A developer’s decision more than a decade ago to build a business park rather than another anonymous housing tract put this city on the map.

Alex Mehran foresaw the need of many San Francisco companies to shift their back-office operations from expensive quarters downtown to more competitive space in the suburbs. Mehran transformed 585 acres of orchards into Bishop Ranch Business Park, which is now home to over 250 companies, including regional headquarters for Pacific Bell and Chevron.

The office park changed the character of the city from a bedroom community to a major employment center. More than 20,000 workers make their way to Bishop Ranch every day.

San Ramon didn’t officially become a city until 1983, when voters rebelled against Contra Costa County control. Residents felt officials in the county seat in Martinez were quick to approve major housing developments like the 3,100-unit Canyon Lakes neighborhood, but were shortchanging essential services like parks and police.

Not long ago, homeowners had to go to Danville or Dublin to find a supermarket, and San Ramon boasted only two over-worked parks.

The city now has more than seven shopping centers, 12 parks, a hospital, a library, a community center and a senior center.

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