Rancho Solano — tract homes in San Ramon (1966)
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.
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.
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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. |
Where is Rancho Solano in San Ramon?
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| Annotated aerial map of the Rancho Solano tract in the Montevideo neighborhood in San Ramon, California. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
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.
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.
Selling the tract
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.
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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| From the 1967 Contra Costa Times—after Damè acquired full control of the tract, he introduced new models and threw a grand re-opening “fiesta.” And nothing said “festive” like a live mariachi band under the California sun. |
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| From a March 1968 Oakland Tribune photo—A view of the formal spaces inside the Plan 424, with arched dining room, tiled entryway, and sunken living room. |
Pricing history of Rancho Solano homes
- 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 homes of Rancho Solano
When Rancho Solano opened, buyers toured a carefully staged collection of Kay model homes showcasing the neighborhood’s mix of architecture, indoor-outdoor living, and family-oriented floor plans. Though individual elevations varied, these original models helped define much of the neighborhood’s visual identity.
The five original models opened in 1966 on Winslow Place, when the street was still sod-covered and unpaved—inviting families to image a tranquil charm. After Damè took over the development in 1967, two more models were added.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Rancho Solano model home complex on Winslow Place. Base imagery from Apple Maps. The home between models 2 and 3 is custom and was an empty lot during the selling period. |
Model homes of Rancho Solano
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.
3. The Plan 614 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,053 sq. ft. San Ramon’s first tri-level home.
4. The Plan 424 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,795 sq. ft.
5. The Plan 5 (unknown name) - 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,229 sq. ft.
6. The Plan 6 (unknown name) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,645 sq. ft. Introduced by Damè in 1967.
7. The Plan 7 (unknown name) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,734 sq. ft. A four-bedroom version of Plan 1.
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| Original Plan 2 model today via Google Street View. |
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| Original Plan 614 model today via Google Street View. |
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| Original Plan 424 model today via Google Street View. |
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| Original Plan 5 model today via Google Street View. |
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| Original Plan 6 model today via Google Street View. |
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| Original Plan 7 model today via Google Street View. |
Legacy of Rancho Solano
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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