Tri-Valley Tract Tales

Pleasanton Valley history – Pleasanton homes 1964 to 1965 First phase of Pleasanton Valley—the Pleasanton Valley Series In June 1964, Morrison Homes opened Pleasanton Valley, a new suburban development built on what had only recently been open countryside at the edge of Pleasanton. Drawn by the town’s rural setting, small downtown, and growing connection to the East Bay, families arrived looking for something increasingly difficult to find in the Bay Area: space, quiet, and a slower pace of life. Pleasanton Valley became the first major postwar subdivision in Pleasanton. Practically overnight, it reshaped the town’s western edge and nearly doubled Pleasanton’s developed footprint. From an August 1964 issue of the Oakland Tribune, Morrison Homes sold Pleasanton Valley as a return to country living without sacrificing Bay Area convenience. In a playful scene staged atop hay bales, one boy hushes another while dad naps nearby — a reminder that open space, quiet streets, and room to brea...

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. Highland Oaks grand opening advertisement, January 1966: This vintage ad heralded the grand opening of Highland Oaks, its stylized l...

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. Vintage Briarhill advertisement, December 1964: Promoting one of the model homes praised in McCall’s Magazine, this ad highlights the charm of Briarhill’s mid-century architectural style—rustic yet refined. Features like the hand-split cedar-shake roof, wide windows, and generous chimney captured the imagination of suburban buyers seeking a blend of elegance and country comfort. Where is Briarhill in Dublin? Annotated aerial map of the Briarhill neighborhood in Dub...

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. Grand opening advertisement – October 26, 1969 A vintage newspaper ad announcing the debut of The Expandables in Livermore. With the tagline, “Introducing your first and second home,” Kaufman & Broad emphasized the homes’ innovative design—affordable now, expandable later. The ad boldly declared: “It’s so new, it makes tomorrow sound old-fashioned.” Where is The Expandab...

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 ...