Tucked along the greens of what is now the San Ramon Golf Club, the 103-home Fairway Hills subdivision offered more than just a front-row seat to the fairway—it offered a lifestyle rooted in leisure, a bit of golf-course grandeur, and a few groan-worthy jokes along the way.
Built by Alpha Homes between 1965 and 1968, Fairway Hills was the third neighborhood to border the course, following in the footsteps of Country Club Park (1961) and Country Club Estates (1965). But unlike its predecessors, Fairway Hills had a winding journey to completion—one that involved builder handoffs, stubborn advertisements, and the occasional cantilevered balcony.
The story began with Volk-McLain, the original developer behind Country Club Estates. They opened a model complex on Firecrest Lane in early 1965, signaling big plans for more homes. But before long, they pulled out of the area entirely, leaving just ten of their homes around Winged Foot Place.
Enter Alpha Homes, who stepped in to complete the subdivision—and gave it the name Fairway Hills. Under their guidance, the neighborhood took shape with five spacious home plans, each designed to appeal to the growing number of Bay Area families dreaming of backyard barbecues and golf course views.
 |
| May 1968 Oakland Tribune ad—Alpha Homes offering homes "on course" in San Ramon, an alternative to Pebble Beach, with lifestyle amenities like golf, swimming, and tennis. |
Where Fairway Hills is located in San Ramon
 |
| Annotated map of the Fairway Hills neighborhood in San Ramon, California. |
Selling the subdivision
If the Fairway Hills ads are to be believed, you’d think the neighborhood was being marketed by a grumpy sitcom dad. One 1965 ad grumbles about children begging to visit “Harry the Horse,” while another insists you'll finally get peace and quiet because someone else mows the lawn.
By 1967, the advertising had become even wordier, filled with offbeat humor and a touch of suburban cynicism. But underneath the quirky copy was a clear message: this was a place to settle in and enjoy life—on large lots, next to a beautifully maintained golf course, with a view and a breeze to match.
The San Ramon Country Club (now San Ramon Golf Club) was itself a fairly new attraction when Fairway Hills broke ground. Designed by Clark Glasson, the course opened its first 9 holes in June 1962, with the back 9 arriving later that fall.
For many early buyers, having a home along this freshly minted course was a dream realized—resort-style living in the quiet countryside.
 |
| From a 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—living at Fairway Hills is relaxing, they insisted—albeit with a sigh and a side-eye. |
 |
| May 1966 Oakland Tribune ad—Alpha homes started offering free front yard landscaping and fencing to attract buyers. |
 |
| 1967 Oakland Tribune ad—feeling low? Move where the lawns mow themselves, the trees are always in bloom, and someone else worries about the edging. Instant mood lift, no prescription required—just a mortgage. |
 |
| August 1968 Oakland Tribune photo—the model complex of Fairway Hills emphasized the spacious backyards and open spaces for children to run around. |
 |
| June 1968 Oakland Tribune photo—distinctive home styling, like the Dutch-colonial Pennsylvania model, was an attraction in itself. |
Legacy of Fairway Hills
Fairway Hills hit the market at a competitive price point, especially for golf-course homes with large lots and stylish elevations. Sales concluded in 1968.
By the early 1970s, development around the golf course slowed, with much of the surrounding land remaining open until the Paseo San Ramon and Rancho Ramon subdivisions arrived in 1977. Today, Fairway Hills remains a highly sought-after neighborhood, with its large lots, charming homes, and mature trees offering a rare kind of space and serenity.
What began with a quirky ad campaign and a handoff between builders has endured as a classic San Ramon community—one where you can still catch a breeze off the 9th hole and hear the soft thwack of a tee shot from your backyard.
Exploring the original Fairway Hills today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Fairway Hills model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Alpha's vision for suburban living in 1965.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Fairway Hills' earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
The original prices
- 1965: $25,950 +
- 1966: $26,975 – $31,975
- 1967: $26,975 +
- 1968: $27,975 +
The original model home complex
Fairway Hill's five original model homes were arranged on Boca Raton Court around a temporary sales complex that welcomed prospective buyers during the neighborhood's grand opening in 1966. While the sales office disappeared long ago, the model homes remain, allowing visitors to trace the neighborhood's beginnings more than fifty years later.
 |
| Annotated aerial map of the Fairway Hills model home complex on Boca Raton Court. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
The original model homes
1. The Santa Barbara - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,013 sq. ft.
 |
| Original Santa Barbara model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Pennsylvania - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms.
 |
| Original Pennsylvania model today via Google Street View. |
3. The San Ramon - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,711 sq. ft.
 | |
|
4. The Monterey - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,040 sq. ft.
 |
| Original Monterey model today (expanded) via Google Street View. |
5. The Plan 5 (unknown name) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms.
 |
| Original Plan 5 model today via Google Street View. |
Comments
Post a Comment