Inside Country Club Park: San Ramon’s 1961–1965 model homes & neighborhood legacy

A historical tour of Country Club Park, San Ramon (1961–1965)

Explore Country Club Park in San Ramon through vintage 1961–1965 newspaper ads and see what the original model homes look like today. A curated archive for fans of 1960s–70s architecture, suburban design, and East Bay history.

Welcome to Country Club Park, 1961–1965

Step into a world where back yards meet fairways and a golf cart is always parked at the ready. Welcome to Country Club Park, San Ramon’s most glamorous address of the early 1960s, where striking architecture met sun-soaked leisure in a picture-perfect setting. With 531 architecturally daring homes surrounding the San Ramon Golf Club, this wasn’t just a subdivision—it was a lifestyle, tailor-made for a Sunday drive that never really had to end.

Map of San Ramon Country Club Park California

Location of the County Club Park neighborhood in San Ramon, California.

Volk-McLain and the architecture of Country Club Park

Built between 1961 and 1965 by Volk-McLain, Country Club Park was a dream for the mid-century set. Here, homes weren’t just structures—they were statements. Designed by Raymond Dean Conwell, each floor plan was a canvas of clean lines, open living, and California casual sophistication. What began with five models soon expanded to eleven, each with unique exterior styles that made streets feel like curated galleries of modern living.

These homes dazzled inside too: Georgia Oak floors, Philippine mahogany, and Western knotty pine cabinetry whispered luxury at every turn. It was an era of cocktail parties, wood-paneled dens, and magazine-worthy kitchens—dream homes for the golf-and-gin generation.

A lifestyle built around leisure and golf

Opening in June 1962, the San Ramon Country Club (now the San Ramon Golf Club) completed the neighborhood’s resort-like vision. With rolling greens outside your back door and the hum of a golf cart as your daily soundtrack, Country Club Park embodied a new kind of suburban paradise—equal parts laid-back and luxuriously designed.

Sunday drives weren’t just a weekend ritual here; they were a way of life. Whether you were carting over to a neighbor’s cocktail hour or cruising past rows of manicured yards, every day felt like a gentle glide through leisure and style.

From a September 1961 Oakland Tribune—just another Sunday on the links... or the driveway. At Country Club Park, even the golf carts feel like convertibles. For the leisure-minded elite who prefer their commutes under par.

From a November 1961 Oakland Tribune ad—the fairway might be green, but the vibe is pure outer space. Mid-century cool meets country club living—like golfing on Mars, if Mars had air conditioning and cocktail hour.

From golf course to walnut orchard: shaping the neighborhood

As development pushed into a former walnut orchard, the builder preserved many of the mature trees, giving the neighborhood a wooded, pastoral charm that softened its sleek lines. Even today, the ghost of that orchard lingers in the layout, with gently curved streets and shady canopies that give it the warmth of an old country lane.

From a March 1963 Oakland Tribune ad—missed the golf course lots? Don’t worry—there’s still room under the trees. The fairway may be full, but now you can plant roots in a former walnut orchard… where the shade is deep and the stories practically write themselves.

The model homes of County Club Park

Step onto Metairie Place at Belle Meade Drive, and you’re stepping into the heart of Country Club Park’s charm parade. This was more than a sales complex—it was a showcase of dreams, where 12 stunning models invited visitors to imagine life as a daily getaway.

From an October 1961 Oakland Tribune—First to buy, first to dream. Clutching a sales brochure like it’s a winning lottery ticket, she’s already picturing drapes. He’s in a raincoat, but all in. This couple were the very first to buy in the new Country Club Park—because sometimes, history starts with a brochure and a good pair of shoes.

Each home was a masterpiece of mid-century flair, arranged along a winding path that overlooked the lush greens of the golf course. From cozy three-bedroom retreats to spacious four-bedroom statements, these models highlighted the thoughtful floor plans and eye-catching exteriors that made the neighborhood so special.

Historic site plan showing layout of original Country Club Park model homes by Volk-McLain in San Ramon, California.

Site of the Country Club Park model homes. The home of the south corner of Metairie and Belle Meade is custom and not a Volk-McLain home.

Names of Volk-Mclain homes take some getting used to. They gave elevations quaint names while the floor plans were letters. Each floor plan came in at least two elevations. For example, the Plan R came in two elevations, The Tamarisk and The Kona.

Pricing history

1961: $20,995 +
1962: $20,995 +
1963: $21,995 - $27,695
1964: $21,995 - $27,695
1965: $21,995 - $27,695

Model homes

1. The Palisades - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,422 sq. ft. After this home was retired at the end of the 1962 season, the name was re-used for a different home.

1961 newspaper ad showing an illustrated view of the Palisades model home, highlighting its early-'60s architectural style and suburban curb appeal.

From an October 1961 Daily Review ad—artist’s rendering of the Palisades model home.

1962 newspaper ad showing floor plans for the Palisades and Ranchero model homes, featured in the Daily Review.

From a March 1962 Daily Review ad—the floor plan of the Palisades model.

