San Ramon's Rancho Solano: 1966–1968 homes & subdivision history
Welcome to Rancho Solano
In the golden age of San Ramon’s suburban expansion, Rancho Solano stood out—not just for its hillside views or its catchy name, but for its size, sophistication, and flair. Built between 1966 and 1968, the 288-home neighborhood was a two-phase endeavor, beginning with Kay Homes and finishing with Carl Damè. These homes were larger than their mid-’60s counterparts—some by nearly 300 square feet—and filled with upscale touches that made everyday living feel like a custom experience.
Rancho Solano wasn't simply another development. It was where open-beam ceilings, sweeping living rooms, and wide kitchen bars met families ready for California's next chapter.
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| May of the Montevideo neighborhood in San Ramon, California, with Rancho Solano on the south-western side of Montevideo Drive. |
What's in a name
When the neighborhood was first planned in the late 1960s, the developers were clearly aiming for that Spanish-influenced charm so popular at the time. Though the land itself had historical ties—once part of the original Rancho San Ramon land grant—the builders chose to invent a fresh, romanticized name: Rancho Solana. There was just one problem—it wasn’t grammatically correct. “Solana” was likely meant to evoke sunshine, but it missed the mark in Spanish. Eventually, the name was quietly corrected to Rancho Solano, bringing it more in line with proper Spanish grammar—and giving the neighborhood a touch more authenticity, even if its origins were more marketing than mission.
More home to come home to
Kay Homes broke ground on Rancho Solano in fall 1966, launching a $7 million project with an eye for bold interiors and family-friendly design. Homes came packed with modern must-haves: dramatic split-level floor plans, oversized living spaces, and the instantly iconic Vista Kitchen—a bright, airy space with panoramic windows and a serving bar that opened right onto the backyard. Whether you were watching the kids or hosting the neighbors, this kitchen was made to be lived in.
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| January 1967 ad for Rancho Solano by Kay Homes, promising more space for the same price—up to 300 extra square feet. As families sought comfort and privacy in the late '60s, features like sunken master suites, walk-in closets, and “Vista Kitchens” spoke to a new suburban ideal. |
Custom carved entry doors, textural stonework, and designer finishes made these homes feel tailor-made, even as they popped up in neat rows across Winslow Place.
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| 1966 rendering of a carved front door for Kay's early-Californian–inspired homes. In an era of mass-produced suburban housing, entry doors like this offered a rare moment of artistry—one of the few places builders embraced individuality and architectural flair. |
The Damè era
By mid-1967, developer Carl Damè—best known for his work on nearby Twin Creeks—took over the second phase of Rancho Solano after a business split with Kay Homes. With a fresh approach and a new name ("Solano" instead of "Solana"), Damè reinvigorated the project by introducing two additional home plans, upgrading finishes, and rebranding the kitchen as the "Panorama Kitchen." The update retained the expansive glass and backyard access but leaned even more into the idea of indoor-outdoor living.
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| This Carl Dame ad from the Oakland Tribune, May 1966, celebrated Rancho Solano’s Panorama Kitchen, with ceiling-high sliding glass windows. But behind the cheerful sketch—mom serving guests while everyone else relaxes—lurks a familiar '60s reality: suburban luxury, still built on traditional gender roles. |
Damè also sweetened the deal with extras: fully landscaped front yards, mature trees, backyard fencing, and wall-to-wall carpeting—all included in the base price. It was suburban living, leveled up.
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| From the 1967 Contra Costa Times—with model homes freshly redecorated and brochures updated, Rancho Solano didn’t just reopen—they threw a “fiesta.” And nothing said “festive” like a live mariachi band under the California sun. |
The homes of Rancho Solano
Kay Homes made a splash with their model home complex on Winslow Place. The cul-de-sac was left unpaved and transformed into a landscaped, walkable greenbelt—giving prospective buyers a preview of the neighborhood’s tranquil charm. A concrete path connected each home, creating a park-like atmosphere that still resonates in memory.
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| Map of the Rancho Solano model homes on Winslow Place in San Ramon. The home between models 2 and 3 is custom and was an empty lot during the selling period. |
Pricing history
- 1966: $23,650 - $27,650
- 1967: $24,350 - $27,950
- 1967 (Oct): $24,950 - $28,950
- 1968: $26,950 - $30,250
- 1968 (Dec): $27,850 - $31,150
The model homes
1. The Plan 1 (unknown name) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,533 sq. ft.
2. The Plan 2 (unknown name) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,530 sq. ft. A Carl Damè addition, this plan was a simplified version of Plan 424 without sunken spaces, ideal for practical buyers.
