The return of the Monterey style: How 1960s tract homes brought Spanish Colonial elegance to the Tri-Valley

During the 1960s, a wave of beautifully designed Monterey-style tract homes swept across California’s Tri-Valley region—transforming suburbs in Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, and San Ramon. With their distinctive two-story layouts, cantilevered balconies, and stucco exteriors, these homes blended Spanish Colonial charm with mid-century practicality.

While the original Monterey Revival movement peaked between 1925 and 1955, the style’s clean lines and romantic appeal found new life in the 1960s. The result was a uniquely Californian take on suburban architecture—timeless, elegant, and perfectly suited to the growing neighborhoods of the East Bay.

What is Monterey style architecture?

The Monterey style is an eclectic revival that draws from Spanish Colonial homes—particularly those found in historic Monterey, California—while incorporating Anglo-American influences. Characterized by:

  • Stucco facades

  • Low-pitched gable roofs

  • Wood or iron balconies

  • Simple, symmetrical layouts

It offered a softer, more refined alternative to other revival styles. In the postwar era, Monterey homes were often more cost-effective to build, making them an ideal candidate for mass-market suburban developments.

Monterey style and the Neoeclectic movement

As part of the broader Neoeclectic movement of the 1960s, which revived and blended traditional architectural forms, the Monterey style emerged as a favorite among California homebuilders. With its balance of tradition and simplicity, it fit well with buyers seeking homes that felt both historic and modern.

Monterey style homes across the Tri-Valley

Dublin: an early leader in Monterey style

Dublin was one of the first Tri-Valley communities to feature Monterey-inspired homes in its subdivisions. American Housing Guild debuted the style at Redwing Valley (later called Appletree) in 1965.

Two-story Spanish Hacienda home with cantilevered balcony in Dublin, California.
The Spanish Hacienda model at Redwing Valley, Dublin, exemplified the Monterey style’s two-story structure and balcony charm.

Tom Gentry introduced Monterey designs at Silvergate in 1963.

Monterey-style Casa Camino home featuring stucco exterior and cantilevered balcony in Dublin.
Casa Camino on San Sabana Road, Dublin — a classic Monterey design with stucco walls and distinctive balcony.

Livermore: continuing the legacy

Livermore embraced the Monterey style in 1965 when Duc & Elliot, pioneers of the design in Cupertino, brought their vision to the Los Altos Heights subdivision.

Monterey-style home with cantilevered balcony and stucco facade on Wimbledon Way, Livermore.
A charming Monterey-style home on Wimbledon Way, Livermore, showcasing the style’s signature balconies.

Pleasanton: a stylish latecomer

Though Pleasanton was slower to adopt the style, it did so with impact by the late 1960s. Galli Homes included Monterey-style homes at Pleasanton Meadows in 1969.

Monterey-style home with balcony supports on Churchill Drive, Pleasanton.
A residence on Churchill Drive, Pleasanton, with added balcony supports highlighting the Monterey style’s adaptability.

Morrison Homes introduced the style to Pleasanton Valley in 1966.

Elegant Monterey-style home with stucco walls and balcony on Tanglewood Way, Pleasanton.
Monterey beauty on Tanglewood Way, Pleasanton, representing the elegant simplicity of the style.

San Ramon: tradition meets innovation

As South San Ramon developed rapidly, builders brought in Monterey-inspired designs that helped shape the city’s architectural identity. Kay Homes brought the design to Rancho Solano in 1965.

Monterey-style home with traditional balcony and modern design elements on Milo Place, San Ramon.
A standout Monterey-style home on Milo Place, San Ramon, blending traditional and modern elements.

Alpha Homes showcased Monterey elements at Fairway Hills, also in 1965.

Charming Monterey-style house with cantilevered balcony on Cherry Hills Lane, San Ramon.
Charming Monterey home on Cherry Hills Lane, San Ramon, featuring classic stucco and balcony design.

The rise and decline of Monterey style tract homes

By the mid-1960s, Monterey-style homes had become a fixture in California suburbia, especially in the Tri-Valley. But as architectural trends shifted in the 1970s toward more contemporary and minimalist designs, the popularity of Monterey-style tract homes faded.

Despite its short revival, the style left a lasting mark. Its graceful lines, practical two-story plans, and nods to California’s Spanish Colonial past continue to make these homes both desirable and historically significant.

Why Monterey-style tract homes still matter

Today, Monterey-style homes built in the 1960s represent more than a trend—they’re a snapshot of a moment when California was reinventing itself. These homes embody:

  • Cultural fusion

  • Regional character

  • Architectural efficiency

Whether you’re exploring neighborhoods in Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, or San Ramon, you’ll find these homes quietly standing as reminders of a time when history and modernity shared a roofline.

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