Alternative ranch elevation, The Ranchero. It wasn't shown in the model complex.

2. The Tamarisk (Plan R) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,550 sq. ft.

From an October 1962 Oakland Tribune ad—meet the Tamarisk—Palm Springs swagger dropped into suburbia like a martini at a Tupperware party. Totally out of place, and all the cooler for it.

Alternative tropical modern elevation, The Kona. It wasn't shown in the model complex.

Fan favorite Kona on Broadmoor Court.

3. The Manchester - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,726 sq. ft. A single story home with a large attic space. Arguably the most memorable residence in the neighborhood, this Tudor-style home showcases a striking front gable adorned with half-timbering. It had unique metal window coverings that created a charming diamond-paned effect, although many of these details have since disappeared over time.

4. Design 4 (unknown name) - 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1,974 sq. ft.

Alternative colonial elevation, The Carmel. It wasn't shown in the model complex.

5. The Hartford (Plan S) - 4 bedroom, 3 bathrooms, 1,790 sq. ft. A Cape Cod styling; a timeless beauty. The first 2-story tract home in San Ramon Village.

From an October 1962 Oakland Tribune—straight from prime time and into real life—this Colonial charmer has the white picket fence, the picture windows, and just enough room for mischief. All that’s missing is the laugh track.

Alternative contemporary elevation, The Imperial. It wasn't shown in the model complex.

An Imperial home (updated).

6. The Georgian - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,088 sq. ft. Added in 1962 and inspired by classic Georgian homes of the old world.

1962 newspaper illustration of the Georgian model home, featuring traditional Colonial-style architecture and mid-century suburban design.

From a June 1962 Oakland Tribune ad—artist’s rendering of the Georgian model.

7. The Westwood - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,582 sq. ft. Added in 1962.

8. The Woodside (Plan W) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, up to 2,497 sq. ft. Added in 1962, this expandable home came standard with an unfinished second floor. Or, it could be finished to create up to 3 more bedrooms and a bathroom.

1964 newspaper artist rendering of the Woodside model (Plan W) home, published in the Oakland Tribune.

From an August 1964 issue of the Oakland Tribune—an artist’s rendering of the Woodside, also known as Plan W.

1962 newspaper clipping of Plan W standard floor plan, showing a mid-century layout with optional front-facing fireplace.

From an April 1962 issue of the Oakland Tribune—this is the standard floor plan for Plan W, a mid-century design that occasionally featured a front-facing fireplace.

Alternative English countryside elevation with 197 less sq. ft. of usable second-story bonus space (2,300 sq. ft.) due to the pitched roof, The Devonshire. It wasn't shown in the model complex.

9. The Westwood - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,874 sq. ft. Added in 1963 and reused a name from the 1962 release.

10. The Brentwood - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,407 sq. ft. Added in 1963.

1963 newspaper rendering of the Brentwood model home, highlighting its leisure room and covered lanai; released as part of a new phase built on a former walnut orchard in San Ramon.

From a September 1963 Oakland Tribune ad—The Brentwood model, introduced as development expanded into a historic walnut orchard. It featured a leisure room and a covered lanai.

11. The Californian (Plan W) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, up to 2,497 sq. ft. Added in 1963 as a third elevation of the Plan W (joining the Woodside three houses up). It came with an unfinished second-level, or finished with up to 3 more bedrooms and a bathroom.

From a December 1963 Oakland Tribune ad—the showstopping Californian model, requiring a 100-foot-wide lot.

12. The Palisades - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,763 sq. ft. Added in 1963, this model re-used an earlier name for a discontinued model.

1964 newspaper ad featuring an illustrated rendering of the Palisades model home, showcasing its mid-century suburban design.

From a December 1964 Oakland Tribune ad—artist’s rendering of the Palisades model home.

Country Club Park today

Here’s what the original Country Club Park models look like in 2024.

The Palisades today

The original Palisades model today.

The Tamarisk today

The original Tamarisk model today.

The Manchester today

The original Manchester model today (with olive tree).

The Design 4 today

The original Design 4 model today.

The Hartford today

The original Hartford model today.

The Georgian today

The original Georgian model today (renovated with porch).

The Westwood today

The original Westwood model today.

The Woodside today

The original Woodside model today.

The Westwood today

The original Westwood model today.

The Brentwood today

The original Brentwood model today.

The Californian today

The original Californian model today.

The Palisades today

The original Palisades model today.

Why Country Club Park still matters today

Volk-McLain cut short the neighborhood and sold off remaining assets in 1965, including an unfilled 19-lot parcel on Hillsboro Avenue. Decades later, San Ramon Country Club Park remains a testament to innovative design and perhaps the most unique houses in south San Ramon. The homes, with their mix of practicality and flair, continue to charm new generations.

Whether you’re drawn to the history, the design, or the natural beauty, San Ramon Country Club Park is proof that a community can be more than just a place to live—it can be a story waiting to be discovered.

Search This Blog

Tri-Valley Tract Tales