San Ramon's Twin Creeks South: 1977–1980 homes & subdivision history

Welcome to Twin Creeks South

In the late 1970s, San Ramon was transforming. What had once been rolling ranchlands and quiet hillsides was evolving into a vibrant suburban community. At the heart of this transformation was developer Carl Damé, whose vision for Twin Creeks had begun more than a decade earlier.

Originally launched in 1969, the Twin Creeks neighborhood started as a modest, somewhat isolated suburban outpost—“the middle of nowhere” to many. Yet its promise was clear: a new way of living amidst the green hills of the San Ramon Valley.

By the time Twin Creeks South broke ground between 1977 and 1980, it was the largest and most ambitious phase of this ongoing project with nearly 1,000 homes. But it was far from the last. Damé's expansion continued with Twin Creeks Hills in 1981, further shaping the landscape and lifestyle of this burgeoning East Bay suburb.

Map of the Twin Creeks neighborhood in San Ramon, California. Twin Creeks South is largely between Norris Canyon Road and Bollinger Canyon Road.

Suburban promise: San Ramon and the Bay Area in transition

The late 1970s brought both opportunity and challenge. Interstate 680 had recently improved connectivity, making commuting possible for those working in Walnut Creek, San Jose, or further afield. The area around Twin Creeks was still primarily rural—one school, no shopping centers, and open fields.

Yet the Bay Area’s population pressures pushed families to seek homes farther from the urban core. The suburban dream beckoned with larger lots, private amenities, and community spirit—values that Twin Creeks South aimed to embody.

Vintage 1978 ad for Twin Creeks South by Carl Damé, announcing the grand opening of Phase 2. With 11 model homes to choose from and prices starting at $86,950, the ad romanticized San Ramon’s natural beauty as the backdrop for a better life. “This is the place… untouched… beautiful,” it reads, positioning Twin Creeks South as an escape to the “rich, unspoiled San Ramon Valley”—where outdoor living met suburban comfort.

Damé Country: the vision behind Twin Creeks

Carl Damé was no stranger to the trials of developing on the edge. His original Twin Creeks project, started in 1969, was a gamble on location and lifestyle. Over the years, Damé expanded thoughtfully, carving out subdivisions that offered variety and choice while maintaining a cohesive community feel.

Twin Creeks South represented the next frontier of this vision, featuring three distinct enclaves:

• Twin Creeks South Courtside — compact, zero-lot-line detached homes designed for minimal upkeep

• Twin Creeks South Poolside — attached townhomes with shared access to pools and tennis courts

• Twin Creeks South View Homes (later renamed "Twin Creeks South Estate Homes") — executive residences on large, scenic lots

All residents shared access to a private pool, cabana club, and tennis courts—a hallmark of Damé's commitment to quality of life.

The homes of Twin Creeks South Courtside

Four model homes opened on Norris Canyon Road.

Map of the Twin Creek South Courtside model home complex on Norris Canyon Road at Sherbear Drive.

Model homes

1. The Plan 1 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,713 sq. ft.

2. The Magellan - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1,880 sq. ft.

3. The Serenade - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,704 sq. ft.

4. The Diablo - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,717 sq. ft.

Pricing history

• 1977: $76,950 - $84,950
• 1978: $84,950 +
• 1979: $97,950 - $99,950
• 1980: $108,950 - $113,950

Twin Creek South Courtside today

Here’s what the former Courtside models look like today.

The Plan 1 today

Once the entry-level model in the Courtside series, this single-story Plan 1 featured a compact yet contemporary layout designed for low-maintenance suburban living. Its zero-lot-line placement and clean architectural lines reflect the practical elegance of late-1970s design.

The Magellan today

With its tile roof and two-story elevation, the Magellan model blended Mediterranean flair with suburban efficiency. Designed to maximize interior space on a compact lot, it was among the larger Courtside options in Twin Creeks South.

The Serenade today

The Serenade model offered vertical living in a narrow footprint. Its efficient two-story layout made it ideal for growing families seeking a manageable home with modern flair and minimal yard upkeep.

The Diablo today

The Diablo plan stood out with its compact single-story layout and tile roof, offering a spacious yet low-maintenance home. Its relaxed design was perfect for buyers drawn to indoor-outdoor California living.

The homes of Twin Creeks South Poolside

Four attached townhouses opened on Norris Canyon Road.

Map of the Twin Creek South Poolside model home complex on Norris Canyon Road and Marsh Drive.

