OVERVIEW
4S Ranch is a new master planned community in San Diego North County of Southern California. To the west is Santa Fe Valley and to the east is Rancho Bernardo. To the north is Lake Hodges and to the south is Black Mountain Open Space Park.

4S Ranch was built on 2,900 acres and once development has finished will showcase 4,715 homes. These homes have been constructed on serene tree-lined streets in an array of architectural designs which include California Craftsman, Cottage Mission and Ranch styles.

Traveling in and around 4S Ranch is quite easy. By car, you can access the I-15 which is located to the west, adjacent to Rancho Bernardo. Also just minutes away is Hwy 78 and Rte 56 which makes traveling anywhere in the county an absolute breeze. Bus routes and park-and-ride systems offer modes of public transport to residents and visitors of 4S Ranch opportunities to access other areas of San Diego.

The three exemplary schools of Stone Ranch Elementary, Monterey Ridge Elementary and Oak Valley Middle School reside within 4S Ranch which is served by the Poway Unified School District. These schools have been acclaimed for their scholastic distinction and ground-breaking teaching curriculums. A fourth school, Del Norte High School is scheduled to open in 2009.

HISTORY
4S Ranch was built on land which was once part of Rancho San Bernardo. The first documented owner of this land was an English sea captain known as Joseph Snook. In 1830, Snook sailed to California and soon afterwards converted to Catholicism, became a Mexican citizen and changed his name to Don Jose Francisco Snook. When the California mission system collapsed around 1840, Snook attained a land grant to construct a ranch of his own where 4S Ranch now stands. It is rumored that the "S" in 4S Ranch stands for "Snook" and that the "4" probably stands for "4 Snooks" referring to Snook, his wife and his two kids.

In the century that followed, the land changed owners many times. In the year 1938, the land was acquired by the Ralphs family, the same family that owns the well-known Southern California chain of supermarkets. The family decided to develop the southern region of the land in the early 1980s and create what is now known as the 4S Ranch community, and the remaining 1,200 acres of land in the northern region has been maintained as a family retreat.

RECREATION
Residents looking for some outdoor recreation won't have to look far since 4S Ranch has a beautiful 25-acre community park. It features sports grounds, tennis courts and basketball courts, as well as lush public greens, 10 miles of picturesque hiking and biking trails. Kids can enjoy the recently constructed Junior Olympic swimming pool and the Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, 1,600 acres of 4S Ranch has already been selected as permanently protected wildlife habitat. Minutes away, residents can also visit the world renowned San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. Residents of all ages will surely enjoy viewing the wonders of nature.

4S Commons, the 25-acre traditional town center which is scheduled to open in early 2007, will be easily accessible by 4S Ranch residents by means of 4S Ranch Parkway, an access road and a pedestrian boardwalk, and will feature many wonderful shopping and dining opportunities, as well as apartment living and office space. It will also feature a library and town green and once open it will be 4S Ranch's lively community focal point.