Between 1965 and 1969, McGah-Bailey brought their vision of the future to San Ramon in the form of the Casa Mañana new-home community—“House of Tomorrow.” But timing is everything, and their futuristic homes had a slow takeoff.
The community 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.
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| June 1966 Oakland Tribune ad—four smaller homes were introduced to lower the starting price in this premium subdivision. |
Selling the dream
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 dropped to $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.
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| September 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—why settle for square? This space-age island brings all the curves—and all the conversation. |
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| 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.
Original advertised prices
- 1965: $23,500 - $26,500
- 1966: $19,950 - $27,475
- 1967: $24,350 - $27,250
- 1968: $25,850 - $28,600
- 1969: From $28,950
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.
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| Annotated aerial map of the original Casa Mañana model home complex on Davona Drive. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
Original model home designs
1. The Plan 1532 - This model offered approximately 1,532 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 1532 model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Plan 2190 - This model offered approximately 2,190 square feet with up to 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 2190 model today. |
3. The Plan 1686 - This model offered approximately 1,686 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Typically built on corner lots and the garage faced the side.
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| Original Plan 1686 model today. |
4. The Plan 1470 - This model offered approximately 1,470 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Added in 1966.
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| Original Plan 1470 model today via Google Street View. |
5. The Plan 1565 - This model offered approximately 1,565 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Added in 1966.
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| Original Plan 1565 model today via Google Street View. |
6. The Plan 1125 - This model offered approximately 1,125 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Added in 1966.
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| Original Plan 1125 model today via Google Street View. |
7. The Plan 1250 - This model offered approximately 1,250 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Added in 1966.
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| Original Plan 1250 model today via Google Street View. |
8. The Plan 1889 - This model offered approximately 1,889 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Added in 1967.
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| Original Plan 1889 model today via Google Street View. |
9. The Plan 1812 - This model offered approximately 1,812 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Added in 1967.
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| Original Plan 1812 model today via Google Street View. |
Collections
San Ramon — the neighborhoods that built a suburban city
This collection explores the new-home communities, builders, and neighborhoods that shaped San Ramon during its principle years of suburban growth that gradually became the modern city.
The San Ramon Village collection explores the master-planned community that transformed former ranches and orchards into today's Dublin and South San Ramon. Although the name has largely disappeared, the neighborhoods, subdivisions, schools, parks, and shopping centers built as part of the original plan continue to shape the Tri-Valley.
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