3. The Plan 614 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,053 sq. ft. San Ramon’s first tri-level home. With separate wings for entertaining and sleeping, it offered space and flow. Kids recall hiding (poorly) behind the entry stairwell.
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| A 1966 newspaper photo of the Plan 614 model home, featuring intricate carved wood window coverings and a beautifully crafted horizontal wood exterior. The design showcases the craftsmanship and attention to detail that defined Rancho Solano’s appeal during the mid-1960s. |
4. The Plan 424 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,795 sq. ft. The community favorite. This home featured the original Vista Kitchen, full of natural light and charm. The kitchen bar connected to the yard, perfect for social Sundays.
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| The innovative 1966 floor plan of the Plan 424, featuring a popular layout with distinct formal and casual living spaces, a dedicated bedroom wing, and a design that influenced homebuilding trends for over a decade. |
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| A 1966 Oakland Tribune photo showcasing the Plan 424 Vista Kitchen, featuring a wall of glass windows that invite natural light and offer a clear view of the outdoors—an innovative design element that made cooking a brighter, more open experience. |
5. The Plan 5 (unknown name) - 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,229 sq. ft. The showstopper. Beamed ceilings, a step-down living room with wrought-iron railings, and even an elevation with a front balcony made this the "wow" model.
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| A 1968 Contra Costa Times photo capturing the elegant sunken living room of the Plan 5 model. The space is framed by wrought-iron railings and styled with a printed couch, large lamps, and Mediterranean-inspired décor, reflecting the era’s taste for dramatic yet comfortable interiors. |
6. The Plan 6 (unknown name) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,645 sq. ft. A rare find introduced by Damè in 1967, known for its central kitchen and oversized family room.
7. The Plan 7 (unknown name) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,734 sq. ft. A four-bedroom version of Plan 1, offering flexibility for larger families.
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| A 1967 vintage ad illustrating the Plan 7 floor plan, featuring a central and sunken living room overlooking the backyard, a separate dining room, and a casual living area with kitchen, nook, and family room. The opposite wing housed four bedrooms, blending formal and everyday living spaces with thoughtful separation. |
Rancho Solano today
Here are what the former model homes look like today.
The Plan 1 today
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The Plan 2 today
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| This current photo of the Plan 2 home reveals its simplified design, a more straightforward layout compared to the Plan 424, retaining Carl Damè’s functional approach with clean lines and a practical single-story layout. |
The Plan 614 today
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| This current photo of the Plan 614 home highlights its tri-level design, providing multi-level living spaces that offer privacy and functionality for larger families, making it a standout in the neighborhood. |
The Plan 424 today
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| A current photo of the Plan 424 home, the most popular model in the neighborhood. The Vista Kitchen, with its expansive windows and bright, open layout, still stands as a defining feature of this model. |
The Plan 5 today
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| This current photo of the Plan 5 home, with its beamed ceilings and step-down living room, emphasizing the luxurious space and style that made this the largest option in the Rancho Solano neighborhood. |
The Plan 6 today
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| A current photo of the Plan 6 home, introduced in 1967. This single-level design, though less common in the neighborhood, features clean lines and a simpler layout that embodies mid-century modern simplicity. |
The Plan 7 today
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| A current photo of the Plan 7 home, featuring a more contemporary elevation with clean lines and a straightforward layout, offering four bedrooms in a spacious, functional design typical of mid-1960s suburban style. |
Buildout and beyond
By the end of 1968, Rancho Solano had sold out. One lot—left open during the model home phase to preserve green space—was eventually filled with a custom home, completing the neighborhood at 288 houses. Though it launched with plenty of fanfare, Rancho Solano wasn’t without its surprises. In 1971, geologists discovered the Calaveras Fault running beneath its eastern edge. Fortunately, the homes were already built—but developers like Tom Gentry, who owned the neighboring Lynnbrook tract, quickly adjusted their plans to avoid direct construction on the fault line.
Rancho Solano homes brought a new level of design sophistication to San Ramon, with open-beam ceilings, sunken living rooms, wide kitchen bars, and airy “Vista” or “Panorama” kitchens that connected indoors with out. Rancho Solano held onto a charm that couldn’t be duplicated. With its mature trees, quiet cul-de-sacs, and homes built with intention, it remains a lasting example of mid-century vision meeting everyday livability. Rancho Solano didn’t just promise more home—it delivered a better way to live.
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