Twin Creeks South Courtside — Damé tract homes in San Ramon (1977)

By the late 1970s, San Ramon’s transformation from ranchland to suburb was accelerating rapidly. Developer Carl Damé had already spent more than a decade shaping Twin Creeks into one of Contra Costa County’s most ambitious master-planned communities, and Twin Creeks South became its largest expansion yet.

Among the many neighborhoods built during this phase was Courtside, a compact collection of detached zero-lot-line homes introduced in 1977. While much of suburban development during the era emphasized ever-larger houses and oversized lots, Courtside offered something slightly different: smaller footprints, reduced maintenance, and efficient family-oriented design within the larger Twin Creeks lifestyle.

The homes combined contemporary late-1970s styling with many of the amenities buyers had come to expect in Twin Creeks — community pools, tennis courts, landscaped greenbelts, and access to one of San Ramon’s fastest-growing suburban environments.

A November 1977 Contra Costa Times ad with grand opening specials for the Twin Creek South Courtside homes, free air conditioning.
From a November 1977 Contra Costa Times ad—in a joint ad with Twin Creeks South Poolside, a grand opening special included no recurring closing costs and air conditioning.

Where is Twin Creeks in San Ramon?

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

Selling the tract

Courtside was marketed as a modern suburban alternative for buyers who wanted the benefits of Twin Creeks South without the upkeep of a traditional large-lot home. The detached zero-lot-line design allowed for smaller yards while still preserving the feel of a single-family neighborhood.

Advertisements emphasized comfort, recreation, and contemporary conveniences. Homes included features that felt upscale for the period: Whirlpool tubs, cultured marble bathroom vanities, recessed kitchen lighting, built-in barbecues, gas log fireplace starters, and mirrored closet doors trimmed in anodized gold.

Many features reflected changing expectations in suburban housing during the late 1970s. Air conditioning, smoke detectors, fully fenced yards, and energy-conscious construction were increasingly presented not as luxuries, but as necessities for modern family living.

Courtside buyers also gained access to the broader Twin Creeks South recreational system, including swimming pools, cabanas, tennis courts, and landscaped common areas — part of Carl Damé’s larger vision of creating a self-contained suburban community.

A December 1977 Oakland Tribune text ad that sells the location of Twin Creeks South, unspoiled and beautiful San Ramon.
From a December 1977 Oakland Tribune ad—this is the place. Twin Creeks South was a new concept of a complete community in an untouched and beautiful location. 

An April 1979 Oakland Tribune ad showing the Magellan home, and features such as fully fenced yards, recessed kitchen lighting, and anodized gold mirrored closet doors.
From an April 1979 Oakland Tribune ad—homes came with fully fenced yards, recessed "Live-Light" kitchen panel lighting, and anodized gold mirrored closet doors. 

A February 1980 Oakland Tribune ad announcing the final release of Twin Creeks South Courtside homes.
From a February 1980 Oakland Tribune ad—near close out, just 25 homes remained at $108,960 to $113,950, with 11% financing.

Pricing history of Twin Creeks South Courtside

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

The homes of Twin Creeks South Courtside

When Twin Creeks South Courtside opened, buyers toured a carefully staged collection of Damé 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 four original models opened in 1977 on Norris Canyon Road.

Twin Creeks South Courtside map showing models in San Ramon
Annotated aerial map of the Twin Creeks South Courtside model home complex on Norris Canyon Road. Base imagery from Apple Maps.

Model homes of Twin Creeks South Courtside

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.

Current appearance of the original Courtside Plan 1 home in San Ramon's Twin Creeks South.
Original Plan 1 model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Courtside Magallen home in San Ramon's Twin Creeks South.
Original Magellan model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Courtside Serenade home in San Ramon's Twin Creeks South.
Original Serenade model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Courtside Diablo home in San Ramon's Twin Creeks South.
Original Diablo model today via Google Street View.

Legacy of Twin Creeks South Courtside

The Courtside homes sold out by mid-1980 as Twin Creeks South neared completion. By then, San Ramon’s suburban expansion was accelerating into the hills, and Carl Damé soon shifted attention toward the next phase of development: Twin Creeks Hills.

Today, the Courtside homes reflect an important transitional moment in East Bay suburban design. Built during a period of rising housing costs and changing buyer priorities, they balanced the amenities of a master-planned community with smaller lots and lower-maintenance living.

Though more modest than some earlier Twin Creeks developments, the Courtside homes helped broaden the appeal of Twin Creeks South and remain a recognizable part of San Ramon’s late-1970s suburban landscape.

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