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.
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| From an April 1966 Oakland Tribune ad—picture it: all the free walnuts you could ever want—without even leaving your driveway. |
Selling the subdivision
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.
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| From an April 1966 Daily Review—the Plan 1 under towering walnut trees. |
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| From a July 1967 Oakland Tribune—The Heritage House, perfectly framed by majestic walnut trees—until the roots met the sprinkler system. |
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| 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. |
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| From a May 1968 Oakland Tribune ad—why stop at curb appeal when you can go full forest? |
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| From a September 1966 Oakland Tribune ad—the floor plan of the Los Altos model. |
Young America Homes arrives (1969)
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.
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| 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. |
Brown & Kauffmann return (1971)
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.
Legacy of Walnut Hills
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.
Exploring the original Walnut Hills today
Although the sales offices are long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Walnut Hills model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Brown & Kauffmann's vision for suburban living in 1966.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Walnut Hills' earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complexes, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
The original prices
- 1966: $26,950 - $31,500
- 1967: $28,450 - $32,950
- 1968: $28,450 - $32,950
- 1969 (Young America Homes): $31,950 - $35,950
- 1970 (Young America Homes): $31,950 - $35,950
- 1971: $24,950 +
- 1972: $25,950 +
The first original model home complex (1966–1968)
When Walnut Hills opened, buyers toured a carefully staged collection of Brown & Kauffmann 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 three original models opened in 1966 on Northland Avenue. Later that year, a fourth model arrived.
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| Annotated aerial map of the first Walnut Hills model home complex on Northland Avenue. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
The original model homes
1. The Plan 1 (unknown name) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,706 sq. ft.
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| Original Plan 1 model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Almaden - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,721 sq. ft.
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| Original Almaden model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Heritage Home - 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,247 or 2,423 sq. ft.
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| Original Heritage Home model today via Google Street View. |
4. The Los Altos - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,935 sq. ft. The late addition for more variety.
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| Original Los Altos model today. via Google Street View |
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.
The second original model home complex (Young American Homes 1969–1970)
The second model complex, built by Young America Homes, opened on Northland Place.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Young America model home complex on Northland Place. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
The original model homes
1. The Wente - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,921 sq. ft.
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| Original Wente model today via Google Street View. It also was the sales office. |
2. The Glen Ellen - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,859 sq. ft.
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| Original Glen Ellen model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Cresta Blanca - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,212 sq. ft.
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| Original Cresta Blanca model today via Google Street View. |
4. The Inglenook - 4 bedroom, 3 bathrooms, 2,167 sq. ft.
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| Original Inglenook model today via Google Street View. |
The third original model home complex (Brown & Kauffmann 1971–1972)
The third model complex was on May Way between Davona and Northland place.
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| Annotated aerial map of the third Walnut Hills model home complex on May Way. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
The original model homes
4. The Meadow Park - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,548 sq. ft.
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| Original Meadow Park model today via Google Street View. |
Related stories
- Country Club Park — San Ramon’s country club dream
- The Orchards (San Ramon, 1968)
- The last walnut orchard — suburban transformation in San Ramon
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