Tri-Valley Tract Tales

Pleasanton's Highland Oaks: a suburban ideal, 1965–1969 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 subdivision (1965–1969): This map outlines the full buildout of Pleasanton’s Highland Oaks neighborhood, developed by Schulte-Blackwell...

Briarhill: Dublin’s first luxury suburb (1963–1972) A landmark of mid-century aspirations in the Amador Valley 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. Map of Briarhill subdivision (1963–1972): 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 B...

The Expandables: homes designed to grow (1969–1970) An adaptive approach to housing by Kaufman & Broad 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. A novel concept in residential development Unlike conventional expandable homes of the era—which often featured unfinished attic or second-story spaces awaiting conversion—The Expandables were designed with future growth in mind, rather than unfinished space. Buyers could purchase a modest, single-story home at an accessible price point, with ...

Rancho Ramon: a new vision for suburban living (1975–1978) 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 of a stately two-story hom...