If so, then you MUST know the pros and cons before living here!
City of San Ramon, CA
San Ramon Background
San Ramon is part of the Tri-Valley area. It’s located between Danville and Dublin and you can access it from the 680 Freeway.
San Ramon’s population was 84,605 per the 2020 census, making it the 4th largest city in Contra Costa County, behind Richmond, Concord and Antioch.
San Ramon History
The lands now occupied by the City of San Ramon were formerly inhabited by Seunen people, an Ohlone/Costanoan group who built their homes near creeks. Sometime around 1797, they were taken by Mission San José for use as grazing land. In 1834, they were part of the Rancho San Ramon land grant to José María Amador.
Amador named San Ramón (Spanish for ‘Saint Raymond’) not after a real saint but rather after a Native American vaquero who tended mission sheep on the land. Amador added the “San” per Spanish custom. In 1850, the first permanent American settlers, Leo and Mary Jane Norris, purchased the northwest corner of Amador’s Rancho San Ramon, near the intersection of present-day Bollinger Canyon Road and Crow Canyon Road.
Iron Horse Trail – Photo courtesy of Google Maps (Eva Vasileva)
The tracks for the San Ramon Branch Line of the Southern Pacific Railroad were laid down and completed in 1891. The line extended from San Ramon to an unincorporated area known as Avon, east of Martinez, where it connected to the Oakland/Stockton Line. On February 7, 1909, Southern Pacific extended the line south to Radum (near Pleasanton).
In 1934, passenger service ended. By 1986, Contra Costa County had obtained the railroad right-of-way and the Iron Horse Regional Trail was established along its path.
If you like golf, San Ramon has three public 18 hole golf courses. San Ramon Golf Club is located in the older part of San Ramon. Canyon lakes located in the Canyon Lakes Community and the newest golf course is the Bridges Golf Course,
San Ramon, CA – Forest Homes Farms Historic Park
which is located in the Bridges Community. Each golf course is unique and they all offer club memberships.
One of the most interesting outdoor places to visit in Forest Homes Farms Historic Park. This is a 16 acre farm that includes a self-guided tour through the property.
Number 2: Shopping
San Ramon has several different shopping strip malls.
San Ramon, CA – City Center Bishop Ranch
The newest one is City Center Bishop Ranch. It’s located inside Bishop Ranch Business Center. They host a variety of stores from clothing to furniture.
San Ramon, CA – Several restaurants in their shopping strip malls
Number 3: Restaurants
San Ramon offers lots of restaurants to choose from and a lot of these are located in their shopping strip malls.
San Ramon CA – City Center Bishop Ranch
The newest shopping area I just mentioned, City Center Bishop Ranch, offers numerous dining options to include a food court as well as a line of food trucks. Their parking lot is the location for San Ramon’s Farmers Market.
San Ramon CA – Bishop Ranch Business Park
Number 4:Jobs
San Ramon is the home of Bishop Ranch Business Park. This 3,000 acre business campus is made up of a mixture of Fortune 500 companies, local startups and everything in between. They are the home to companies like AT&T and Chevron.
Excellent Schools
Number 5:Public schools
City of San Ramon’s public schools have excellent ratings. In Contra Costa County, San Ramon’s elementary schools are the top eight public highest ranked schools and their Dougherty Valley High School ranks as #2.
Residential Real Estate
Number 6: Residential real estate
San Ramon
San Ramon offers several different types of residential properties to choose from.
Looking at it from a satellite map, we can see San Ramon’s basically made up of four quadrants. For this blog, I am going to mention a few developments that are quite popular with buyers.
San Ramon is made up of 4 quadrants
South Side
Pine Valley
The South side of San Ramon is where it borderlines with Dublin.
You will find Pine Valley development. Pine Valley properties were built in the early ’60s to ’70s. You’ll find a mixture of one to two story homes. Home size is from 1,200 to 2,400 square feet.
West Side
Travel up 680 going North, the area off to the left is the West side. You will find a mixture of older and newer homes. Many of these homes have awesome canyon views.
Norris Canyon
Before I leave the West side, I want to discuss a newer development, Norris Canyon Estates. This is a gated community built by Toll Brothers. The first phase was in 2004/2005. It took approximately 10 years to complete. You’ll find large homes from 3,800 to 6,000 square feet. Many have oversize lots and amazing views.
