Fairbanks Ranch is located south of Rancho Santa Fe and has an illustrious history.  In the early 1900s, Theodore Reed, movie director for the screen idol Douglas Fairbanks, discovered the area and suggested Fairbanks purchase the land as an investment. In 1924 Fairbanks and Mary Pickford bought 800 acres and named it Rancho Zorro (or Fox Ranch) after one his films. Fairbanks built a dam to capture water from the Lusardi Creek draining into the San Dieguito River, planted more than 300 acres of Valencia oranges.  Wallace Neff designed the couple's dream home, which was to be a country retreat. But in 1936, before construction started, Pickford and Fairbanks were divorced. Fairbanks' second wife, Lady Sylvia Ashley, felt the property was too isolated and the couple did not visit the property that once considered his country playground. The property was maintained as a grove until the 1950s when it was sold.

After changing hands several times, the Fairbanks property was purchased in 1977 by Ray Watt, a Santa Monica developer. Inspired by the exclusive ambiance of nearby Rancho Santa Fe; Watts wanted to create an elite community of estate home sites called Fairbanks Ranch.  He created his vision by subdividing the 1,240 acres and began selling the lots in 1981.

Fairbanks Ranch is now considered one of the most exclusive and private residential communities in San Diego County.  The estates in Fairbanks Ranch are architectural showcases ranging from 2,500 to 20,000 square feet and on one-half to ten acres of prime coastal property.

Building plans are reviewed and approved by the Environmental Control Committee (Architectural Committee), which carefully studies the proposals to make sure the design meets the community's specified size and style.  Many of the distinctive designs included in Fairbanks Ranch are California Ranch, English Tudor, Country French, Spanish Mediterranean, and Tuscan estates.

The residents enjoy the amenities of a guard-gated community, a 5,100 square foot lakeside clubhouse, tennis courts, 3 miles of fenced horse trails, a 17-acre equestrian center with a 27-stall barn, 2 lakes, several miles of walking trails, a fitness course, and several shaded picnic spots within the 40 acres of open space. The original pump house that was built in the 1920s has been restored and is used as the community library. Privacy and safety are assured by 24-hour gate-guarded access and security patrol.