4S Ranch, California

History

The origin of the name 4S Ranch is not specifically known. The first recorded owner of Rancho San Bernardo, as the area in which 4S Ranch is currently located and originally part of 4 separate sitios or square leagues, was acquired by an Englishman named Joseph Snook (who later became a Mexican citizen and changed his name to Jose Francisco Snook) in 1842 and 1845. Many now believe the "S" in 4S Ranch stands for "Snook". The "4" may stand for "4 Snooks", after Snook and his three brothers or the 4 sitios or leagues granted to Snook. Contrary to myth, Snook and his wife never had any children. After his death, Snook's heirs sold the property to James McCoy for $4,020.

The property changed hands several times over the next 100 years. In 1938, the property was sold to the Albert G. Ralphs of the Ralphs family, owners of the southern California grocery chain. In the early 1980s, the Ralphs family agreed to develop the southern portion of their property (what is now the 4S Ranch master planned community by Newland Communities) and retain the northern 1,200 acres (4.9 km²) as a family retreat which had been operated as a working ranch for 50 years. In the 1980s the third generation of the Ralphs family was granted stewardship of 4S Ranch. Albert's grandson and granddaughter Bob Ralphs and Linda Ralphs spearheaded the family's efforts to develop the property since 1979. They received approval in 1984 from the county to develop 634 acres of the property, with the rest set aside for development at least until after 1992. A portion of 4S Ranch was within a Williamson Act Agricultural Preserve until the contract expired at the end of 1992. The development plans began in general for a $100-million first phase of development at 4S Ranch business park component that totaled 180 acres, enough for about 3 million square feet of research and light-industrial space.

Development began in 1987 that was primarily a business park. Housing development began in the early 2000s and completed in 2014. Today, 4S Ranch encompasses 2,900 acres and 4,700 homes clustered around a traditional town center.

Geography

The land of 4S Ranch pre-development consisted of a variety of landforms ranging from nearly flat-lying mesas and gently rolling hills to rugged, steeply sloping hillside terrain. 1,600 acres of open space exceeded the mitigation requirement by 1,100 acres and loss of 3.8 acres of wetland habitat is mitigated by creation of 9 acres of high quality wetland habitat.

Retail

4S Ranch is anchored by a bustling retail area surrounding the intersection of Dove Canyon and Camino del Norte that is composed of three main sections: the 4S Ranch Village Center, 4S Commons Town Center and the 4S Health Center. The 4S Ranch Village Center includes the area's only gas station, veterinary care, restaurants, salons, and a Starbucks. 4S Commons Town Center has two grocery stores, restaurants, shopping and services, such as dry cleaning and shipping. The 4S Health Center is home to a variety of medical specialties including family medicine, oncology, pediatric dentistry, women's health, oral surgery, and facial plastic surgery.

Transportation

Rt. 880 4S Ranch Express, debuted on March 30, 2009, provided service to Sorrento Valley/UTC During peak commute times via MTS. The premium express service is a commuter service with limited stops by premium coach buses with service to Sorrento Valley and University Town Center transit center. In 2014, Rt. 880 and all bus service to the 4s Ranch area has been cancelled. Service to Sorrento Valley has been replaced by Rt. 270 out of the Rancho Bernardo transit center. The station is a 30-minute walk or a 15-minute bike ride however these options aren't popular with the locals of the car centric community. Camino del Norte and Rancho Bernardo Road provide the primary access for the community, and lead east to Interstate 15. Other major roads providing access to 4S Ranch are Carmel Valley Road and Camino del Sur, which both lead to the South and West and lead to California State Route 56 and Interstate 5. Cimarron Crest Drive, which parallels 4S Ranch Parkway, is noted for the house numbers in Google Earth being an entire block offset from reality.

Community events

Parks and recreation

There are several county parks including

Schools

4S Ranch is served by numerous schools within the highly acclaimed Poway Unified School District that opened beginning in 2004 when Stone Ranch Elementary opened and culminated with the opening of Design 39 Campus in August 2014.

High schools

Middle schools

Elementary schools

K-8 schools

Private schools

Law enforcement and fire protection

4S Ranch is served by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department with a substation located at 10282 Rancho Bernardo Road. Fire protection is provided by Rancho Santa Fe Fire District Station No. 2 located at 16930 Four Gee Road Station No. 2.

Fire protection within the community played a part in the October 2007 fires and the Bernardo Fire in May 2014 in which no homes within the community were lost.

Youth sports

Religious services

Charitable organizations

The 4S Ranch~Del Sur Community Foundation, a proud affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, is committed to the financial support of organizations, projects and programs dedicated to improving the lives of those who live, work and play in 4S Ranch~Del Sur.

Library

4S Ranch county library Opened to the public on April 26, 2007, the 4S Ranch Library is located in 4S Commons Center and serves as a community hub, focused on their large population of children and teens that flood the branch on a daily basis.The 4S Ranch branch is 7,214 square feet and has a fluctuating collection size of around 28,000 items.