Model homes

1. The Bonita - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,425 sq. ft.

2. The Majorca - 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1,600 sq. ft.

3. The Cortez - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1,800 sq. ft.

4. The Rafael - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,640 sq. ft.

Pricing history

• 1977: $74,950 - $77,950
• 1978: $77,950 +
• 1979: $93,950 +

Twin Creeks South Poolside today

Here’s what the former Poolside models look like today.

Twin Creeks South Poolside model homes: These attached townhomes—(left to right) Rafael, Cortez, Majorca, and Bonita—offered buyers a low-maintenance lifestyle with shared access to pools, tennis courts, and greenbelts. Designed with compact footprints and private patios, each plan featured generous interior layouts ranging from 3 to 4 bedrooms and up to 1,800 sq. ft., making them an appealing choice for active families and professionals alike.

The homes of Twin Creeks South View Homes

Seven executive homes opened on Norris Canyon Road. Many sit on estate-sized lots. Out of 153 homes built in the first phase, all but 15 were sold in the first month.

Map of the Twin Creeks South View Homes model home complex on Norris Canyon Road at Celaya Circle.

Model homes

1. The Mirador - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,070 sq. ft.

2. The Plaza - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,425 sq. ft. A tri-level home.

3. The Monterey - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,825 sq. ft. This model was revised in 1979 to include a wet bar and grew to 1,900 sq. ft.

4. The Vallejo - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,025 sq. ft.

5. The Plan 5 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,552 sq. ft.

6. The Moraga - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,575 sq. ft.

7. The Plan 7 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,029 sq. ft.

Pricing history

• 1977: $81,950 +
• 1978: $86,950 +
• 1979 (Phase 3): $97,950 - $127,950
• 1980 (January): $108,950 +
• 1980 (March): $117,950 - $149,950

Twin Creeks South View Homes today

Here’s what the former View Homes models look like today.

A Mirador today

While the original Mirador model home remains elusive, this similar home elsewhere in Twin Creeks South captures the style and spacious layout that made the Mirador so desirable in 1977—especially its wide footprint and 3-car garage, ideal for suburban living with room to grow.

The Plaza today

With its tri-level design and generous square footage, the Plaza model reflected the aspirations of upwardly mobile buyers looking for architectural flair and space to entertain.

The Monterey today

The Monterey’s wide layout and optional wet bar made it a favorite for those embracing the era’s casual elegance—cocktail-ready and family-friendly.

The Vallejo today

The Vallejo model brought a sense of prestige with its grand two-story profile—appealing to buyers seeking both formality and everyday function in the scenic San Ramon Valley.

The Plan 5 today

This smaller estate home blended contemporary style with low-maintenance appeal—a practical choice for buyers wanting quality design without excess.

The Moraga today

The Moraga was the crown jewel of Twin Creeks South—its sprawling layout, 3-car garage, and upscale finishes appealed to buyers seeking status and space in the foothills.

The Plan 7 today

Plan 7 delivered versatility in a manageable two-story footprint—perfect for families who wanted a classic design with just enough space to grow.

Creative sales in a volatile market

As construction began in late 1977, the market seemed strong. But by 1980, interest rates had climbed to unprecedented levels—over 16% in some cases. Homebuilders across the country slowed production. Buyers hesitated.

Dáme responded with an innovative solution:

$540/month cash back for two years, issued to new homeowners as a refund to offset high interest payments.

This strategy—unusual at the time—proved effective. Twin Creeks South not only weathered the downturn but sold out entirely by mid-1980.

From a May 1980 San Francisco Chronicle—“Damé Does It Again.” The campaign helped drive sales through the final phase of Twin Creeks South—proving that creative financing could be just as important as architecture.

Legacy of Twin Creeks South

The Poolside homes sold out in late 1979, the View Homes sold out in early 1980, and the Courtside homes sold out mid-1980. With the Twin Creeks South phase complete, Damé pressed onward to develop Twin Creeks Hills starting in 1981—expanding his vision and San Ramon’s suburban footprint.

Twin Creeks South was more than just a collection of homes; it was a milestone in San Ramon’s growth, a community born of foresight and adaptability. Starting in 1969 and evolving through 1980 and beyond, the Twin Creeks developments helped shape the East Bay’s suburban landscape.

Today, “Damé Country” lives on in its streets, parks, and memories—a testament to one developer’s long-term vision and the families who made it home.