Dublin's Villa de San Ramon: 1965–1967 homes & subdivision history

Cover photo of a single-story home in Dublin’s Villa de San Ramon neighborhood, built between 1965 and 1967. The home features a low-profile roofline, wide front windows, and early California ranch-style detailing—representative of the modest yet thoughtfully designed suburban homes of the mid-1960s.

Welcome to Villa de San Ramon

In the spring of 1965, a South Bay builder named Duc & Elliot arrived in Dublin with a plan: build a stylish, well-appointed neighborhood where families could live large in modern, sun-drenched homes. What they didn’t plan for? A market that would fizzle faster than a backyard Tiki torch in a rainstorm.

Welcome to Villa de San Ramon—a mid-century gem with seven model homes, one celebrity guest, and a whole lot of ambition.

A 1965 vintage advertisement for the grand opening of Villa de San Ramon in Dublin, featuring images of all 7 model homes. Text highlights include "7 new models, 25 separate interior designs" and a bold tagline: "All-new floor plans featuring the kind of living you've always dreamed of but never thought possible."
Vintage grand opening ad for Villa de San Ramon in Dublin (1965), proudly unveiling 7 new model homes and 25 distinct interior designs. The ad promised “all-new floor plans featuring the kind of living you’ve always dreamed of but never thought possible,” capturing the optimism and modern suburban dream of mid-60s California living.

The grand opening (and grand expectations)

Developed on land once slated for a project called Barkley Square, Villa de San Ramon opened on April 18, 1965, with prices starting at $19,900 and topping out around $23,300. That made these homes a little pricier than the competition—Ecco Park and Redwing Valley, just across Amador Valley Boulevard, started about $2,000 cheaper.

But Duc & Elliot weren’t worried. Their homes came with all the bells and whistles—bold floor plans, roomy garages, modern features, and even Better Homes and Gardens accolades. Sales started strong: 50 homes were sold within the first three weeks. The future looked fabulous.

A star-studded start

To help christen their new community, builder Jules Duc brought in none other than Michael Landon, then known for his role on Bonanza (and later Little House on the Prairie). Landon visited on May 30, 1965, shaking hands and posing next to perfectly manicured lawns and sparkling new façades.

It was a golden moment—TV stardom meeting suburban optimism. What could go wrong?

Black-and-white 1965 photo featuring actor Mike Landon from Bonanza and Jules Duc of Dub & Elliot standing together at the grand opening of a new home. Both men are dressed in mid-1960s attire, capturing a moment of celebrity involvement in a suburban housing launch event.
1965 vintage photo showing Mike Landon of Bonanza as a guest star alongside Jules Duc of Dub & Elliot at the grand opening of a new home. The event highlights the excitement and star power surrounding mid-century residential developments.

Location of Villa de San Ramon

The original model homes are indicated with an "M" (on Burton Street) and the second batch of homes are enclosed with black lines. Only one home, on the corner of Emerald Avenue and Amador Valley Boulevard, was unique in this phase (perhaps the sales office). Empty lots in the middle of the subdivision were built between 1970 and 1973 by the Shamrock Estates subdivision.

Map showing the location and boundaries of the Villa de San Ramon neighborhood in Dublin, California. The map highlights streets, nearby landmarks, and the layout of the residential area within the city.
Map of the Villa de San Ramon neighborhood in Dublin, California.

The 1965 homes of Villa de San Ramon

Model home complex (1965—1967): Burton Street

The original model complex on Burton Street featured seven designs, each more charming than the last. With 3 to 6 bedrooms, there was something for everyone—at least on paper:

Map showing the site of the 1965 Villa de San Ramon model home complex on Burton Street in Dublin, California. The location is marked within the surrounding residential neighborhood, with nearby streets for reference.
Map of the 1965 Villa de San Ramon model home complex on Burton Street in Dublin.

