Vintage Hills — H. C. Elliott tract homes in Pleasanton (1970)

Developed by H.C. Elliott between 1970 and 1976, Vintage Hills occupies roughly 139 acres on what was once vineyard-covered terrain. With 472 homes overlooking the Amador Valley, the neighborhood quickly became a coveted spot for buyers looking for charm, views, and something just a little different.

Scan of an August 1970 Oakland Tribune ad announcing the opening of Vintage Hills by H.C. Elliott. The ad emphasizes the development’s sweeping views and picturesque setting, inviting potential buyers to experience the scenic beauty of the new community.
From an August 1970 Oakland Tribune ad—a world apart at its grand opening—where the views were sweeping, the model complex was miles away, and the dream was worth the detour.

Where is Vintage Hills in Pleasanton?

Annotated aerial map showing the boundaries of the H. C. Elliott tract in the Vintage Hills neighborhood in Pleasanton.
Annotated aerial map of H. C. Elliott's homes in the Vintage Hills neighborhood in Pleasanton, California. Base imagery from Google Maps.

The grand opening & early sales

Vintage Hills launched with a grand opening on August 23, 1970, but homes weren’t actually sold on-site. Early sales were conducted through Elliott’s Pleasanton Meadows office—freeway-close, but nowhere near the hills. Prospective buyers had to follow a winding trail of turns to get there, making the journey feel more like a treasure hunt than a house hunt.

Scan of an October 1970 Contra Costa Times newspaper ad for Vintage Hills, encouraging readers to go to Pleasanton Meadows. The ad highlights the challenge of finding the new development—and the rewarding views once you arrived.
From an October 1970 Contra Costa Times ad—Finding Vintage Hills was half the adventure, but the views made it all worth it.

Despite the detour, it worked: by 1974, 339 homes had been sold across the first 100 acres. A housing moratorium paused development for over a year, but when sales resumed in 1975, interest was so strong that some buyers camped out overnight to secure a lot. Another 133 homes were built between 1975 and 1976, rounding out the original H.C. Elliott development.

Selling the tract

Architecturally, Vintage Hills stood apart. Elliott offered homes in four styles—Spanish, Traditional, Ranch, and Colonial—but it was the Spanish-style models that stole the show. Dramatic arches, sometimes in singles, doubles, or even triples, created a visual rhythm throughout the neighborhood. These weren’t just decorative—they embodied the open, inviting lifestyle that Elliott was selling.

In 1973, Elliott introduced a feature that would become a legend in Vintage Hills: the curvilinear kitchen. Installed in homes like the Huntington model, these rounded kitchens flowed effortlessly into family rooms, enhancing both movement and sightlines. A pass-through window to the patio added functionality and flair—perfect for backyard parties, lemonade stands, or sneakily passing snacks outside. More than just a novelty, these kitchens were unforgettable.

Newspaper ad from the March 1973 Oakland Tribune featuring The Huntington model home in Vintage Hills, Pleasanton. The design highlights two prominent arches, reflecting the neighborhood's signature architectural style.
From a March 1973 Oakland Tribune ad—double the arches, double the charm—Vintage Hills knew how to make an entrance.

Newspaper ad from the February 1972 Oakland Tribune showcasing the San Simeon model home in Vintage Hills, Pleasanton. The home features a distinctive design with triple arches, a signature architectural element of the neighborhood.
From a February 1972 Oakland Tribune ad—triple arches, because subtlety was never the point—Vintage Hills brought drama to the driveway.

1970s ad featuring the floorplan of the Huntington model, showcasing its distinctive round kitchen design—a unique feature of the home that was ahead of its time.
From a March 1973 Oakland Tribune ad—why be square? Vintage Hills’ round kitchen floor plans turned every meal into a conversation piece.

Historical newspaper ad from March 1973 in the Oakland Tribune, promoting The Huntington model in Vintage Hills, Pleasanton. The ad features the home’s floorplan and exterior, highlighting a 4-bedroom layout with a round kitchen. Priced from $38,950, it exemplifies early 1970s suburban development in the Amador Valley.
‘Something New at Vintage Hills’: The 1973 debut of The Huntington model — a 4-bedroom Pleasanton home featuring a distinctive round kitchen, reflecting the era’s suburban growth and design trends. Prices started at $38,950.

Pricing history of Vintage Hills homes

  • 1970: $25,950 - $31,950
  • 1971: $26,950 - $34,200
  • 1972: $28,500 - $36,750
  • 1973: $34,950 - $43,950
  • 1974: $35,950 +
  • 1975: $44,500 - $59,000
  • 1976: $46,950 - $59,950

The 1970 homes of Vintage Hills

Homes from H.C. Elliott's Pleasanton Meadows model complex on Cambridge Court were used to market Vintage Hills. Homes from this series were mainly built along Crellin Road and Vintner Way.

To see the model homes, visit Pleasanton Meadows history: Pleasanton homes by H. C. Elliott's (1970)

The 1972 homes of Vintage Hills

Vintage Hills finally got its own model complex that opened in early 1972 on Gamay Court. Reflecting the growing demand for new floor plans, some popular earlier models remained, while new ones were introduced.

Aerial image of the former model homes of Vintage Hills in Pleasanton in 1972.
Annotated aerial map of the Vintage Hills model home complex on Gamay Court. Base imagery from Google Maps.

Model homes of Vintage Hills

1. The Coronado - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,050 sq. ft.

2. The Californian - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,549 sq. ft.

3. The Montebello - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,003 sq. ft.

4. The San Simeon - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,830 sq. ft.

5. The Carmel - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,323 sq. ft.

6. The Huntington - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,699 sq. ft. Added in 1973.

Current appearance of the original Coronado home in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills.
Original Coronado model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Californian home in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills.
Original Californian model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Montebello home in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills.
Original Montebello model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original San Simeon home in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills.
Original San Simeon model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Carmel home in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills.
Original Carmel model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Huntington home in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills.
Original Huntington model today via Google Street View.

The 1975 homes of Vintage Hills

In its final phase, Vintage Hills featured new floorplans and refined designs on Tawny Drive.

Aerial image showing the Vintage Hills model home complex on Tawny Drive in Pleasanton, used to display homes for the neighborhood’s 1975 development. The layout shows the placement of the model homes and surrounding streets.
Map of the Vintage Hills model complex on Tawny Drive in Pleasanton, where homes were showcased during the neighborhood's development in 1975.

Model homes of Vintage Hills

1. The Californian (Plan 74) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,549 sq. ft.

2. The Newporter (Plan 76) - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,993 sq. ft.

3. The San Simeon (Plan 72) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,471 sq. ft.

4. The Arcadian (Plan 75) - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,442 sq. ft.

The Monterey (Plan 73) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,601 sq. ft. Not shown in the model complex.

Current appearance of the original 1975 Californian home in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills.
Original Californian model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Newporter home in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills.
Original Newporter model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original 1975 San Simeon home in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills.
Original San Simeon model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Arcadian home in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills.
Original Arcadian model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of A 1975 Monterey home in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills.
A Monterey home via Google Street View. No model was displayed.

Legacy of Vintage Hills

Though the original H.C. Elliott era ended in 1976, Great American Homes picked up where Elliott left off, developing additional homes in 1978–79 under the same Vintage Hills name. The neighborhood’s charm endured, and its identity remained intact.

Today, Vintage Hills is as inviting as ever. Its famous arches still welcome visitors with a smile, and those bold round kitchens continue to spark curiosity and conversation. It’s a neighborhood shaped not just by its architecture, but by its spirit—a place where the homes are as full of personality as the people who live in them.

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