Casa Mañana (San Ramon, 1965)

San Ramon > South San Ramon > Country Club > Casa Mañana

Between 1965 and 1969, McGah-Bailey brought their vision of the future to the Country Club neighborhood in San Ramon in the form of Casa Mañana—“House of Tomorrow.” But timing is everything, and their futuristic homes had a slow takeoff.

The subdivision debuted with three model homes priced between $23,500 and $26,500—on the high side for the area. One standout featured the Island Kitchen, a forward-thinking layout with a seating bar that felt more 1975 than 1965. But across the street, H.C. Elliott’s Crestview homes offered similar space for less. The comparison wasn’t flattering, and buyers noticed.

Vintage ad for the grand opening of Casa Mañana in San Ramon, showcasing four floor plans. The ad features architectural renderings of the homes with labeled layouts, emphasizing modern design and spacious living. Promotional text invites visitors to explore the models, highlighting the neighborhood’s unique offerings.

June 1966 Oakland Tribune ad—four smaller homes were introduced to lower the starting price in this premium subdivision.

Selling the subdivision

By mid-1966, McGah-Bailey hit refresh. Out went one of the pricier models, and in came four smaller, more affordable homes—complete with front lawns, fencing, and insulation. The new starting price? Just $19,950. No need to haggle for extras—everything but the furniture was included.

The rebranded message was clear: These are homes for today. Even carpeting, once an upgrade, became standard fare by 1967. “All you do is move in,” promised the ads.

Vintage September 1965 ad for "The House of Tomorrow" at Casa Mañana in San Ramon. The ad showcases a sleek, mid-century modern home with a futuristic design, featuring large windows, open spaces, and a minimalist aesthetic. The promotional text highlights innovative features and forward-thinking architecture, reflecting the 1960s vision of modern suburban living.

September 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—why settle for square? This space-age island brings all the curves—and all the conversation.

Vintage February 1967 Oakland Tribune ad for new homes at Casa Mañana in San Ramon. The ad emphasizes that unlike other developments, these homes came “complete,” with no additional projects required. The text promotes the homes as fully finished and ready for immediate living, highlighting convenience and modern design.

February 1967 Oakland Tribune ad—new homes always came with new projects, but not here, the homes came complete.

Legacy of Casa Mañana

Today, Casa Mañana may no longer be the new kid on the block, but its homes still whisper of mid-century optimism. Tucked into San Ramon’s quiet streets, these ranchers carry their original character with surprising grace—breezy floor plans, wide lots, and yes, the occasional surviving island kitchen.

While other subdivisions grew with flashier designs or larger footprints, Casa Mañana has remained charmingly understated. These were homes designed not just to impress, but to live in—carpeted, fenced, and lawned from day one. In a time when “extras” often came extra, McGah-Bailey gave buyers a turnkey slice of the good life.

For those who appreciate a bit of real estate time travel, Casa Mañana offers a glimpse into a builder’s one-shot dream: practical, hopeful, and a little bit ahead of its time.

Exploring the original Casa Mañana today

Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Casa Mañana model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of McGah-Bailey's vision for suburban living in 1965.

Today, they provide a tangible connection to Casa Mañana earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.

The original prices

1965: $23,500 - $26,500
1966: $19,950 - $27,475
1967: $24,350 - $27,250
1968: $25,850 - $28,600
1969: $28,950 +

The original model home complex

The model complex was on the west side of Davona Drive at Duke Drive. Between 1965 and 1967, Casa Mañana expanded to include nine model homes.

By 1968, the lineup had slimmed to just four plans, and by 1969, the neighborhood was built out and fully sold. Though McGah-Bailey never returned to build again in San Ramon, their one and only contribution left a curious and charming footprint in the city’s suburban story.