The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

After undergoing a $12 million renovation,  I was commissioned to photograph the property including the new guest rooms, new restaurant,  new spa and new meeting facilities as well as some lifestyle and food images. As always, my objective is to evoke the nature of the surrounding environment and to highlight certain features of a property to help tell it’s story.  For The Inn, we were careful to include  streaks of California sunlight making it’s way through the doors and a roaring fireplace to tell the story of rustic California country charm.  Adding to the success of this shoot was the deft styling of Margaret Daley, who procured just the right objects to augment the inviting and relaxing vibe of The Inn.  Check out those authentic equestrian riding boots resting by the fire. 

The history of The Inn is fascinating. In 1906 The Santa Fe Railroad Company had purchased almost 9000 acres of land to farm wood to produce railroad ties.  Unfortunately the Blue gum eucalyptus trees they planted were ill suited for this purpose.  The land was then developed into a planned community of beautiful estates and was named Rancho Santa Fe. Originally The Inn was known as La Morada, built in 1923 as a guest house for The Santa Fe Land Company for potential land purchasers. In 1941 La Morada was renamed The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe.

Fans of San Diego and Spanish Revival architecture will appreciate the work of architect Lilian Rice who designed La Morada and will also recognize the name Richard Requa whose firm, Requa and Jackson, for whom Rice worked, left a legacy of Spanish Revival structures and homes throughout the San Diego region. The firm was highly sought after in the 1920’s and 1930’s for their Southern California Style.

See more of my work for The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe on my website.  https://marshallwilliams.com/Hospitality-Case-Studies/Inn-at-Rancho-Santa-Fe/1