Cliff May

Cliff May was born in San Diego in 1908. As a young man, May built Monterey-style furniture before, in 1931, he began his work as a designer/builder in San Diego and La Jolla.

May moved to Los Angeles in 1936, where he expanded his design work into development. By 1941, he had established a national reputation as the designer of the California Ranch House. After World War II he collaborated with Sunset Magazine in publishing the book Western Ranch Houses.

During the following decades May designed houses which were built in the U.S., Europe, South America, and elsewhere. In total over one thousand custom homes, and several tract house plans resulting in more than 18,000 homes came from his pen. His patio-oriented ranch style houses have been extensively copied by developers across the country.

Partial List of Projects

A.O. Miracle Company House (1932)
San Diego
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Aldrete, Alberto Sr. House (1934)
Tijuana, Mexico

Alexander, Dr. Franz House (1935-36)
5759 Dolphin Place, La Jolla

Allen, Richard House (1933)
3597 Lomacitas Lane, Bonita
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Axline, Rea A. House (1978)
17549 Via De Fortuna, Rancho Santa Fe
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Beardsley, Dr. John and Florence Porterfield House (1933)
3130 Shadowlawn Court, Point Loma
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Belcher, Frank G. Jr. House (1968)
Prestwick Estates, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Bishop, Marge Residence Remodel (1936)
Del Mar
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Bonaguidi Ron Residence (1987)
Rancho Santa Fe
*Attribution via Cliff May archive - for Mrs. Hiram Horton

Bonita Women's Club - Club Building (1934)
Bonita
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Burnham, Marston House (1947)
La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Calland, D. Residence (1945)
San Diego County
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Clotfelter, Thomas Residence (1972)
Rancho Santa Fe
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Clotfelter, Thomas Residence (1984)
Rancho Santa Fe
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Clotfelter/Pettit Developers Condominiums (1978)
Poco a Poco, Rancho Santa Fe
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Colby, Thomas House (1940)
Rancho Bendito, Valley Center/Escondido
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Cottrell, George F. House (1935-36)
7819 (now 7727) Lookout, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Crouse, Colonel Alphus House (August 18, 1935)
9434 Sierra Vista, Mt. Helix
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Cutler, Robert House (1969)
Rancho Santa Fe
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Daly-Simmons Construction Company Houses
San Diego
*Low cost tract housing, no date

Daniel, Harry M. House and Remodel (ca. 1971-1981)
Five Diamonds, Borrego Springs
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Daniels, Charles I. House (1952)
Point Loma
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Dennstedt Company Patio House (1936)
Talmadge Park
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Dittenhaver, N.B. House (1934)
3462 Malito Drive, Bonita
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Eales, H.G. House (1935-36)
Presidio Hills
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Eason, Fred S. House (1964)
4777 Avion Way, Alvarado Estates
*Historically designated; attribution via Cliff May archive

El Campo Santo (1932)
Cemetery Wall, Old Town
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Fairchild, David House Remodel (1984)
6126 Avenida Cresta, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Farenholt, Adm A. House (1935-36)
3626 Hyacinth Drive, Point Loma
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Fowler, Smith G. House(1944)
Rancho Jamacha, Spring Valley

Frank, Lt. Nicholas House (1936)
266 I Street, Coronado

Galloway, Frank House (no date)
San Diego
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Galloway, Frank and Peggy House (1958-59)
Fallbrook
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Gardner, Cmdr. Matthew B. and Mrs. House (June 26,1936)
200 Palm Avenue, Coronado

Garrett, J. Cliff House (1945-46)
30845 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Gaynes, Arthur M. House (1935-36)
9411 Lavell, Mt. Helix
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Giacobine, Clifford House #1 (1977-79)
Coronado Cays

Giacobine, Clifford House #2 (1977-79)
Coronado Cays

Gildred, Theodore Subdivision (1964-65)
Rancho Santa Fe
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Graves, George House (1935)
Grossmont, Mt. Helix
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Hall, William House (1977)
Rancho Santa Fe
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Hauser, Rupert V. House (1949-51)
331 Verbena, Borrego Springs
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Highland, Alex House (1934)
2400 Presidio Drive, Mission Hills
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Hodge, Sheldon Spec House #1 (1933)
4365 Altamirano Way, Mission Hills
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Hodge, Sheldon Spec House #2 (1935)
4669 Altamirano Way, Mission Hills
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Hodge, Sheldon Spec House #3 (1935)
2440 Marilouise Way, Mission Hills
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Hodge, Sheldon Spec House #4 (1935)
Presidio Hills
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Hodge, Sheldon Subdivision (1937-38)
7 homes in Presidio Hills
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Hopkins, Mrs. I.M. House (1945)
Warner Hot Springs

Horton, Hiram Spec House #1 (1935)
7447 Hillside Drive, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Horton, Hiram Spec House #2 (1935)
7455 Hillside Drive, La Jolla
*reportedly moved to 6303 La Jolla Scenic South; Attribution via Cliff May archive

Horton, Hiram Spec House #3 (1935)
7575 Hillside Drive, La Jolla
*reportedly moved to 6736 Mission Gorge Road; later demolished; *Attribution via Cliff May archive

Horton, Hiram Spec House #4 (1935)
7477 Hillside Drive, La Jolla
*Reportedly demolished; included sign out front "Rancheria by Cliff May; attribution via Cliff May archive

