance, a resort lifestyle, and timeless design with a nod to Lilian Rice’s original vision.
Five luxurious casitas have been completely reimagined from the ground up and offer design and architectural brilliance with uncompromising quality. Eight of the original Inn cottages remain just as they were, offering homeowners a rare opportunity to restore and personalize their dream casita with approved plans. These thirteen homes are being offered for individual ownership for the first time ever.
Private yet connected, rooted in history yet refreshed for today, The Casitas at RSF reflect the enduring charm of Rancho Santa Fe and allow for a lifestyle rarely experienced. All homeowners will have access to the Resort’s amenities which include The Pool, Exercise Room, and Room Service. Single-level luxury living in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe, adjacent to The Rancho Santa Fe Inn. The project’s completion is slated for the end of 2025, but reservations are being taken now. For more information or to schedule a future tour, please contact The Sales Team, Appleby Family Group, (858) 602-9696. #DRE 02141307, Willis Allen Real Estate.
www.applebyfamilygroup.com
