Val Vista in Pleasanton (1967–1976): a practical path to homeownership

Explore the origins of Val Vista in Pleasanton (1967–1976), where Singer Homes offered practical, well-designed homes at modest prices. Featuring model homes, vintage ads, and community planning insights.

Before we dive into Val Vista’s story, let’s be clear—“affordable” is relative. In Pleasanton, a city where rolling hills, manicured neighborhoods, and a top-tier school system command some of the East Bay’s highest housing prices, finding a conventional home on a decent lot for a modest price has always been tricky. But if you’ve ever dreamed of living in Pleasanton and your budget had limits, someone probably told you: “Check out Val Vista.” Maybe with a shrug. Maybe with a side of skepticism. So—what’s the story behind this so-called “affordable” neighborhood?

Location of the Val Vista neighborhood in Pleasanton, California.

Origins of Val Vista

Val Vista made its debut on September 17, 1967, with six model homes by the Besco Group, showcased on Ashley Court. As a neighborhood, it felt isolated, but solid. Standard single-family homes, good-sized yards, and access to all the Pleasanton essentials.

From a September 1967 Oakland Tribune ad—grand opening of 6 buyer-tested homes.

Later, in 1971, Besco merged with the Singer Company—yes, that Singer, the sewing machine giant. From that point on, the neighborhood was sold under the Singer Homes brand. Marketing shifted accordingly: "Singer was famous in homes when meals were cooked on wood burning stoves.”

From an August 1971 Oakland Tribune ad—Singer didn't just make sewing machines, they also made homes.

But just as things got rolling, a sewer moratorium in 1971 forced construction to a standstill for nearly two years. When building resumed in 1974, it picked up quickly, and by 1976, the neighborhood was complete.

Val Vista model homes

Six model homes were shown on Ashley Court, and while at least nine floor plans were ultimately offered, early visitors entered the complex via a now-closed driveway from Hopyard Road. The homes ranged from 1,372 to 1,934 sq. ft., mostly 3- and 4-bedroom layouts, with practical designs and a modest flourishes like sunken family rooms and beamed ceilings

Site of the Val Vista model homes.

Pricing history
1967: $19,750 - $23,700
1968: $20,250 - $24,200
1969: $23,500 - $27,500
1970: $24,200 - $29,200
1971: $26,450 - $31,450
1972: (none)
1973: (none)
1974: $34,250 - $39,950
1975: $41,950 +
1976: $44,450 +

1. The Monte Vista (Plan 806) - 4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms with a den, 2 bathrooms, 1,489, 1,519, 1,806, 1,831, or 1,934 sq. ft.

The original Monte Vista model today.

The Oro Vista (Plan 816) - 4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms with a den, 2 bathrooms, 1,928 sq. ft. Like the Monte Vista, except with a dining room. Not shown in the model complex.

2. The Del Vista (Plan 963) - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,372 or 1,391 sq. ft.

The original Del Vista model today.

The Alta Vista (Plan 964) - 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,489 sq. ft. A 4-bedroom version of the Del Vista. Not shown in the model complex.

An Alta Vista home (not original model).

3. The Val Vista - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,579 or 1,627 sq. ft.

The original Val Vista model today.

4. The Plan 4 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,489 sq. ft.

The original Plan 4 model today.

Alternative - A 3-bedroom version of the Plan 4, 1,372 sq. ft. Not shown in model complex.

The unknown model (not original model).

5. The Plan 604 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,607 sq. ft. A 4 bedroom version of the Bayo Vista.

The Plan 604 model today.

Inside Plan 604 with sunken family room from November 1968.

6. The Bayo Vista (Plan 603) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,434 sq. ft. A 3-bedroom version of the Plan 604. The model was suited for corner lots with a backwards garage, but other homes were built with the garage in front.

The original Bayo Vista model today.

Community at the core

Val Vista is more than a collection of homes—it’s a neighborhood designed around daily life. At the center of the community sits Donlon Elementary School, walkable from nearly every home, with no major roads to cross. It’s a detail that may seem small, but it makes a big difference for parents and kids alike.

Then there’s Val Vista Community Park, a massive open space with a hockey rink, inline skate park, soccer fields, and wide green belts for walking or playing catch. And don’t forget the Pleasanton Community Garden, where residents and visitors alike grow vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees. Yes, people from other neighborhoods actually come here to grow food.

The reputation today

Val Vista carries a reputation—sometimes unfairly—as Pleasanton’s “affordable” option. But for many families, that label became a gateway. For nearly a decade, this neighborhood offered newcomers a way into the city without compromise on space, schools, or safety.

And while the shag carpets may have been replaced and the facades updated, the bones remain the same: modestly priced, well-built homes with smart floor plans, close to everything that matters. In a city that often celebrates the upscale, Val Vista quietly delivers substance over flash.

Val Vista may not come with gates or grandeur, but it’s quintessentially Pleasanton—with a little more yard, a little more heart, and just enough practicality to make the dream of Pleasanton living a reality for more people than you’d think.