The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

Even though I moved back to San Diego over twenty-five years ago, I had still never been to Rancho Santa Fe. All I knew about the area was that my dad and his second wife had once owned property there, and the long back-story to it was not pretty. A brunch gathering a few weeks ago changed all that. The first thing that greeted me as I pulled into the village was this bronze statue of architect Lilian Rice by Nina de Burgh.



Credited as the person creating the master plan for Rancho Santa Fe, the document in her hand shows her sketch for the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Her focus was LOW DENSITY HOUSING. If only today’s planners followed suit.



The walk up to the Inn at was lovely; the perfect southern California weather didn’t hurt, either.



I do love succulents, and the property had these and a number of other native plants that added to its natural beauty.



From the Inn’s website, here’s a bit of background info:

In 1924, the Santa Fe Land Company built a guest house called ‘La Morada’ for potential homebuyers. It was later purchased and renamed ‘The Inn’ in 1941. The Inn’s rich history (including visits from icons like Bing Crosby, Charlie Chaplin, and Mary Pickford) is thoughtfully preserved and celebrated throughout the property. Design details remain, such as the original wood-beamed ceilings that still grace the lobby today.



Early 2023, The Inn underwent a full reimagination of its 11-acre property. After reopening in the fall of 2023, The Inn now boasts unparalleled vintage luxury, rich history, and timeless tradition throughout every inch of the property and guest experience. Inspired by the history and timeless glamour of its Silver Screen heritage, each accommodation offers a unique experience devoted to lavish comfort, carefully researched, and curated with one-of-a-kind vintage pieces from around the world, layering design with detail to create a sense of elegance and respite.



The spaces were light where then needed to be and very warm and welcoming.



The art pieces were appropriate to the location and tastefully placed.



The restaurant is appropriately named Lilian’s (only one “L,” just like its namesake!) and the bar (Bing’s) pays tribute to its namesake and longtime guest, Bing Crosby. The trellised design look like it had been inspired by the Titanic’s Veranda Café and Palm Court.









The food was good, the atmosphere lovely, the service…well, there were plenty of servers, but it felt a bit like Disney’s attempt at high-end dining. While they all tried their best, they gave off the vibe that they had just been hired and were not quite up to par yet.



I loved all the different nooks for relaxing and enjoying the scenery.



I will definitely be back to explore the surrounding village. Stay tuned!
 
See more Rancho Santa Fe photos at my main website.