Dublin's Appletree: 1965–1968 homes & subdivision history

a typical home in the Appletree neighborhood of Dublin, California. A New Pacifica home, it retains its mid-century lines with clean modernist details, low-pitched roof, and large front windows, reflecting its original architectural charm.

Welcome to Appletree

In the mid-1960s, Appletree took root as a small but vibrant piece of Dublin’s suburban tapestry. Developed by the prolific American Housing Guild, the neighborhood was part of a broader dream: bringing thoughtfully designed, character-rich homes to the rising hills of the Tri-Valley.

Between 1965 and 1968, 161 homes were built—each one a modest monument to a changing way of life. With six unique models, ranging from 3 to 5 bedrooms, Appletree offered a little something for everyone: clean lines, playful architecture, and just enough room to grow.

Map showing the location of the Appletree neighborhood in Dublin, California, outlining the residential area with labeled streets and surrounding landmarks to provide geographic context within the city.
Map of the Appletree neighborhood, with Ecco Park to the west, in Dublin, California.

A neighborhood searching for its name

Before the “Appletree” name ever graced a map, the neighborhood cycled through a few identities. It was almost called California Home Show, a name that suggested something more temporary than timeless. At the last minute, the builder settled on Redwing Valley, and under that name the model complex opened on July 4, 1965—a fitting date for a suburban independence day.

At the time, the broader area was still known as San Ramon Village, and it wasn’t until 1967, as the town itself shifted toward being known as Dublin, that the neighborhood got its final name: Appletree.

However, much of that original identity has been lost, as the area is now commonly referred to as "Echo Park"—a misinterpretation of the neighboring community's name, Ecco Park.

Architecture you had to see for yourself

Marketing for Redwing Valley was often vague, relying more on ambiance than on specifics. Ads promised “beauty and charm,” but left out the part about the wall of windows or Monterey-style balconies. Prospective buyers had to see the homes in person to understand just how unique they really were.

Vintage October 1965 Oakland Tribune newspaper ad for Appletree, originally named Redwing Valley. The ad features cheerful mid-century illustrations of single-story homes with manicured lawns and bold text proclaiming, “Homes in Redwing Valley are beautiful,” promoting stylish suburban living in Dublin, California.Vintage October 1965 Oakland Tribune newspaper ad for Appletree, originally named Redwing Valley. The ad features cheerful mid-century illustrations of single-story homes with manicured lawns and bold text proclaiming, “Homes in Redwing Valley are beautiful,” promoting stylish suburban living in Dublin, California.
From an October 1965 Oakland Tribune—homes in Redwing Valley are beautiful, we promise. You just have to see for yourself.

The homes of Appletree

A model complex on Tyne Court launched with four home plans and expanded to five with the arrival of the Room Maker. Each design offered something different, and yet all shared the same architectural through-line: practicality wrapped in personality.

Map showing the location of the former Appletree model home complex in Dublin, California, highlighting the streets and layout where the mid-century homes were originally showcased.
Map of the Appletree model home complex on Tyne Court in Dublin.

Pricing history

  • 1965: $19,950 - $23,950
  • 1966 (Unit 2): $19,950 - $24,450
  • 1966: $20,450 - $24,950
  • 1967: $20,950 - $24,950
  • 1968: $21,950 - $24,950

Model homes

1. The Spanish Hacienda - 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,848 or 1,867 sq. ft. The largest of the bunch, this model boasted two elevations, though the Monterey-style with its cantilevered balcony was by far the favorite.

2. The New Pacifica - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,590 or 1,638 sq. ft. Perhaps the most striking of Appletree’s designs, it was mid-century modern at its most joyful. Anchored by a wall of glass facing an internal courtyard, it invited sunlight to spill across every room, creating a sense of space that felt far beyond its square footage.

