Pleasanton's Vintage Hills: 1965–1970 homes & subdivision history

Cover photo of a single-story home in Pleasanton’s Vintage Hills neighborhood, built between 1965 and 1970 by Boise-Cascade. The home showcases early Californian style with arched openings, a stucco exterior, and a low-pitched tile roof—reflecting the regional architectural influences of the era.

Welcome to Vintage Hills

Between 1965 and 1970, on the rolling hills of what was once Kottinger Ranch, a curious thing happened: a neighborhood grew. Not just any neighborhood, but Vintage Hills—a place where suburban dreams bloomed under the watchful eyes of Perma-Bilt Enterprises and, later, Boise-Cascade Corporation.

Back then, Pleasanton was still shaking off its agricultural roots. Cows still outnumbered commuters, and downtown was more country store than culinary destination. But Vintage Hills promised something new: a return to gracious living—as the brochures so confidently declared.

Map of the Vintage Hills neighborhood in Pleasanton, California
Map of the Vintage Hills neighborhood in Pleasanton, California.

A prophetic beginning

When the first models opened in November 1965, the homes weren’t just pitched with patios and pantries. No, they came with a promise foretold—by a computer. A prophetic computer, to be exact.

In what might have been one of the earliest mashups of real estate and marketing tech, ads claimed a machine could predict your financial happiness. According to its binary wisdom, you’d save money—and find joy—by buying a home in Vintage Hills.

Of course, nobody remembers exactly what kind of computer it was. Maybe it whirred behind punch cards in a downtown Oakland office. Maybe it didn’t exist at all. But that didn’t matter. In the mid-60s, the idea of a machine telling you to buy a house wasn’t science fiction. It was the future—and it was stylish.

1966 advertisement showcasing a computer-based analysis that claims homebuyers can save $3,143 when purchasing a home in Vintage Hills, Pleasanton. The ad reflects the early use of computers in marketing and highlights the appeal of the new development.
Vintage ad from August 1966 promoting a home purchase at Vintage Hills in Pleasanton, highlighting how a computer analysis proves you can save $3,143 by choosing this community—a nod to early "AI" in real estate marketing.

Living the dream (with custom options)

And once the homes were built? They lived up to the buzz. Streets lined with names like Del Sol and Mirador boasted a blend of Mediterranean flair and ranch-style ease. Some blocks featured only two or three floor plans—but each was customized just enough to give a feeling of originality.

Buyers chose from spacious four-bedroom layouts, cozy three-bedroom homes, and—eventually—some five-bedroom plans that felt downright palatial for the time. They got open kitchens, built-in bookshelves, and backyards perfect for barbecues and birthday parties. Some even had in-ground pools—a luxury that practically whispered, “You’ve made it.”

The 1965 model homes of Vintage Hills

Model home complex: Del Sol Avenue (1965—1968)

The first model complex was on Del Sol Avenue at the corner of Mirador Drive and ran until 1968.

Map of the original site of the 1965 Vintage Hills model home complex in Pleasanton, offering a snapshot of the layout and the surrounding development as it appears today.
Map of the first Vintage Hills model homes on Del Sol Avenue.

Pricing history

  • Dec 1965: $23,500 +
  • Sep 1966 (Unit 2): $23,950 +
  • Sep 1967: $26,500 +
  • Sep 1968: $28,950 - $32,650

Model homes

1. Plan 1 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,786 sq. ft.

2. Plan 2 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,543 sq. ft.

3. Plan 3 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1,825 sq. ft.

4. The Malaga - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,428 sq. ft.

5. The Isabella - 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,940 sq. ft.

6. Plan 6 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,609 sq. ft.

1965 Vintage Hills today

Here are the former model homes as they appear today.

The Plan 1 today

Current view of the original Plan 1 model home in Vintage Hills, a single-story residence featuring 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, totaling 1,786 square feet, with its original architectural character still visible.
The original Plan 1 model today.

The Plan 2 today

Present-day photo of the original Plan 2 model home in Vintage Hills, a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom single-story layout with 1,543 square feet, showcasing its classic mid-1960s design elements.
The original Plan 2 model today.

The Plan 3 today

Current photo of the original Plan 3 model home in Vintage Hills, a two-story design featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms across 1,825 square feet, with its traditional architecture and original exterior details intact.
The original Plan 3 model today.

The Malaga today

Contemporary view of the original Malaga model home in Vintage Hills, a single-story layout with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, totaling 1,428 square feet, reflecting its 1960s suburban ranch-style charm.
The original Malaga model today.

The Isabella today

Current photo of the original Isabella model home in Vintage Hills, a two-story residence featuring 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and 1,940 square feet, highlighting its balanced proportions and classic architectural details.
The original Isabella model today.

