Galli homes in Pleasanton Meadows (1968—1970): suburban luxury, California style

In the late 1960s, as Pleasanton was still a quiet town of orchards and wide-open fields, a new kind of neighborhood began to take shape—a place where families could stretch out, settle in, and enjoy the good life. At the heart of that transformation was Galli Homes, one of the original developers of what was then called Fairlands and would later become the beloved Pleasanton Meadows.

Map of Pleasanton Meadows
Location of Pleasanton Meadows. Galli homes were built on the western half of Fairlands Drive and Churchill Drive.

Among the builders, Galli stood apart, offering not just homes, but a sense of suburban luxury. These were large, light-filled residences with up to six bedrooms, oversized rooms, and floorplans designed for comfort, elegance, and entertaining. And with generous windows that soaked every space in California sunshine, it was clear: this was a new standard of living.

Pleasanton Meadows ad
Galli built means better built.

A family builder with a vision

Galli Homes was founded in San Francisco in 1925 by Raymond Frederick Galli (1896–1972), a native Californian with an eye for detail and a deep respect for craftsmanship. Over the decades, his company built more than 4,000 homes across the Bay Area—many of them in San Francisco’s Sunset District.

A popular Hollywood type home built by Galli in 1937, San Francisco.

By the 1960s, Raymond’s son, Ray F. Galli Jr., had taken the reins, bringing the Galli name eastward to Pleasanton. His goal: to offer premium homes in a quiet, growing town for families ready to trade city life for something more spacious, more serene, and undeniably more stylish.

Building a California dream

Development in Pleasanton Meadows began in 1968. Galli’s homes were built on both large and small lots, but always with an emphasis on quality, openness, and lifestyle. They were aimed at “move-up” buyers—families purchasing their second or third home—who were seeking something more refined without leaving behind a sense of community.

The hallmark of these homes was their sense of casual elegance. Think vaulted ceilings, wide hallways, spacious kitchens, and oversized windows that framed views of the hills and brought in natural light all day long. Whether Spanish, Western Rustic, or Contemporary in style, each design offered something unique—but always with luxury in mind.

Model homes and a grand opening

In May 1968, Galli opened its first model home complex on Churchill Drive. On weekends, families wandered through five fully furnished models, dreaming of life in a home that offered both beauty and practicality.

Site of the Galli Pleasanton Meadows model homes.

Pricing history

1968: $30,150 - $34,950
1969: $31,900 +
1970: $32,950 +

1. The Meadowfield House - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,995 sq. ft.

The original Meadowfield House model today.

2. The Springwood House - 4 bedrooms or 3 with a retreat, 2 bathrooms, 1,929 sq. ft.

The original Springwood House model today.

3. The Century House - 5 or 6 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,560 sq. ft.

The original Century House model today.

Fan favorite alternative elevation in the Monterey style.

4. The Gallery House - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,601 sq. ft.

The Gallery House model today.

5. The Plan 5 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,933 sq. ft.

The Plan 5 model today.

That first complex sold out quickly, and another model center opened just around the corner on Fairlands Drive in 1969. But by 1970, the tides of the economy had shifted. Inflation surged, and home sales slowed. Galli made the difficult decision to withdraw from Pleasanton Meadows, renting out some unsold homes before exiting entirely. Their remaining properties were acquired by H.C. Elliott, who continued building on the neighborhood’s open lots.

A lasting legacy

Though Galli Homes only built in Pleasanton for a few short years, their influence has endured for decades. Their homes, with their bright interiors, elegant features, and solid construction, still stand proudly today—many lovingly updated, others preserved as they were first imagined.

They are more than houses. They’re where countless Pleasanton stories began: first steps on wide-plank floors, birthday parties on sun-dappled patios, laughter echoing down hallways bathed in light. In every sense, Galli Homes offered not just shelter, but a lifestyle—a slice of suburban luxury, California style.

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