Glenoaks (Dublin, 1963)

Dublin > San Ramon Village > Glenoaks

Between 1963 and 1965, 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.

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.

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.

Vintage newspaper ad from June 21, 1964, promoting homes in the Glenoaks neighborhood with the bold headline “$195 Moves You In Now!” The black-and-white ad features illustrations of single-story homes, enthusiastic promotional language, and details about low down payments and affordable financing options aimed at new homebuyers.

Ad for Glenoaks from June 21, 1964, where just $195 move you in today.

Where Glenoaks is located in Dublin

Annotated aerial map showing the boundaries of the Glenoaks neighborhood in Dublin.

Annotated aerial map of the Glenoaks subdivision in Dublin, California. Base imagery from Google Maps.

Selling the subdivision

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.

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.

Black-and-white newspaper ad dated September 1, 1963, announcing the grand opening of the Glenoaks neighborhood and showcasing the charming Coronado model. The ad features illustrated renderings of the home, promotional text highlighting its 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and marketing phrases emphasizing affordability and modern living.

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

Black-and-white newspaper photo from 1963 showing the original Cape Cod model home in the Glenoaks neighborhood of Dublin. The single-story house features classic Cape Cod architectural elements, including a gabled roof, shuttered windows, and a neatly manicured front lawn.

The original Cape Cod model in 1963 with wide eaves to provide shade.

Legacy of Glenoaks

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.

Exploring the original Glenoaks today

Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Glenoaks model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Volk-McLain's vision for suburban living in 1963.

Today, they provide a tangible connection to Glenoak's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.

The original prices

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

The original model home complex

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.