Pricing history

  • 1965 (Unit 1): $19,900 - $23,300
  • 1965 (Unit 2): $20,300 - $23,300
  • 1966: $20,700 - $23,750
  • 1966 (Unit 3): $20,700 - $22,750. Unit 3 dropped plans 4 and 6.
  • 1967: $20,950 +

Model homes

1. The Californian (Plan 1303) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,288 sq. ft.

Floor plan of the Californian model from 1965, showing a single-story layout with clearly labeled rooms, including multiple bedrooms, two bathrooms, a central living area, kitchen, and attached garage—typical of mid-century suburban design.
The floor plan of the Californian from 1965.

2. The Casa Serena (Plan 1324) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,483 sq. ft. Basically, a 4-bedroom Californian.

Vintage 1965 advertisement for Villa de San Ramon in Dublin, California, featuring the Casa Serena model. The ad includes a black-and-white illustration of the home’s exterior elevation—showing a low-pitched roof and simple façade—alongside a floor plan highlighting multiple bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open-concept living area typical of mid-century suburban homes.
1965 ad for Villa de San Ramon in Dublin, showcasing the Casa Serena model with both its exterior elevation and detailed floor plan. This design reflected the era's preference for open, family-friendly living spaces with clean, modern lines.

3. The Mount Diablo (Plan 1294) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,708 or 1,740 sq. ft. The most popular home in the development. It was given the National Approved Value Design award by Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Floor plan of the Mount Diablo model, showcasing an innovative mid-century layout with well-defined living spaces, multiple bedrooms, and efficient flow between rooms. The thoughtful design emphasizes functionality and comfort, offering a timeless arrangement that still inspires modern home layouts today.
The innovative floor plan of the Mount Diablo. Its thoughtful design still inspires us today. 

4. The Casa Grande (Plan 1606) - 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,855 sq. ft. No dining room, no master suite—oops! The home was discontinued by unit 3 (1966). Only 5 were built, including the model.

Vintage newspaper photo from May 30, 1965, showing the original Casa Grande model home, though mistakenly labeled as The Manor House. The image captures the home’s distinctive mid-century exterior with a low-pitched roof, large front windows, and clean architectural lines typical of the era.
The original Casa Grande from May 30, 1965; mistakenly called The Manor House.

Vintage ad showcasing the floor plan of the Casa Grande model home. The layout features multiple bedrooms upstairs, including a shared family bathroom, emphasizing efficient use of space and practical family living—hallmarks of mid-century suburban design.
The floor plan of the Casa Grande, with its shared family bathroom upstairs.

5. The Briarwood (Plan 1293) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,440 sq. ft. Easily compared to the Mount Diablo, but less loved. Only 7 were built.

Floor plan of the Briarwood model from 1965, showing a well-organized single-story layout with multiple bedrooms, two bathrooms, a central living area, kitchen, and attached garage. The design emphasizes open living spaces and functional flow, reflecting the suburban ideals of the mid-1960s.
The floor plan of the Briarwood from 1965.

6. The Manor House (Plan 1516) - 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,855 sq. ft. Same square footage as Casa Grande but with one less bedrooms to create a 27' long main bedroom. The model was discontinued by unit 3 (1966).

7. The Casa Bonita (Plan 1903) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,258 sq. ft. The most affordable and surprisingly popular.

Vintage 1965 ad showing the floor plan of the Casa Bonita model home. The layout includes multiple bedrooms, two bathrooms, a central living and dining area, and an attached garage. The plan reflects mid-century suburban design trends, emphasizing efficient use of space and family-friendly living.
The floor plan of the Casa Bonita from 1965.

Despite some quirks (like multiple models with no dining room and no private master bath), the homes looked the part. The Mount Diablo model even earned national praise for its clever layout, which separated formal living, casual family, and sleeping spaces— revolutionary at the time. 156 homes were sold over two years.

1965 Villa de San Ramon today

Here are the former model homes as they appear today

The Californian today

Current photo of the former Californian model home (Plan 1303) at Villa de San Ramon in Dublin, California. The single-story home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,288 square feet, with a classic mid-century suburban exterior including an attached garage and well-kept front landscaping.
The original Californian model today.

