Dublin's Glenoaks: 1963–1965 homes & subdivision history

Cover photo of a modest single-story home in Dublin’s Glenoaks neighborhood, built between 1963 and 1965. The home features a simple mid-century ranch design with a low-pitched roof, minimal ornamentation, and a compact footprint—reflecting the practical, family-focused housing of Dublin’s early suburban era.

Welcome to 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.

Map showing the location of the Glenoaks neighborhood in Dublin, California, with Brandon Drive and surrounding residential streets clearly marked. The neighborhood is highlighted within the city layout, with nearby landmarks, parks, and major roads such as Alcosta or Kimball Avenue visible for context.
Map 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The homes of Glenoaks

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.

Aerial view of the former Glenoaks model home site along Brandon Drive in Dublin, California. The photo shows a residential neighborhood with single-story homes, tree-lined streets, driveways, and surrounding developments, highlighting the area where the original model homes once stood.
Map of the Glenoaks model homes on Brandon Drive in Dublin.

Pricing history

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

Model homes

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

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

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.

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

4. The Jamestown (Plan D-?) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,066 sq. ft.

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

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

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

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

Glenoaks today

Here are the former model homes as they appear today.

The Design 1 (Plan M-?) today

Exterior view of The Design 1 model, a single-story home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, totaling 1,424 sq. ft., featuring a traditional suburban facade and attached garage.
The original Design 1 (unknown name) model today.

The Cape Cod (Plan J-?) today

Photo of The Cape Cod model, a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with 1,338 sq. ft., showcasing classic Cape Cod-style architecture with gabled roof and symmetrical windows.
The original Cape Cod model today.

The Design 3 (Plan E-?) today

Current photo of The Design 3 model, a compact single-story home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, ranging from 1,080 to 1,116 sq. ft., featuring a modest exterior with simple lines.
The original Design 3 model today.

The Jamestown (Plan D-?) today

Exterior of The Jamestown model, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with 1,066 sq. ft., featuring a low-profile roofline and a cozy, classic suburban design.
The original Jamestown model today.

The Coronado (Plan L-?) today

Image of The Coronado model, a spacious 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with 1,475 sq. ft., featuring a broad front elevation and attached garage, typical of mid-century suburban design.
The original Coronado model today.

The Design 6 (Plan M-?) today

Photo of The Design 6 model, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with 1,424 sq. ft., similar in layout to Design 1, featuring a clean and symmetrical exterior with minimal ornamentation.
The original Design 6 model today.

The Vermont (Plan J-?) today

Exterior view of The Vermont model, a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with 1,338 sq. ft., showing Cape Cod-inspired details and a neatly landscaped front yard.
The original Vermont model today.

The Catalina (Plan E-?) today

Current photo of The Catalina model, a compact 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with 1,080 sq. ft., featuring a simple, functional design with mid-century suburban charm.
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.

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