Best San Diego Suburb For Families
4S Ranch is a master-planned community in North County San Diego. Although homes and businesses have San Diego addresses, 4S Ranch is 25 miles away from downtown, is more often considered part of the Rancho Bernardo community, and is within the coveted Poway Unified School District. It is officially an unincorporated community with residential neighborhoods built around the 4S Commons Town Center.
Residents of this affluent neighborhood enjoy a community garden, several parks, dedicated open space with 10 miles of hiking trails, a medical center, in-community schools, sports leagues, community groups and events, and two shopping centers with stores, restaurants, and services.
History
Captain John Snook is the first European to own the land that is now 4S Ranch. Because he became a Mexican citizen after immigrating to California and converting to Catholicism, he was able to receive the Mexican land grant that gave him the 17,000-acre Rancho San Bernardo in 1842. The land remained under his wife’s ownership after his death and was divided and sold upon her death in 1860. The land that is now 4S Ranch eventually came into the hands of the Albert Ralphs family (of the Ralphs grocery chain) in 1938, at which time the land was developed for agricultural use.
It was not until the 1970s that plans for a master-planned community began to take form, and approval to develop the first 634 acres of the community were approved in 1984. Housing development began in the early 2000s.
The 4S Ranch Village Center shopping center opened in 2003, and the 4S Ranch Commons Town Center opened in 2006. The 4S Health Center opened in 2012.
Housing
4S Ranch is a master-planned community offering detached and attached single-family homes, including townhouses, condominiums, apartments and detached houses. This upscale community is one of the most sought after neighborhoods in San Diego County and is particularly well known for being considered a safe, affluent, family-friendly community. It is also well known for being one of just a handful of Southern California communities with homes built with Shelter in Place construction, which is designed to keep homes safe from the wildfires that are all too common in this part of the state.
There are many smaller neighborhoods built by different developers within 4S Ranch, which provides a wider price range for potential buyers hoping to find their dream home in this area. The Reserve also participates in limited income programs to offer affordable housing.
In total, there are approximately 4,700 homes in 4S Ranch. The Gianni and Bridgeport subdivisions offer condominiums, and the Ravenna and San Moritz communities have townhouses ranging in size from approximately 1,300 square feet to just over 1,600 square feet. Detached, single-family homes located in the subdivisions found throughout 4S Ranch range in size from about 1,200 square feet to luxury estates more than 4,500 square feet in size.
There is a master homeowners’ association for all of 4S Ranch with HOA fees that help maintain the community parks and common areas. Some of the subdivisions also have their own homeowners’ associations with additional fees. All of the homes in 4S Ranch are subject to Mello Roos.
Restaurants, Shopping, Entertainment, Parks & Recreation
The main shopping hub in 4S Ranch is the 4S Ranch Commons Town Center. This large shopping center is home to a variety of stores and services that make it possible to take care of most of your everyday essentials without having to leave the neighborhood.
The 4S Ranch Commons Town Center includes Ralphs, Jimbo’s…Naturally, Bed Bath & Beyond, Cost Plus World Market, Ulta Beauty, Ace Hardware, Petco Unleashed, CVS Pharmacy, Fine Men’s Salon, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, Point Loma Credit Union, a nail salon, a tanning salon and more. There are also chiropractic, dental and eye care services, as well as a daycare. Eateries at the 4S Commons include Panera Bread, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Baskin Robbins, Jamba Juice, Wendy’s, Miguel’s Cocina, Pei Wei Asian Diner and Karl Strauss Brewing Company.
At the junction of Camino del Norte and Dove Canyon Road, there is the 4S Ranch Village Center with more offerings, including a post office, gas station, animal hospital, optometrist, pet store and other shops and services. Restaurants in this shopping center include Starbucks, Ika Sushi and Grill, Flippin’ Pizza, Donut Touch, Los Primos Mexican Food and SUBWAY.
Shopping and dining options expand considerably just a short drive away along Interstate 15.
There are plenty of parks and recreational opportunities in and around this affluent, active community. If you prefer more organized activities, there are businesses like North County Gymnastics and Kid Ventures 4S Ranch, as well as several fitness and training centers, such as Yoga Six, Frozen Ropes, LA Fitness, and United Studios of Self Defense.
4S Ranch is also home to many community groups and clubs, and if there is not one that perfectly suits your needs, you are sure to find some neighbors willing to join a new one.
