San Ramon's Walnut Hills: 1966–1972 homes & subdivision history

Cover photo of a typical two-story home in San Ramon’s Walnut Hills neighborhood, built between 1966 and 1972. The home features a traditional suburban design with a front-facing garage, shuttered windows, and a simple, symmetrical façade—reflecting the practical and family-oriented architecture of the late 1960s.

Welcome to Walnut Hills

Set in the heart of an old walnut orchard, Walnut Hills opened in early 1966 with a marketing pitch no suburban buyer could resist: all the free walnuts you could ever want—right from your backyard. Developed by Brown & Kauffmann, the subdivision promised about 200 homes shaded by towering walnut trees and wrapped in country-club charm.

Map showing Walnut Hills neighborhood location in San Ramon, California.
Map of the Walnut Hills neighborhood in San Ramon, California.

Living among giants

Located in San Ramon’s county club neighborhood, Walnut Hills wasn’t just another subdivision—it was a lifestyle. Prices started at $26,950, a step above nearby tracts, but buyers gained eligibility for membership in the nearby San Ramon Country Club.

1966 Oakland Tribune ad for Walnut Hills subdivision, promoting homes with free backyard walnuts.
From an April 1966 Oakland Tribune ad—picture it: all the free walnuts you could ever want—without even leaving your driveway. Suburbia had it all.

From Spanish-style façades to cathedral-like canopies, the trees were the stars of the show. They weren’t just curb appeal—they were a whole forest.

1968 ad highlighting mature walnut trees and suburban appeal of Walnut Hills homes in San Ramon.
From a May 1968 Oakland Tribune ad—why stop at curb appeal when you can go full forest?

The 1966 homes of Walnut Hills

Model home complex (1966–1968): Northland Avenue

Brown & Kauffmann opened their first model complex at Northland Avenue and May Way.

Map of original Walnut Hills model home complex on Northland Avenue in San Ramon.
Map of the first Walnut Hills model complex on Northland Avenue at May Way in San Ramon.

Pricing history

  • 1966: $26,950 - $31,500
  • 1967: $28,450 - $32,950
  • 1968: $28,450 - $32,950

Model homes

1. The Plan 1 (unknown name) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,706 sq. ft.

1966 newspaper ad showing Plan 1 model home in Walnut Hills under mature walnut trees.
From an April 1966 Daily Review—the Plan 1 under towering walnut trees.

2. The Almaden - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,721 sq. ft.

3. The Heritage Home - 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,247 or 2,423 sq. ft.

Heritage Home model home framed by walnut trees, featured in 1967 Oakland Tribune ad.
From a July 1967 Oakland Tribune—The Heritage House, perfectly framed by majestic walnut trees—until the roots met the sprinkler system.

4. The Los Altos - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,935 sq. ft. The late addition for more variety.

Los Altos model home with Spanish design and mature tree canopy, 1966 ad.
From an October 1966 Oakland Tribune—Spanish flair and sky-high trees in the Los Altos model—because in the ’60s, big dreams (and landscaping) knew no limits.

Floor plan of the Los Altos model from 1966 Oakland Tribune ad.
From a September 1966 Oakland Tribune ad—the floor plan of the Los Altos model.

After 80 homes, Brown & Kauffmann wrapped up the first phase in 1968 and sold the remaining lots to other builders. These homes were built along Northland Avenue, Devon Court, Amherst Court, and May Way.

1966 Walnut Hills today

Here’s what the former 1966 Walnut Hills model homes look like today.

The Plan 1 today

Current view of the original Plan 1 model home in Walnut Hills, San Ramon.
The original Plan 1 model today.

The Almaden today

Present-day photo of the original Almaden model home in Walnut Hills.
The original Almaden model today.

The Heritage Home today

Modern view of the Heritage Home model in Walnut Hills neighborhood.
The original Heritage Home model today.

The Los Altos today

Current appearance of Los Altos model home in Walnut Hills, San Ramon.
The original Los Altos model today.

The 1969 homes of Walnut Hills: Young America Homes

Young America Homes took over in 1969 with big plans—107 homes with prices from $32,950 to $35,950. Their homes offered extras like walk-in closets, California island kitchens, and high-gloss marketing charm. But by 1970, they had only built 34 scattered homes and exited the scene. These homes were built in incongruous pockets along Ernwood Place, Kent Place, and the four models on Northland Place.

Model home complex (1969–1970): Northland Place

The second model complex, built by Young America Homes, opened on Northland Place.

Map of Young America Homes model complex on Northland Place in Walnut Hills.
Map of the Young America model home complex on Northland Place.

Pricing history

  • 1969: $31,950 - $35,950
  • 1970: $31,950 - $35,950

Model homes

1. The Wente - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,921 sq. ft.

2. The Glen Ellen - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,859 sq. ft.

3. The Cresta Blanca - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,212 sq. ft.

1969 ad for Young America Homes in Walnut Hills, featuring island kitchens and walk-in closets.
From an June 1969 Contra Costa Times ad—The Cresta Blanca, where the walk-in closet was bigger than your first apartment—and the California island kitchen made every night feel like a cocktail party.

4. The Inglenook - 4 bedroom, 3 bathrooms, 2,167 sq. ft.

1969 Walnut Hills today

Here’s what the 1969 Walnut Hills model homes look like today.

The Wente today

Original Wente model home from 1969, formerly the sales office, as it appears today.
The original Wente model today. It also was the sales office.

The Glen Ellen today

Current view of the Glen Ellen model home in Walnut Hills’ second phase.
The original Glen Ellen model today.

The Cresta Blanca today

Present-day photo of the Cresta Blanca model home in San Ramon’s Walnut Hills.
The original Cresta Blanca model today.

The Inglenook today

Original Inglenook model home in Walnut Hills, photographed in its current state.
The original Inglenook model today.

The 1971 homes of Walnut Hills: Brown & Kauffmann return

In 1971, the original builders returned to finish what they started. The final 71 homes, located primarily along May Way, were angled on their lots for privacy—a rare touch. These homes sold out by 1972, and one final custom home filled the last empty lot in 1977.

Model home complex (1971–1972): May Way

The third model complex was on May Way between Davona and Northland place.

Map of third-phase model home complex along May Way in Walnut Hills, San Ramon.
Map of the third Walnut Hills model home complex on May Way.

Pricing history

  • 1971: $24,950 + 
  • 1972: $25,950 + 

Model homes

4. The Meadow Park - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,548 sq. ft.

1971 Walnut Hills today

Here’s what the 1971 former Walnut Hills models look like today.

The Meadow Park today

Current photo of Meadow Park model home built during final Walnut Hills phase in early 1970s.
The original Meadow Park model today.

A living legacy

What began as a bold vision of orchard living faced the challenges of builder turnover and disappearing trees. Today, Walnut Hills remains a neighborhood rooted in its agrarian past—even if the only walnuts now come from Safeway.

Its leafy streets and enduring mid-century charm stand as a tribute to San Ramon’s evolution—from farmland to suburbia, with a little fanfare and a lot of shade.

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