Kitchen with a view: Rancho Solano rises

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.

Location of the Rancho Solano neighborhood in San Ramon.

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. The name may have been a slightly misspelled nod to Spanish ("Solana" instead of "Solano"), but the homes themselves were no mistake. They 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.

From the 1967 Oakland Tribune—In the marketing arms race of the suburbs, this was the promise: come home to more—because less is what your neighbors settled for.

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.

In an era of mass production, the entry door was one of the few places builders indulged in 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 relabeling the kitchen layout as the Panorama Kitchen. The update retained the expansive glass and backyard access but leaned even more into the idea of indoor-outdoor living.

In the Oakland Tribune ad: It’s 2 p.m. on a Saturday in 1966, and the modern American housewife is hard at work—serving snacks from her spotless kitchen while the party unfolds outside.

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.

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.

Rancho Solano model homes

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.

Site of the Rancho Solano model homes.

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

1. The Plan 1 (unknown name) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,533 sq. ft. 

The original Plan 1 model today.

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.

The original Plan 2 model today.

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 angled stairwell.

The original Plan 614 model today (home updated).

The original Plan 614 model in 1966.

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.

The original Plan 424 model today.

The floor plan of the Plan 424.

From the 1966 Oakland Tribune—and for weekend browsers touring model homes, the message was clear: life looks best through a carefully positioned wall of glass.

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.

The original Plan 5 model today.

From the 1968 Contra Costa Times—sunken rooms just enough to feel formal, flanked by iron railings, and lit by lamps the size of toddlers—this was where the drama unfolded.

Fan favorite alternative elevation in the Monterey style.

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.

The original Plan 6 model today.

7. The Plan 7 (unknown name) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,734 sq. ft. Essentially a four-bedroom version of Plan 1, offering flexibility for larger families.

The original Plan 7 today.

The floor plan of the Plan 7.

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.