The Plan 6 today

Present-day image of the original Plan 6 model home in Vintage Hills, a single-story design with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,609 square feet, showcasing its well-preserved mid-century suburban styling.
The original Plan 6 model today.

The 1968 model homes of Vintage Hills: Boise-Cascade arrives

In 1968, the big players moved in. Boise-Cascade Corporation took over development and brought with them a new model complex on Neal Place. The floor plans got bigger. The finishes got fancier. And the homes—some nearing 2,200 square feet—started attracting growing families and young professionals looking to settle in style.

1968 advertisement for Vintage Hills homes in Pleasanton, highlighting elevated lots and the slogan, “You only live once,” to market the neighborhood as a charming and distinctive place to live.
Vintage April 1968 ad for Vintage Hills in Pleasanton, promoting “excitingly different new homes” on elevated ground. The ad reads, “You only live once—and there isn’t a more delightful place to live,” appealing to buyers seeking scenic views and a unique suburban lifestyle.

Model home complex: Neal Place (1968—1969)

The second model complex opened on Neal Place in 1968 and ran until 1969.

Aerial view of the original 1968 Vintage Hills model home complex in Pleasanton as it appears today, showing the layout of the six model homes within the established neighborhood setting, surrounded by mature trees and updated landscaping.
Map of the second Vintage Hills model homes on Neal Place.

Pricing history

  • Sep 1968: $28,950 - $32,650
  • Aug 1969: $30,750 +

Model homes

1. Plan 1 - 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,220 sq. ft.

2. Plan 2 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,522 sq. ft.

3. Plan 3 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1,951 sq. ft.

4. Plan 4 - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,956 sq. ft.

5. Plan 5 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,803 sq. ft.

6. Plan 6 - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,938 sq. ft.

1968 Vintage Hills today

Here are the former model homes as they appear today.

The Plan 1 today

Contemporary photo of the original 1968 Vintage Hills Plan 1 model home in Pleasanton, a spacious two-story design with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2,220 square feet, showcasing classic suburban architecture.
The original Plan 1 model today.

The Plan 2 today

Present-day image of the original Plan 2 model from 1968 in Vintage Hills, Pleasanton— a single-story home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,522 square feet, retaining its mid-century curb appeal.
The original Plan 2 model today.

The Plan 3 today

Current photo of the original Plan 3 model home in Vintage Hills, built in 1968, featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 1,951 square feet, with characteristic two-story design and original detailing.
The original Plan 3 model today.

The Plan 4 today

Updated exterior view of the 1968 Plan 4 model home in Vintage Hills, Pleasanton—a 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom layout with 1,956 square feet, reflecting the neighborhood’s contemporary style.
The original Plan 4 model today.

The Plan 5 today

Photo of the original 1968 Plan 5 model home in Vintage Hills, Pleasanton, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom single-story home with 1,803 square feet, blending timeless lines with updated landscaping.
The original Plan 5 model today.

The Plan 6 today

Modern-day view of the original 1968 Plan 6 model in Vintage Hills, Pleasanton—a two-story residence with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and 1,938 square feet, preserving its original structure and style.
The original Plan 6 model today.

The 1969 model homes of Vintage Hills

With the 1969 expansion to Bonita Avenue, the third and final model complex was introduced, along with a new name for the area: Pleasanton Heights. But to the locals—and to future real estate brochures—it was still all Vintage Hills.

Model home complex: Bonita Avenue (1969—1970)

The third model complex opened in 1969 on the east side of Bonita Avenue. Three homes from the older complex and one new model entered the mix. By this point, Boise Cascade had started using the neighborhood name of Pleasanton Heights as the location for their Vintage Hills homes.

Pricing history

  • Aug 1969: $30,750 +
  • Feb 1970: $30,750 - $36,700

A look at the price tag

Let’s talk dollars. In 1965, you could pick up a brand-new home here starting at $23,500. By 1970, prices had climbed to around $36,700—a small fortune at the time, but worth every penny for hillside charm, good schools, and sidewalks buzzing with Big Wheels and trick-or-treaters.

Vintage Hills wasn’t just a place to live. It was a place to grow. A place to stretch out. A place to believe in the future—especially when a computer told you it was the right thing to do.

A lasting legacy

Today, Vintage Hills still carries the air of optimism it was built on. The trees are taller, the kitchens are remodeled, but the heart of the neighborhood beats the same. Families stroll beneath oaks. Kids race scooters down the same sloping sidewalks. And somewhere, in the amber glow of memory, that “prophetic computer” is still humming away—happy to know you took its advice.

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