East Side
East side
Leaving the West side, of San Ramon going across town, we pass over 680 to Bollinger Canyon road. Once we cross Alcosta road, you will see several communities that were built in the ’80s that feature town homes, condos, and single detached houses. Many of these homes are located in gated areas. Many of the homes have smaller lots and some have views.
Continuing our tour, going up Bollinger Canyon (heading east), we make a right on Windemere Parkway.
Windemere
This takes us to the most recent community which is the Windemere development. Windemere first opened up in the early 2000s and it took over 10 years to complete. The community has just about everything from schools, library, and parks. They have condos, townhouses and single detached properties. The lots tend to be on the smaller size. Some of the single detached properties are over 4,000 square feet and some have canyon views.
North Side
Inverness Park
Going up 680 North is Inverness Park (which is right before Bishop Ranch). This community was built by Chappelle Homes in the ’70s. The homes are larger, 2,500 square feet and over.
Twin Creek
Many have 3 car garages and most are 2 story. You will find many of the homes have been remodeled and are in good order.
Going to the opposite side of the 680 Freeway, is Twin Creeks Hills. This area was also built in the ’70s. The developer was Carl Dame. It is made up of a mixture of style properties ranging from condos, one story, two stories and tri-levels. Some of these homes have a fifth bedroom and a 3 car garage.
Get my top pick for Danville properties
To get my top pick for San Ramon properties under $1.3M, click on the link NOW: 🏡San Ramon
San Ramon house prices are much less compared to the Silicon Valley
Number 7: House prices
When compared to the Silicon Valley area, San Ramon real estate prices are much less. The Silicon Valley is the tech center for companies like Google, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Comparing like properties, San Ramon housing prices per square foot are just about half of what you’ll find in the Silicon Valley market. Just a little background. Silicon Valley’s approximately 40 miles from San Ramon and the traffic commute is horrible. People who commute to this area take the commuter train from Pleasanton (Ace Train), van pool or a commuter bus. With our current COVID-19 environment, most employees work from home.
San Ramon is a very safe city
Number 8: San Ramon is a very safe city
They have very low crime rate. In fact, they were rated as one of the safest cities to live in California. And number seven in the nation to raise a child according to the report by the home security and home safety company.
The Cons for living in San Ramon, CA
High cost of housing compared to Concord
Number 1: High housing costs
Yes. San Ramon’s cost of housing compared to the Silicon Valley is about half. However, if you travel approximately 20 miles north to Concord, CA, a comparable home there is much less (than what you would pay for in San Ramon).
Higher property taxes in the newer developments (Windemere & Gail Ranch)
Number 2: Higher property taxes
Some of the new developments like Gail Ranch and Windemere have higher property taxes. These communities were built in the early 2000s. The Windemere community has newer schools, city parks, walking trails, library, and community center.
San Ramon doesn’t have BART
Number 3: San Ramon doesn’t have BART
BART stands for Bay Area Rapid Transit. Fortunately, the nearest station is in Dublin (BART Dublin/Pleasanton station), which is just a few miles away. Here’s one thing I need to tell you. Under normal commute situations, (when we’re not in COVID-19 environment), BART’s parking is difficult. So, if you plan to go during the commute time, you need to get there early to find a place to park.
San Ramon does not have much nightlife activity
Number 4: Not much nightlife activity
It is basically a quiet town. Not sure if this is a con. However, if you’re planning to go out in the evening to enjoy dancing, comedy, concert or professional sporting event, you’re not going to be able to do this on a regular basis in San Ramon.
Please let me know your thoughts on this.
I hope you enjoyed this article. Please let me know if you have any questions. Warren
——————————————————————————————————————–
🏚️Get Warren’s Top Tri-Valley Homes under $$$ (Includes condos, Townhomes and single family) 🏠
If you are thinking about purchasing or selling a home, please reach out to me by text, phone, or email. If it is convenient, I can schedule a Zoom chat so we can discuss your home goals. Wishing you all the best on your home journey. Cheers!
ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN HAS BEEN OBTAINED THROUGH SOURCES DEEMED RELIABLE BUT CANNOT BE GUARANTEED AS TO ITS ACCURACY. SUBJECT MATERIAL MAY HAVE ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ANY INFORMATION OF SPECIAL INTEREST SHOULD BE OBTAINED THROUGH INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION.
