Secreted away in the hillsides of Rancho Santa Fe, Cielo—Spanish for “sky” or more literally “heavens”—is one of the premier neighborhoods of San Diego. Cielo is one of the newer communities in the region, but its historic aura gives it a timeless appeal. The unique architectural style heralds the Tuscan foothills, and when you enter Cielo, you’ll find the cobbled stone and warm hues of a European villa. It’s not without reason that Cielo was named “Community of the Year” by the National Association of Home Builders during its inaugural year.
Cielo is made up of 1,750 acres of residential land, offering 375 custom homesites, with a total of 50% open space giving it a vast, secluded setting. The rolling hillsides reach elevations close to 1,500 feet, some of the highest in coastal San Diego County. So not only do Cielo residents experience sublime views of the Pacific Coast and mountains inland, but they truly have a sense of living away from it all, up in the “Cielo.” Despite its secluded hilltop nature, however, Cielo is just a twenty-minute drive from the charming beachside towns of Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Del Mar, so a home in Cielo offers the perfect blend of privacy and connectivity.
A home in the guarded and gated Cielo doesn’t just offer privacy and security, but access to state-of-the-art amenities. The local country club, the 8,000-square-foot Club Cielo, is home to an avant-garde catering kitchen, as well as a fitness center, aerobic studio, and tennis & pickleball courts. Aquatic facilities include an Olympic swimming pool, kid’s pool, and spa, complete with pristine locker room facilities. There’s even a rose garden!
One of the many benefits of calling Cielo home is the number of outdoor recreation opportunities in and around the community. We’d be remiss not to mention Cielo Park, the 1.5-acre park tucked right in your backyard. The park is home to both basketball and sand volleyball courts, as well as a rock-climbing wall, sports field, and picnic pavilion with a BBQ grill. That said, there are countless larger natural spaces just outside Cielo. These include the rambling hills of the 2,300-acre Black Mountain Open Space Park, the wetlands of San Elijo Lagoon, the vast reservoir at Lake Hodges, and Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Each offers a plethora of trails for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding in some cases. There are several upscale resorts and hotels nearby, including the lavish Rancho Valencia, the legendary Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, and the Morgan Run Club & Resort, home to a sprawling 27-hole golf course.
While Cielo only houses residential property, there are several nearby dining and retail options in Rancho Santa Fe proper, ranging from quant cafés to upscale restaurants. Some of the most popular and well-known include Morada, Mille Fleurs, Thyme in the Ranch, Caffè Positano, and Rancho Santa Fe Bistro. There’s also the all-new Cielo Village housing a handful of shops arrayed around a sloping Italian-style piazza and fountain, with sublime outdoor eating spaces. For more options, residents can venture only minutes further out to find a vast array of cuisine in the larger communities of Del Mar and Solana Beach.
Education options in Cielo are myriad, and nearby schools—campuses in the Rancho Santa Fe and the Escondido Union School Districts—are among the most highly rated in California. These include Rowe Elementary and Middle School, Bernardo Elementary, Bear Valley Middle, Torrey Pines High, and San Pasqual High. Private education opportunities are also numerous and highly regarded. Residents can choose from Happy Time & Village Nursery schools, Nativity Catholic, Cal Coast Academy, Horizon Prep School, Santa Fe Christian, San Diego Jewish Academy, The Grauer School, La Jolla Country Day School, Cathedral Catholic High, and Diegueno Country School.
Discover the Possibilities with an Industry Expert who Calls Rancho Santa Fe, Home. Looking to purchase or sell an idyllic property in one of the country’s most coveted locales? Work with Raquel Benguiat, for a personalized experience, exceptional service, and the most comprehensive expertise in Rancho Santa Fe real estate. It begins with a conversation — Let’s connect.