The Casa Serena today

Current photo of the former Casa Serena model home (Plan 1324) at Villa de San Ramon in Dublin, California. This single-story home features 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,483 square feet. Essentially a 4-bedroom version of the Californian plan, it retains the same mid-century suburban character with a low-pitched roof, attached garage, and modest front yard.
The original Casa Serena model today.

The Mount Diablo today

Current photo of the former Mount Diablo model home (Plan 1294) at Villa de San Ramon in Dublin, California. This popular single-story home features 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and approximately 1,708 to 1,740 square feet. Known for its award-winning design, the home displays classic mid-century architectural elements, including a low-pitched roof, attached garage, and spacious front yard.
The original Mount Diablo model today. Note the original walkway is still there.

The Casa Grande today

Current photo of the former Casa Grande model home (Plan 1606) at Villa de San Ramon in Dublin, California. This spacious single-story home features 6 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms across 1,855 square feet. Inspired by English countryside Georgian architecture, the home uniquely lacks a formal dining room and master suite, offering a traditional yet practical floor plan.
The original Casa Grande model today.

The Briarwood today

Exterior of The Briarwood model home (Plan 1293), a 1965 single-story ranch-style house with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, measuring 1,440 square feet.
The Briarwood, with its modest 1,440 sq. ft., 3-bedroom, 2-bath layout, stood quietly among its peers—easily compared to the Mount Diablo model, but never quite as embraced. Only 7 were ever built, making it one of the rarest homes in Villa de San Ramon.

The Manor House today

Front view of The Manor House (Plan 1516), a large 1965 model home with 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a notably long main bedroom stretching 27 feet.
The Manor House offered 1,855 sq. ft. of spacious living with 5 bedrooms and 2 baths. It shared the same footprint as the Casa Grande but opted for fewer bedrooms to create a dramatic 27-foot-long main bedroom. Phased out by 1966, it marked a short but bold chapter in the neighborhood's design history.

The Casa Bonita today

Photo of The Casa Bonita (Plan 1903), a compact yet popular 1965 model home featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in a 1,258 sq. ft. layout.
With just 1,258 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms, the Casa Bonita (Plan 1903) was the most affordable option—but its popularity surprised everyone. Simple, efficient, and charming, it proved that smaller homes could still make a big impression.

The 1967 homes of Villa de San Ramon

By 1967, the winds had shifted. The economy tightened, lending slowed, and suddenly, style wasn't enough to sell a home. Sales plummeted. In response, Duc & Elliot rolled out a second batch of just three homes—two popular models from the first batch, and one new model.

It didn’t help.

Despite the retooling, only 28 homes sold that year, a steep fall from the opening years. It wasn’t just Villa de San Ramon—Duc & Elliot’s Livermore project, Los Altos Heights, was also struggling.

Model home complex (1967): Amador Valley Boulevard

The new model complex opened on Amador Valley Boulevard near Emerald Avenue in April 1967.

Small map showing the site of the 1967 Villa de San Ramon model home complex on Amador Valley Boulevard in Dublin, California. The location is marked within the surrounding neighborhood streets for context.
Map of the 1967 Villa de San Ramon model home complex on Amador Valley Boulevard in Dublin.

Pricing history

  • 1967: $20,950 - $24,500

Model homes

1. The Villa del Oro (Plan 305) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,494 sq. ft.

2. The (new) Mount Diablo (Plan 306) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,689 sq. ft.

3. The Casa Serena - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,478 sq. ft.

1967 Ville de San Ramon today

Here are the former model homes as they appear today.

The Villa del Oro today

Current photo of the former 1967 Villa del Oro model home (Plan 305) at Villa de San Ramon in Dublin, California. This single-story home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,494 square feet. The exterior displays classic late-1960s suburban architecture with a low-pitched roof, attached garage, and well-maintained front yard.
The original Villa del Oro model today.

The (new) Mount Diablo today

The former 1967 Mount Diablo model home today with a red tile roof. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,689 sq. ft.
The original 1967 Mount Diablo model today.

The Casa Serena today

Current photo of the former 1967 Casa Serena model home at Villa de San Ramon in Dublin, California. With 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,478 square feet, this single-story home offers a practical layout and classic suburban styling, including a low-profile roofline and a simple, inviting exterior.
The original Casa Serena model today.