Hyde House (1938)
160 G Avenue, Coronado

Ingram, Adm. Jonas House (1937)
Coronado

Johnson, Betty House (1978)
Rancho Santa Fe
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Josepho, Anatole Working Ranch (1947)
Oceanside
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Kendrick, Marjery S. House (1965)
San Diego
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Kilbourne, Don B. House (1936)
Alpine
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Knauss, Cmdr. E. House (1935-36)
633 Alameda Avenue, Coronado

Kueneman, Joseph House (1988-89)
Fallbrook
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Langston, Wade House (1934)
6116 Avenida Cresta, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Lindstrom, Cpt. William House (Spec House #2) (1932-33)
4669 East Talmadge Drive, Talmadge
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Llwellyn, David House (1936)
Poway/Escondido
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Magee, Louis House Remodel (1947)
San Luis Rey Valley
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Magee, Victor and Norma House Remodel (1984)
San Diego
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Malk, Mr. & Mrs. Brian (1989)
La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Massena, John P. (1945-46)
Carlsbad
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

May, Cliff House (1935)
4338 Adams Avenue, Talmadge
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

May, Cliff House #4 'Experimental Ranch House' AKA 'Skylight House' (1953)
1831 Old Ranch Road, Los Angeles

May, Henry C. House (1973)
Fallbrook
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

McDaniel, Rex House (1952)
Oceanside
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Model Home (1955)
2957 54th Street, College Grove

Model Home (1955)
1074 Merrit Drive, El Cajon

Montgomery, Charles House (1948-49)
Borrego Springs
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Morgan, F.J. Jr. House (1949)
Spindrift Drive, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Nuckolls, Mrs. George H. House (1936)
6004 Avenida Cresta, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; also references Camino de la Costa

O'Leary Col. Arthur Spec House (1931-32)
4725 Norma Drive, Talmadge
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Owen, William House(1954)
3003 Thornton Place, College Grove

Parzen, Dr. Zane House Remodel (1973)
Camino de la Costa, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Peacock, Mrs. Marie House (1935-36)
445 Arenas Street, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Peterson, Eric S. Residence Remodel (1966)
Escondido
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Private House (1953)
2021 Diegueno, Borrego Springs

Private House (1937)
266 I Avenue, Coronado

Private House (1955)
521 Avenida Primavera, Del Mar

Private House (1955)
1634 Forest Way, Del Mar

Private House (1955)
8893 Country Club Place, La Jolla
*Likely example of ‘Cliff May Homes’ design

Private House (1941)
6117 Avenida Cresta, La Jolla

Private House (1940)
1488 Gustavo Street, El Cajon

Private House (1936)
9291 Lavell Street, Mt. Helix

Private House(1936)
3625 Dupont Street, Point Loma

Private House (1933)
4365 Altamarino Way
Demolished

Richmond, Barry Remodel (1986-87)
6116 Avenida Cresta, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Rollins, Dick Cottage (1953)
Rincon Springs/La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Romagnolo, Michael (Tovrea) House Remodel (1976-78)
2951 Bessemer Street, Point Loma
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; demolished

Seligman, Cmdr. Mort T. House (1935)
777 G Avenue, Coronado

Shipley, Phil House (1967)
Fallbrook
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Simons, Allan D. House Remodel (1983)
17538 El Vuelo Road, Rancho Santa Fe
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; remodel of Youngblood Residence

Smith, Arnolt (no date)
San Diego
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Smith, Harold House (1948-50)
Spindrift Drive
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Stephens, Tom Residence and Tower (1933)
Bonita
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Stuart, William, Residence (1986)
Fallbrook
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Styles, Hugh B. House (1953)
8545 Chevy Chase Drive
*A Cliff May Home built by local developer; attribution via owner

Sweetwater Women’s Club Building for Mrs. Hiram Horton (1934)
3855 Sweetwater Road, Bonita
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Tait, M.E. House (1935)
4291 Van Dyke Place, Talmadge Park
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Thompson, Marge House (1949-50)
Del Mar
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Trenchard, Col. O.H.B. House (1936)
6126 Avenida Cresta, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Tucker, Harry F. House (1936)
4366 Altamirano Way, Mission Hills

Vista Del Loma Model Home and Housing Tract (ca. 1955)
*Homes can be found on the following streets: West Vista Way, North Melrose Drive, Santa Clara Drive, Amador Avenue, Yacon Street, Salina Court, Anns Way and Colusa Way.

Walker Lieutenant Residence (1936-39)
Mission Hills
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Welk, Lawrence Clubhouse Building, Motel/Restaurant Building, and Gatehouse (1965-66)
Escondido
*Attribution via Cliff May archive; not built

Whalen House (1934-35)
3855 Sweetwater Road, Bonita

Wier, Maj. J.L. House (1945)
Warner Hot Springs

Wister, Owen Residence (1936)
Grossmont/San Diego
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Wolfe, Col. And Mrs. Frank C. "Ranch House/Adobe Residence" (1945-46)
Valley Center/Escondido
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Wood, Frederick Hunt Residence (no date)
La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Woods, Cmdr. William House (1941)
7575 Hillside Drive, La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Woods, Dr. and Mrs. Ward Wilson House (1952-53)
La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Yianilos, Spiro Residence (1969)
La Jolla
*Attribution via Cliff May archive

Youngblood, Mr. & Mrs. James H. Residence for (1972)
17538 El Vuelo, Rancho Santa Fe
*Attribution via Cliff May archive. Historically designated. Drawings state 'Residence for Mr. & Mrs. J.H. Youngblood' by Cliff May Associates. Published in San Diego Magazine in December 1984.