Olivenhain Real Estate

Olivenhain, a small community located in North San Diego County, is one of Southern California's best kept secrets. This community is, without a doubt, one of the most prestigious and upscale & rural places to live of anywhere in Southern California.

This community is just minutes from Rancho Santa Fe and just miles from the wonderful and pristine white beaches of North San Diego County. There is everything here that anyone, of any status could ever want. Country atmosphere, beautiful beaches, golf courses, chic shops and high end dining awaits those who live here and visit here. The residents literally have all worlds at their fingertips, and very few have heard of the place! Olivenhain is located in Southeast Encinitas, and right next to the world renown community of Rancho Santa Fe.

Originally founded by a small colony of German families in 1884 the area was called Ranco Las Encinitas, which means "little oak trees" in Spanish. Now called Olivenhain, which means "olive grove" in German, has gone thru a transformation from farming to one of the most affluent and prestigious areas of Southern California. With the decline of farming and the importation of water in the 1950's, Olivenhain was transformed into a residential community. The agricultural areas with rolling hillsides and white picket fences gave way to large custom Olivenhain homes on half-acre plus lots. Many of the residential parcels of land in Olivenhain have fruit orchards filled with a variety of citrus and avocado trees. In keeping with the rural lifestyle, you'll rarely find sidewalks or street lights here. Residents treasure the rural character of their community and are determined to protect it from the encroaching development. Much of the old and original townsite is still preserved like the old Olivenhain town hall which is still used for meetings and social events whenever possible.

Equestrian activities are still big here and there are many winding horse trails throughout Olivenhain providing the residents miles and miles of quiet and peaceful places to ride and enjoy their privacy. Equestrian facilities and horse arenas attract hundreds each year to ride and participate in the highly regarded horse shows and various events.

Still today, many of the homes which are located on very large parcels of land reflect the residents desires to garden, raise avocados and citrus of all kinds. Spending time at the West Village Shopping Center in Olivenhain is low key, but high style for sure. This is in line with trhe discriminating tastes of the clientele that come here from Rancho Santa Fe and other upscale nearby communities. There are specialty ranch markets, chic chops, popular restauants, stylish art and cultural shops, home finishing marts, boutiques, specialty bakeries and cafes and national retail chains assuring the resident and visitor alike many shopping options.

Overall, the Olivenhain real estate, no matter location, is most highly sought after and fast appreciating. The homes here are modern and spacious and very upscale for sure.

They are located on beautiful winding avenues, lushly landscaped and sitting on large lots of land. New family? Growing family? Single, or Professional or Retiree, this is a very upscale and luxurious place to live in peace and harmony with nature. This is an area of country like atmosphere, close to the blue Pacific, the many metro areas located inland, and of course San Diego just to the south. Many people come here in hopes of finding 'that perfect lot' to build 'that perfect dream home' on. A few years back it was considerably easier to do than today. A few custom home sites still remain in Wildflower Estates, an exclusive gated community considered to be the jewel of Olivenhain. Wildflower Estates lots range from 1.5 to 5.5 acres in size with lot prices up to $1.4 million. In addition to the wonderful and traditional single family homes in Olivenhain, there are some condos here that are upscale and in modern and gated complexes but move fast when they come onto the real estate market. The parents here seem to take on a major role in their childrens education and the community boasts of award winning schools that are some of the best in the entire San Diego County. There are excellent private schools here also.

If ever there was a California Hidden Paradise, this is it. You must come and visit and experience the lifestyle that exists here. The near by mountains, the rolling green hills, jagged cliffs, pristine white beaches and the pride of ownership of the residents, in their town, and in their private residences. This is Olivenhain, paradise hidden.