TractTales | Neighborhood history of the Tri-Valley

Once part of the historic Dougherty Ranch, the land that would become the Country Club neighborhood marked a transformative moment in San Ramon’s mid-century suburban expansion. As the first section of the San Ramon Village master plan to cross into Contra Costa County from its original core in Dublin, it signaled a bold step forward for regional planning—one that blended leisure, lifestyle, and community infrastructure in a single, ambitious vision. The clubhouse at the San Ramon Golf Club via Google Street View . Where is the Country Club neighborhood in San Ramon? Annotated aerial map of the Country Club neighborhood in San Ramon, California. Base imagery from Google Maps. From farmland to master plan The neighborhood was envisioned in the early 1960s as an upscale residential enclave centered on recreational amenities that were virtually unheard of in the Tri-Valley at the time. Developers Volk-McLain, who also spearheaded the earlier phases of San Ramon Village in Dublin, propo...

Before the term "active adult community" had made it onto brochures, Sunny Glen was quietly making history as San Ramon’s first over-50 neighborhood. Built by Volk-McLain, the community opened with fanfare on June 30, 1963, drawing an estimated 2,000 families to its grand opening celebration. Located at the base of the rolling hills and within walking distance of a country club and riding stables, Sunny Glen promised a lifestyle that was equal parts peaceful and perk-filled—AstroTurf lawns optional. From a June 1963 Daily Review ad—Sunny Glen promised an active, amenity-filled retirement: golfing, lawn bowling, poolside lounging, and plenty of ways to stay “carefree” (with just enough leisure to break a sweat). Where is Sunny Glen in San Ramon? Annotated aerial map of the Sunny Glen tract in the Country Club neighborhood in San Ramon, California. Base imagery from Google Maps. Selling the tract Sunny Glen was originally conceived under the name Carefree World —a title th...

Between 1965 and 1969, McGah-Bailey brought their vision of the future to 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. From a June 1966 Oakland Tribune ad — four smaller homes were introduced to lower the starting price in this premium subdivision. Where is Casa Mañana in San Ramon? Annotated aerial map of the  Casa Mañana  tract in the Country Club neighborhood in San Ramon, California. Base imagery from Google Maps . Selling the tract By mid-1966, McGah-Bailey hit refresh. Out went one of the pricier models, and in ca...

Set in the heart of an old walnut orchard, Walnut Hills opened in early 1966 with a marketing pitch no suburban buyer could resist: all the free walnuts you could ever want—right from your backyard. Developed by Brown & Kauffmann, the subdivision promised about 200 homes shaded by towering walnut trees and wrapped in country-club charm. From an April 1966 Oakland Tribune ad—picture it: all the free walnuts you could ever want—without even leaving your driveway. Where is Walnut Hills in San Ramon? Annotated aerial map of the Walnut Hills tract in the Country Club  neighborhood in San Ramon, California. Base imagery from Google Maps . Selling the tract Located in San Ramon’s county club neighborhood, Walnut Hills wasn’t just another subdivision—it was a lifestyle. Prices started at $26,950, a step above nearby tracts, but buyers gained eligibility for membership in the nearby San Ramon Country Club. From an April 1966 Daily Review—the Plan 1 under towering walnut trees. From ...