Tri-Valley Tract Tales

Highland Oaks history – Pleasanton homes 1965 to 1969 A suburban ideal in Pleasanton Tucked against the rolling, oak-studded hills of what is now the Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, Highland Oaks emerged in the mid-1960s as one of west Pleasanton's first large-scale residential developments. Built in four phases between 1965 and 1969, the subdivision brought 363 homes to the edge of what was then still a small, agrarian town on the brink of suburban transformation. The homes were constructed by Schulte-Blackwell, a builder known for creating family-oriented neighborhoods with modern comforts. Though sales quietly began in October 1965, the official grand opening wasn't until January 1966—by which time more than 100 homes had already been sold, a testament to the area’s appeal and the shifting demand for suburban living among Bay Area families. Map of Highland Oaks: This map outlines the full buildout of Pleasanton’s Highland Oaks neighborhood, developed by Schulte-Blackwe...

Briarhill history – Dublin homes 1963 to 1972 Dublin’s first luxury suburb Perched on the rolling hills of west Dublin, the Briarhill subdivision stands as a symbol of postwar optimism and suburban luxury in the Tri-Valley region. Spanning 106 acres of undulating land with commanding views of the Amador Valley, Briarhill was more than a housing development—it was a vision for a new kind of suburban living, one that blended architectural ambition, exclusivity, and the aspirations of the Bay Area’s burgeoning middle class. Where is Briarhill in Dublin? Map of Briarhill: This map outlines the original 106-acre layout of Dublin’s first upscale hillside neighborhood, showing street names, model home locations, and phases developed by Perma-Bilt Enterprises, Boise-Cascade, and Dublin Construction Company. The birth of Briarhill: 1963–1967 (Perma-Bilt Enterprises) The story begins in 1963, when San Leandro-based Perma-Bilt Enterprises broke ground on the Briarhill subdivision. At the t...

The Expandables history – Livermore homes 1969 to 1970 Homes designed to grow On October 26, 1969, Kaufman & Broad unveiled their latest housing concept in Livermore: The Expandables . This subdivision was a direct response to the growing challenge of affordability for first-time homebuyers at the tail end of the 1960s. Rising home prices and tightening credit standards were making traditional homeownership increasingly out of reach, particularly for younger families. Kaufman & Broad, drawing on the success of a similar development in Huntington Beach, brought this innovative model to the Tri-Valley area. Where is The Expandables in Livermore? Kaufman & Broad pointed to location as one of the subdivision’s main draws. The site—bounded by East Jack London Boulevard (then still known as East Las Positas), Olivina Avenue, and Murrieta Boulevard—was carefully chosen for its long-term appeal. Proximity to downtown Livermore, strong local schools, emerging institutions like La...

Rancho Ramon history – San Ramon homes 1975 to 1978 A new vision for suburban living In late 1975, a new chapter began in San Ramon’s suburban evolution. Shapell Industries, newly arrived from Southern California, initiated a bold and modern development called Rancho Ramon —their first foray into northern California homebuilding. Over the course of three years, they would introduce 262 homes that marked a stylistic and cultural shift from the familiar ranch houses of earlier decades to something larger, more vertical, and more aspirational. The timing was significant: this was the first large-scale housing project in San Ramon in four years, signaling renewed growth and confidence in the area. It also reflected a deeper desire—shared by homebuyers and developers alike—for homes that embodied space, modernity, and status. Vintage advertisement from the Concord Transcript, February 1976, warmly inviting the public to the grand opening of Rancho Ramon. The ad features an illustration...