San Ramon's Rancho Ramon: 1975–1978 homes & subdivision history
Rancho Ramon: a new vision for suburban living (1975–1978)
In late 1975, a new chapter began in San Ramon’s suburban evolution. Shapell Industries, newly arrived from Southern California, initiated a bold and modern development called Rancho Ramon—their first foray into northern California homebuilding. Over the course of three years, they would introduce 262 homes that marked a stylistic and cultural shift from the familiar ranch houses of earlier decades to something larger, more vertical, and more aspirational.
The timing was significant: this was the first large-scale housing project in San Ramon in four years, signaling renewed growth and confidence in the area. It also reflected a deeper desire—shared by homebuyers and developers alike—for homes that embodied space, modernity, and status.
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| Vintage advertisement from the Concord Transcript, February 1976, warmly inviting the public to the grand opening of Rancho Ramon. The ad features an illustration of a stately two-story home with a three-car garage—symbolic of the larger, more contemporary homes shaping San Ramon's suburban growth. |
Aspirations in architecture
Set on generous 10,000 sq. ft. lots, the homes of Rancho Ramon broke from the low-slung ranch styles that had dominated postwar California suburbs. Instead, they featured soaring cathedral ceilings, expansive windows, and two-story layouts with square footages approaching 3,000. These were homes designed to impress, as much about image as function. Every plan included a three-car garage, a novelty and a nod to the growing affluence and auto-dependence of the suburban family.
Buyers were also drawn to thoughtful touches: Spanish tile or cedar shake roofs, ceramic-tiled foyers, and all-electric kitchens—futuristic in their time. Master suites often included walk-in closets, and several floor plans incorporated custom fireplace designs, enhancing the sense of luxury.
Cultural notes:
The mid-1970s were a moment of architectural experimentation and social optimism, despite larger economic uncertainties. Energy concerns were growing—California was reeling from the energy crisis of the early decade—and Shapell responded with insulation, weatherstripping, and security features like deadbolts. These choices reflect both a pragmatic response to national anxieties and a desire for permanence and security in one’s home.
Community by design
Rancho Ramon wasn’t just about housing—it was about creating a neighborhood identity. The development bordered Athan Downs Park, offering residents instant access to open space and recreational areas, while the Alamo Hills formed a picturesque backdrop. These natural elements reinforced the ideal of the suburban “retreat”—close to nature, yet firmly within the orbit of a growing Bay Area metropolis.
By February 22, 1976, a six-home model complex was unveiled on Oakham Court, drawing crowds of curious potential buyers. Even before the grand opening, 35 homes had been pre-sold—a testament to the community's appetite for modern living.
The Fairways: golf course prestige
In late 1976, Shapell unveiled the Fairways Series, a premium addition built around the San Ramon Country Club (today’s San Ramon Golf Club). These homes, many backing directly onto the fairways, offered views and exclusivity. At a time when golf course living was regaining popularity—mirroring the development of Crow Canyon Country Club in neighboring Danville—these homes carried lot premiums and further expanded Rancho Ramon’s appeal.
Here, one can trace the emergence of a lifestyle-oriented suburb, where homes were not merely shelters but statements—reflecting a desire for leisure, beauty, and refinement in everyday life.
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| Vintage advertisement from the Contra Costa Times, June 1977, promoting the exclusive Fairway Series at Rancho Ramon. Positioned along the San Ramon Country Club golf course, these homes were marketed with prestige and privacy in mind. The ad's inviting tagline reads: “For a fortunate few, Shapell is building superb homes overlooking the golf course at San Ramon. Shall we build one for you?” |
Where they were built
Rancho Ramon was built across three separate tracts. Two in the Montevideo neighborhood, and a third around the San Ramon Country Club (now San Ramon Golf Club).
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| Map of the Montevideo neighborhood in San Ramon, highlighting the two separate tracts of the Rancho Ramon development built by Shapell Industries between 1975 and 1978. These early tracts introduced a new suburban scale to San Ramon’s growing residential landscape. |
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| Map of the Pine Valley neighborhood in San Ramon, showing the Fairway Series tract of Rancho Ramon along the San Ramon Country Club golf course. Built beginning in 1976, these homes offered premium golf course frontage and represented a new level of exclusivity in local residential development. |
The homes of Rancho Ramon
The model home complex was opened on Oakham Court, with six homes for viewing. Homes were tastefully decorated by interior designer Barbara Elliott.
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| Map of the Rancho Ramon model home complex on Oakham Court in San Ramon. The map shows the layout of six model homes that introduced Shapell’s new residential designs to prospective buyers during the grand opening. |
Pricing history
- 1975: $66,700 +
- Feb 1976: $66,700 to mid-$80,000s
- Nov 1976 (Fairway Series): $72,800 +
- 1977 (Fairway Series): $88,950 +
- 1978: (Fairway Series): $94,950 +
Model homes
1. The Plan 1 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,842 sq. ft.
2. The Plan 2 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms; 2,448 - 2,465 sq. ft. A split-level home.
3. The Plan 3 - 4 or 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms; 2,391 - 2,423 sq. ft.
4. The Plan 4 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms; 2,720 sq. ft.
5. The Plan 5 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 2,112 sq. ft.
6. The Plan 6 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms; 2,989 - 3,006 sq. ft.
Rancho Ramon today
Here are the former model homes as they appear today.
The Plan 1 today
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| Contemporary photo of Plan 1, the smallest of the Rancho Ramon model homes. With its single-story design and modest footprint, this plan offered efficient living while preserving Shapell’s architectural flair. |
The Plan 2 today
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| Current view of Plan 2, a distinctive split-level model at Rancho Ramon. This home was designed to offer vertical separation of living spaces—a modern feature for mid-1970s suburban homes. |
The Plan 3 today
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| Plan 3 as it appears today. One of Rancho Ramon’s most flexible layouts, this model allowed for up to five bedrooms and emphasized adaptable family living spaces. |
The Plan 4 today
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| Present-day image of Plan 4, one of the larger and more formal two-story homes in Rancho Ramon. Popular with growing families in the late 1970s, this model emphasized space and structure. |
The Plan 5 today
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| Although a photo of the original Plan 5 model remains elusive, this similar Rancho Ramon home captures the plan’s single-story design and exterior styling. The home reflects the same footprint and architectural features typical of Plan 5. |
The Plan 6 today
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| Modern photo of Plan 6, the largest of the original Rancho Ramon models. At nearly 3,000 sq. ft., this two-story home was built for scale, comfort, and presence—an aspirational design for its time. |
Legacy of Rancho Ramon
Rancho Ramon was more than a subdivision—it was a signpost of San Ramon's transformation. From a patchwork of ranches and orchards, the city was growing into a master-planned community with an eye on the future. Shapell’s success here would lead directly to their next major development: Inverness Park, just to the north.
Today, the original homes still stand, lived in and cherished. Some have been remodeled, expanded, while others carefully preserved. But the bones of those 1976 dreams remain—and with them, a story about what we wanted, who we were, and how San Ramon became home.
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