Vintage 1966 Oakland Tribune newspaper ad showcasing the interior of the New Pacifica model home. The space features sleek mid-century modern décor with high ceilings, matching table lamps, and a stylish living area set up for entertaining—complete with cocktail glasses and a tray of martinis.
From a 1966 Oakland Tribune—where the martinis are dry, the ceilings are high, and every lamp has a twin. It’s not a set from a 1965 sitcom—it’s your new living room (laugh track optional).

3. The Old San Francisco - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,437 sq. ft.

4. The California Ranch - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,276 to 1,491 sq. ft. Classic and adaptable, this model evolved with families. Many owners opted for a fourth bedroom in front.

5. The Room Maker - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,629+ sq. ft. New for 1967. A flexible home for forward thinkers. It came with a simple idea—an unfinished upstairs that could become anything. A craft loft. A quiet study. A secret library.

Vintage 1967 Oakland Tribune newspaper ad promoting an expandable home model in the Appletree neighborhood of Dublin. The ad features a sketch of a single-story home with a large unfinished upstairs space, accompanied by marketing text promising “room to grow later” and suggesting easy future additions like drywall and a second bathroom.
From a 1967 Oakland Tribune ad—"room to grow later,” they said. The expandable house promised room to grow—just add drywall, a second bath... maybe a contractor. The potential? Staggering. The reality? Depends how handy you are.

But while the concept sparked imaginations, execution proved tricky. Without the option to pay to have the upstairs completed, many buyers left it unfinished—an attic with ambition. Still, its very presence hinted at a growing desire for flexibility in home life, long before that became a buzzword.

The model suggested using the unfinished second floor as a sewing room, a novelty so delightfully specific it bordered on comical.

Vintage 1967 Oakland Tribune newspaper clipping showing the interior of the second story of the "Room Maker" model home in Appletree, Dublin. A dimly lit bonus room features an antique sewing machine near a small window, highlighting the low ceilings and limited natural light.
From a 1967 Oakland Tribune—a dark place for mother and her antique sewing machine. Is it luxury... or punishment. You decide.

Appletree today

Here are the former model homes as they appear today

The Spanish Hacienda today

A current photo of The Spanish Hacienda model at Appletree in Dublin, the largest of the original homes with 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, spanning up to 1,867 sq. ft. This version features the fan-favorite Monterey-style elevation with its signature cantilevered balcony and classic stucco façade.
The original Spanish Hacienda model today.

The New Pacifica today

A present-day photo of The New Pacifica model in Appletree, Dublin, a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home known for its courtyard-facing glass wall, clean lines, and open-concept floorplan—an enduring example of refined mid-century California living.
The original New Pacifica model today.

The Old San Francisco today

A current image of The Old San Francisco model at Appletree, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with 1,437 sq. ft., reflecting charming period details and compact elegance in a well-preserved mid-century suburban setting.
The original Old San Francisco model today (with second-story extension).

The California Ranch today

A recent photo of The California Ranch model in Appletree, originally built with 3 or 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms across 1,276 to 1,491 sq. ft., showcasing its adaptable layout and low-profile design that made it a long-time favorite for growing families.
The original California Ranch model today (expanded in front).
A current photo of a well-preserved California Ranch model at Appletree in Dublin, featuring its original low-slung roofline, wide front windows, and modest footprint—showcasing the clean, functional design of this adaptable mid-century home.
Another California Ranch home on Prince Drive.

The Room Maker today

A modern view of The Room Maker model at Appletree, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home introduced in 1967 with over 1,629 sq. ft. Designed with an unfinished upstairs for future expansion, it represents a pioneering approach to flexible suburban living.
The original Room Maker model today.

A lasting legacy

By 1968, Appletree was fully built out. Though modest in size, the neighborhood became one of Dublin’s most memorable enclaves, offering homes with enough personality to withstand the decades—and the remodels.

Today, Appletree remains a sought-after neighborhood. You’ll find additions, paint changes, and solar panels—but underneath it all, the original homes are still standing proud. Still modern. Still optimistic. Still whispering a promise of space, light, and possibility.

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