Home for $195: the Glenoaks promise

Glenoaks logo

Between 1963 and 1964, Volk-McLain built the 137-home Glenoaks neighborhood in Dublin, California. Opening with a cheerful optimism on May 18, 1963, Glenoaks marked the final chapter in the San Ramon Village area where a conventional home could still be had by a working-class family—without stretching beyond their means.

Map of Glenoaks Dublin California
Location of the Glenoaks neighborhood in Dublin, California.

A dream within reach

Glenoaks opened with homes for just $395 down, a price already low by regional standards of the day. Then it dropped—to $295.

Then $195.

Glenoaks ad
Ad for Glenoaks from June 21, 1964.

By summer 1964, the promise of homeownership came with a modest deposit and a handshake, making Glenoaks one of the last strongholds of true affordability in the East Bay. Ads beckoned buyers with cheerful models like the Coronado and Jamestown, pairing affordability with designer flair.

A familiar foundation—but better

The homes themselves were based on the same five Raymond Dean Conwell, AIA-designed floor plans used in Volk-McLain's earlier San Ramon Village and Brighton Circle developments nearby. But here, they came with small upgrades: shake roofs, marble vanity tops, signature X-timbering, and birdhouse ornaments perched above garages. Glenoaks was frugal, yes—but never plain.

Glenoaks ad
A grand-opening ad from September 1, 1963 with the charming Coronado model.

A total of eight elevations were offered, giving the illusion of greater variety while keeping costs down. Glenoaks was also one of the last neighborhoods in the area where that famous “birdhouse” garage gable became something of a calling card.

Glenoaks model homes

Visitors to the Glenoaks model complex on Bandon Drive at Kimball Avenue found themselves walking through a parade of cheerful, carefully staged homes. It opened in 1963 with five models (plans D, E, J, L, and M), later expanding to eight in total—each offering a distinct personality but the same promise: you can afford this.

Map of Glenoaks model homes
Site of the Glenoaks model homes.

Pricing history

1963: $16,595 +
1964: $16,595 - $18,995
1965: $16,595 +

1. Design 1 (Plan M-?) name unknown - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,424 sq. ft.

The original Design 1 (unknown name) model today.

2. The Cape Cod (Plan J-?) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,338 sq. ft.

Glenoaks Cape Cod model
The original Cape Cod model today.

The original Cape Cod model in 1963.

3. Design 3 (Plan E-?) name unknown - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,080 - 1,116~ sq. ft.

The original Design 3 model today.

4. The Jamestown (Plan D-?) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,066 sq. ft. Note the unique trim along the eaves.

Glenoaks Jamestown model
The original Jamestown model today.

5. The Coronado (Plan L-?) 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,475 sq. ft.

Glenoaks Coronado model
The original Coronado model today.

6. Design 6 (Plan M-?) name unknown - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,424 sq. ft.

The original Design 6 model today.

7. The Vermont (Plan J-?) name unknown - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,338 sq. ft.

Glenoaks Vermont model
The original Vermont model today.

8. The Catalina (Plan E-?) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,080 sq. ft.

Glenoaks Catalina model
The original Catalina model today.

A neighborhood’s final chapter

By early 1965, Glenoaks was fully sold out. It marked the end of Volk-McLain’s homebuilding presence in the San Ramon Village area—and, arguably, the end of an era.

For all intents and purposes, every home built in the core of San Ramon Village—from San Ramon Road to Village Parkway—shared the same five floor plans. What changed was the name, the trim, and the terms. But Glenoaks stood out. It brought upgraded design touches to working-class buyers at a time when homeownership still felt like a reachable dream.

The Glenoaks promise was simple: a good home, for a fair price, with just enough charm to make it yours.

Related post: Volk-McLain's San Ramon Village

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