Casa by casa: the charm of Mackay's Del Prado (1969—1974)

In the golden light of 1969, when bell bottoms were bold, shag carpet was chic, and neighbors still borrowed cups of sugar, a new neighborhood blossomed on the edge of old Pleasanton. It was called Del Prado—“The Meadow” in Spanish—and it was more than a collection of houses. It was a vision.

Location of the Del Prado neighborhood in Pleasanton, California.

Mackay Homes, a builder with roots in Menlo Park and dreams bigger than Mt. Diablo, had already made its name across the Bay. But with Del Prado, they brought something special to the East Bay: el encanto of Spanish-inspired architecture paired with small town Pleasanton.

A neighborhood with a name like a love song

Del Prado wasn’t just a subdivision. It was a lifestyle statement. Built between 1969 and 1974, it spanned two distinct sections—Paseo del Cajon and Calle Reynoso—each carefully laid out like a painter's palette of floor plans, tiled roofs, and blooming jacaranda trees.

In a time when developers were racing to fill the suburbs with cookie-cutter ranches, Mackay said: “Vamos a hacer algo bonito.” Let’s build something beautiful.

A walk through Del Prado

Paseo del Cajon section

Opened in June 1969 with five exquisitely decorated model homes on a cul-de-sac that was, quite literally, rolled out in grass. No asphalt yet—just sod and hope. The developers wanted families to imagine more than a street. They wanted them to imagine una vida encantadora—a charming life.

The Paseo del Cajon section of Del Prado—site of Mackay's first line of homes.

Calle Reynoso section

By 1974, a second wave of dream homes opened just down the way. The floorplans were bigger, the finishes more refined, and the prices? Well, they reflected the times—but oh, what you got for it: beam ceilings, wall-to-wall shag, and sliding doors that turned patios into fiesta-ready extensions of your living room. And this time, the neighborhood came with a cabana and community pool.

The Calle Reynoso section of Del Prado—site of Mackay's second line of homes.

Del Prado model homes –casas con carácter

1969 collection – Paseo del Cajon

All homes came with "Sunshine Kitchens"—a Mackay signature. Picture walls of glass, avocado green appliances, gold-flecked Formica, and patio pass-throughs for backyard parrilladas. Even the smallest home was rich with character.

From a June 1969 Oakland Tribune ad—a bird’s-eye view—without the bird. In 1969, this leafy dreamscape came courtesy of an illustrator’s pen, not a drone. But the cul-de-sacs, the curved streets, the promise of suburban bliss? All very real.

The model complex was nestled on a court on Paseo del Cajon. It closed out in mid-1972.

Site of the 1969 Mackay Del Prado model homes.

1. The Barcelona (Plan 9025) - 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,358 sq. ft. From its circular staircase to its crystal chandelier in the two-story entry, this was the house you saw in the ad and circled three times in red ink.

The original Barcelona model today.

From a 1969 Oakland Tribune ad—she's at the bottom of the staircase, but make no mistake—she’s already at the top. Whether it’s an Oscar, a crown, or just the Avon lady at the door, she’s ready to accept.

2. The Monterey (Plans 8924/8925) - 4 or 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,506 sq. ft. A long line of windows in the dining room let in the morning sun—¡perfecto! for Sunday churros and coffee.

The original Monterey model today.

3. The Seville (Plan 8804) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,925 sq. ft. Named for the romantic Andalusian city, this model featured cozy bedrooms and a family room perfect for watching The Brady Bunch reruns.

The original Seville model today (extended).

4. The Madrid (Plan 8623) - 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,870 sq. ft. This tri-level treasure had a raised hearth fireplace, ideal for curling up with an afghan and a mug of Nestlé Quik.

The original Madrid model today.

5. The Valencia (Plan 8703) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,550 sq. ft. Modest in size, mighty in charm. Think planters, big windows, and that perfect nook for your rotary phone.

The original Valencia model today.

6. The Carmel (Plan 9104) - 4 bedrooms or 3 and a retreat, 2 bathrooms, 1,790 sq. ft. A model added in 1971 with a retreat and just enough curve in the archways to feel muy elegante.

The original Carmel model today (extended).

The Granada (Plan 8624) - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,190 sq. ft. No model was ever shown, but this tri-level giant with a wet bar made every house party a hit.

No model was shown, instead here’s another Granada.

1974 collection – Calle Reynoso

By 1974, inflation was rising, gas was rationed, but Mackay still believed in giving buyers their casita de ensueño. These homes started at $48,950 and felt every bit as deluxe as their price tag suggested.

From a January 1974 Oakland Tribune ad—by 1974, even houses got the memo: compact, efficient, and a little boxier. Like a post-gas-crisis car, but with a wetbar and harvest gold appliances.

Although the neighborhood opened in late 1973, it wasn't until early 1974 that five model homes were opened on Hansen Drive at Calle Reynoso.

Site of the 1974 Mackay Del Prado model homes.

1. The Valencia (Plan 9524) - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,892 sq. ft. The pantry was deep enough to hide both your snacks and your secrets.

The original Valencia model today.

2. The Barcelona (Plan 9724) - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,897 sq. ft. Still the showstopper, now with dual-aspect bedrooms.

The original Barcelona model today.

3. The Seville (Plan 9314) - 4 bedrooms or 3 + retreat, 2 bathrooms, 1,785–1,803 sq. ft. A flexible floor plan for the changing American family—just don’t spill Tang on the shag.

The original Seville model today.

4. The Granada (Plan 9214) - 4 bedrooms or 3 + retreat, 2 bathrooms, 1,836 sq. ft. A cavernous family room with wood beams? Let’s just say this house knew how to dance.

The original Granada model today.

5. The Monterey (Plan 9625) - 5 bedrooms or 4 + retreat, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,266 sq. ft. The biggest of the bunch—fit for fiestas, fundraisers, or just a really great night in with fondue.

The original Monterey model today.

The buildout & beyond

By the end of 1974, Mackay had wrapped up their work in Del Prado. A few years later, the builder was absorbed into the short-lived Kaiser-Aetna partnership, which spun off Ponderosa Homes. But by then, the homes had already spoken for themselves.

Even today, Del Prado remains one of Pleasanton’s most desirable neighborhoods, and it’s easy to see why. Its homes were built with heart, pride, and the kind of detailing that could only come from a time when a new home meant a fresh start.

Today in Del Prado

Drive through Del Prado now and you’ll still catch glimpses of su tiempo dorado: a lemon tree out front, wrought iron railings, or a retro lantern by the door. Kids still bike to the pool. Neighbors still wave. And on warm evenings, you might just smell something grilling and hear a bit of music from a backyard deck.

This wasn’t just a neighborhood. It was—and still is—una comunidad con alma.