San Ramon's Casa Ramon: 1976–1977 homes & subdivision history

Cover photo of a two-story home in the Casa Ramon neighborhood of San Ramon, built between 1976 and 1977. The house features a traditional suburban design with an attached garage, shuttered windows, and a simple front lawn—typical of late 1970s residential development during a period of rapid suburban growth in the San Ramon Valley.

Welcome to Casa Ramon

In the booming real estate landscape of late-1970s San Ramon, no neighborhood captured the moment quite like Casa Ramon. Built by W. W. Dean and Associates between 1976 and 1977, this 137-home subdivision didn’t just sell well—it made history.

Map showing the location of the Casa Ramon neighborhood in San Ramon, California, with nearby streets, parks, and landmarks labeled. The neighborhood is clearly marked within the city, providing geographic context with surrounding areas and major roads such as Montevideo or Alcosta Boulevard.
Map of the Montevideo neighborhood in San Ramon, California, with Casa Ramon on the south-eastern side of Montevideo Drive.

San Ramon’s first real housing frenzy

When the first preview sale launched in November 1976, buyers didn’t wait for model homes to open—they came ready to sign. In just 16 days, W. W. Dean sold 76 homes, sight unseen. By the time the first phase wrapped, all 89 homes were gone. Demand was so intense that by June 1977, as phase 2 opened, something extraordinary happened: 48 homes sold in a single day.

San Ramon had never seen anything like it. Homebuyers lined up before dawn—some with lawn chairs and thermoses—ready to claim their slice of the suburban dream.

Black-and-white newspaper photo from 1977 showing a crowd of prospective buyers lined up outside a sales office for Phase 2 of the Casa Ramon neighborhood in San Ramon. People are gathered with brochures in hand, reflecting high demand and anticipation for the new homes during the housing boom of the late 1970s.
Buyers line up to buy homes for phase 2 in 1977.

The homes of Casa Ramon

Casa Ramon offered four distinct models, each tailored for growing families of the era. These homes weren’t just bigger—they were smarter. Most came with family rooms, generous kitchens, and plenty of closet space, all tucked inside sleek, contemporary California ranch-style designs. 

Four model homes were shown on Montevideo Drive at Colima Avenue.

Map highlighting the site of the original Casa Ramon model homes on Montevideo Drive in San Ramon, California. The map includes nearby residential streets, local landmarks, and major roads, providing context for the model home locations within the surrounding neighborhood. Montevideo Drive is clearly labeled for orientation.
Map of the Casa Ramon model homes on Montevideo Drive.

Pricing history

  • 1976: $56,950 - $67,950
  • 1977: n/a

Model homes

1. The Plan 1 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,883 sq. ft.

2. The Plan 2 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,593 sq. ft.

3. The Plan 803 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,148 sq. ft.

4. The Plan 4 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,209 sq. ft.

Black-and-white vintage newspaper photo showing The Plan 4 model home—featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2,209 square feet. The image highlights the home’s spacious two-story design, with a prominent front-facing garage, large windows, and mid-1970s architectural styling typical of suburban developments of the era.
A vintage newspaper photo of The Plan 4 model home, a spacious two-story design with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, totaling 2,209 square feet—one of the standout offerings in the Casa Ramon neighborhood during its 1977 debut.

Casa Ramon today

Here are the former model homes as they appear today.

The Plan 1 today

Current exterior photo of the original Plan 1 model home in Casa Ramon, San Ramon. The single-story home features well-preserved 1970s architecture with updated finishes, a low-pitched roof, and a neatly landscaped front yard, reflecting both its original design and modern renovations.
The original Plan 1 model today.

The Plan 2 today

Current exterior photo of the original Plan 2 model home in Casa Ramon, San Ramon. This single-story home features a classic 1970s ranch-style design with an attached garage, wide front windows, and updated landscaping, blending original architectural elements with modern touches.
The original Plan 2 model today.

The Plan 803 today

Current exterior photo of the original Plan 803 model home in Casa Ramon, San Ramon. This two-story home has been expanded from its original layout, now featuring a larger footprint while retaining key elements of its 1970s design. Updated exterior finishes, extended living space, and mature landscaping reflect its evolution over time.
The original Plan 803 model today (expanded).

The Plan 4 today

Current exterior photo of the original Plan 4 model home in Casa Ramon, San Ramon. This two-story home retains its original 1970s architecture, featuring a prominent front-facing garage, large upper-level windows, and a clean, symmetrical facade. Subtle updates and mature landscaping enhance its classic suburban appearance.
The original Plan 4 model today.

Buildout and legacy

By late 1977, the model homes themselves went up for sale, priced from $81,500 to $96,500—a big jump from the preview prices of $56,950 to $67,950 just a year earlier. Still, the market showed no signs of slowing down, and the neighborhood quickly sold out.

Casa Ramon became an early symbol of what San Ramon would soon become: a place where families could dream big, upgrade their space, and join a fast-growing, vibrant community.

What started as an unassuming subdivision ended in a full-on housing craze—and helped shape the next chapter of suburban life in the valley.

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