The Rancho Santa Fe Association is hoping to slow speeders on Ranch roads.
On Aug. 7, the RSF Association board took action, requesting that the San Dieguito Community Planning Group forward a recommendation to the County of San Diego to reduce speed limits for four road segments within the Rancho Santa Fe community. The targeted streets include Avenida de Acacias, two segments of El Camino Real and La Orilla.
The vote was 6-1 with Director Joanne Marks opposed.
According to Association Planning and Development Director Maryam Babaki’s report, several roadways in the community have seen a pattern of crashes, speeding and near-miss incidents over the past 18 months. Rancho Santa Fe’s semi-rural character, with its many winding corridors and narrow or non-existent bike lanes, adds challenges for the mix of users that includes drivers, cyclists and equestrians.
Assembly Bill 43, which passed in 2023, allows for speed limit reductions where users are vulnerable and safety risks are present. Babaki said Association staff, the infrastructure committee and the Rancho Santa Fe Patrol have worked to identify the top priority road segments that would be good candidates for a lowered speed limit, considering accidents and speeding issues.
Candidates include Avenida Acacias, from San Elijo to La Granada, where the existing speed limit is 40 mph.
“It’s not radar enforced and it’s near the school and trail crossings,” said Babaki. The lack of radar makes speed compliance challenging.
The board will also request the speed limits be lowered on El Camino Real from Sun Valley Road to Linea del Cielo, where it is posted 40 mph, and from Linea del Cielo to La Orilla at 45 mph. The El Camino Real corridor sees a lot of regional traffic with resident complaints about speeding and safety concerns. The segment from Linea del Cielo to La Orilla is known for its sharp curves and narrow shoulders and has experienced a number of collisions.
La Orilla from Rambla de Las Flores to El Camino Real is currently posted at 35 mph but has been selected for a lower speed limit due to its heavy use by equestrians and trail users, and a lack of a bike lane.
At the San Diego County’s Traffic Advisory Committee on Aug. 1, they approved radar certifications for two Rancho Santa Fe roadway segments, Rambla de las Flores from La Granada to Linea del Cielo, and Rambla de las Flores from La Orilla to Linea del Cielo. The certification authorizes law enforcement agencies to use radar to enforce the 40 mph speed limit.
According to the committee’s report, the accident rate for the 1.02-mile stretch from La Orilla to Linea del Cielo is higher than the state average for similar suburban two-lane roadways with speeds less than 45 mph. From 2022 to 2025, there were five reported collisions along this segment of roadway and three of the accidents caused injury—one included a serious injury and one included a fatality. The fatality occurred in 2023 when a 28-year-old Encinitas resident veered off the road and crashed into a tree while heading east on Rambla de las Flores.
RSF Association board Director Skip Atkins, a former infrastructure committee member, said he was glad to hear the Association was making progress on this issue.
Originally Published: August 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM PDT