The end of the line

By late 1967, the signs were clear—Duc & Elliott had shuttered operations at Villa de San Ramon. But the builder wasn’t gone for good. By 1970, Duc & Elliott returned to the neighborhood, this time under the Shamrock Park name, offering a limited number of homes starting at $21,950. Sales were managed by Lange-Hilde Realtors. In 1971, the company completed its final projects in Villa de San Ramon and quietly exited for good. Two years later, in 1973, the remaining vacant lots were sold to Dublin Construction Company and rebranded as Shamrock Estates, bringing a quiet close to the Villa de San Ramon chapter.

A legacy with character

Despite its stumbles, Villa de San Ramon remains a piece of Dublin’s mid-century story. It was a neighborhood that started with a bang (and a Bonanza) but ran into the economic reality check that many developers faced in the late ’60s.

Today, it’s remembered for its bold designs, early success, and very human ambition—to build homes that felt like more than just walls and windows. And one, the Casa Bonita, lives on in spirit—proof that even the most modest model can make a lasting impression.

Related posts


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

San Ramon's Country Club Park: 1961–1965 homes & subdivision history

Image
Welcome to San Ramon Country Club Park In the early 1960s, Country Club Park wasn’t just a place to live—it was a way of life. Located alongside the San Ramon Golf Club, the 531 homes built between 1961 and 1965 were crafted to reflect a lifestyle of sun-drenched leisure and striking mid-century architecture. Each home was designed to meet the tastes of a modern, active generation—one for whom a golf cart was as much a part of the scenery as the fairways it cruised upon. With its winding streets, manicured lawns, and quiet elegance, Country Club Park offered the kind of suburban paradise where Sunday drives could become an endless journey through leisure. Location of the County Club Park neighborhood in San Ramon, California. Volk-McLain and the bold architecture of Country Club Park The development of Country Club Park was entrusted to Volk-McLain , with homes designed by the talented Raymond Dean Conwell. Between 1961 and 1965, the neighborhood’s architecture took shape through...
Read more

Walnut Grove Series: 1966–1968 homes in Pleasanton Valley

Image
Welcome to the Walnut Grove series homes at Pleasanton Valley When Morrison Homes broke ground on its second phase in Pleasanton Valley — the Walnut Grove Series — it did so with a nod to the land’s past. Built between 1966 and 1968, the homes were sited on generous lots — many measuring over 11,000 square feet — and often came with a quiet legacy: up to six mature walnut trees left from the original orchard. These weren’t just new homes; they were new roots planted in old soil. A view from Hopyard Road in 1968 shows the Pleasanton Valley model home complex—fresh sidewalks, young trees, and homes awaiting families. The photo hints at Pleasanton’s rural feel before suburban expansion. Pleasanton in the mid-to-late 1960s was undergoing a slow but steady transformation. While nearby Dublin was developing its first shopping centers and San Ramon remained mostly pasture, Pleasanton was emerging as a town with modern schools, growing families, and a suburban identity still grounded in r...
Read more

Pleasanton Valley history: Pleasanton's 1964–1979 neighborhood development

Image
From 1964 to 1979, Pleasanton Valley quietly transformed Pleasanton from a rural crossroads into a thriving hometown. Developed by Morrison Homes on the former Orloff Ranch, this neighborhood became one of the city’s largest and most defining suburban expansions—home to over 1,470 families. For 15 straight years, Pleasanton families had something new to look forward to: a fresh model home to tour, a new floor plan to dream about, and another reason to fall in love with this growing community. Map of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood in Pleasanton, California. A neighborhood of birds, trees—and families Locals often called it “Birdland” or “The Woods,” thanks to the whimsical street names inspired by birds and trees. But the names weren’t what made Pleasanton Valley special. It was the families. Generations of kids rode bikes past new construction, splashed through sprinklers in front yards, and chased each other through parks and cul-de-sacs. Nearly everyone in Pleasanton at the t...
Read more