Pleasanton's Del Prado: 1969–1972 Ditz-Crane homes & subdivision history

A current photo of a typical home from the 1969–1972 Ditz-Crane era in Pleasanton’s Del Prado neighborhood. The two-story house features clean suburban lines, a gently pitched roof, and modest Spanish-influenced details, reflecting the builder’s mid-century design sensibility.

Welcome to Del Prado by Ditz-Crane Homes

In December 1968, Ditz-Crane Homes quietly debuted its first preview of del Prado in Pleasanton—emphasis on “quiet.” The full launch came in 1969 with five model homes on display at Corte Sierra, growing to seven by the following year. Prices began at a very approachable $30,950.

Map of the Ditz-Crane homes within the Del Prado neighborhood of Pleasanton, California, highlighting the specific tracts and street layout where this builder’s homes were constructed during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Map of the Ditz-Crane homes in the Del Prado neighborhood of Pleasanton, California.

Built on the former Hansen Ranch, del Prado offered a graceful alternative to its more polished neighbor next door—Mackay Homes. While Ditz-Crane’s marketing materials were few and far between, the homes themselves didn’t need much help. With an enviable location close to downtown and schools, and just undercutting Mackay’s pricing, the homes sold briskly. The first 78 were half gone within six months.

Vintage ad from a May 1969 Oakland Tribune promoting Del Prado in Pleasanton by Ditz-Crane. The ad features the playful slogan “like, you’ll love it!” alongside bold typography and mid-century design elements, appealing to young, modern homebuyers of the era.
From a May 1969 Oakland Tribune ad—"like, you’ll love it!” This ad was like totally ahead of its time—like, way before Valley girls made “like” a lifestyle.

Fresh new elegance—with everything included

These homes were thoughtfully designed for modern living. Standard features included all-electric kitchens with continuous-clean ovens, wall-to-wall carpeting, dressing rooms in the primary suite—and of course, those breezy open floor plans that defined late-60s optimism.

What del Prado lacked in splashy promotion, it made up for in surprise. A buyer might have glimpsed an ad, but they had to show up in person to discover the variety of elevations and creative floor plans. Once they did, they rarely left disappointed.

By 1970, as Interstates 580 and 680 fully opened and slashed commute times, Ditz-Crane expanded with Unit 2 along the Arroyo Valle. Select lots backed up to the creek—a rare and peaceful touch in suburban tract housing.

A builder in transition

Founded in 1954, Ditz-Crane had established itself as a thoughtful and quality builder in Northern California. In early 1970, the company was acquired by Foremost-McKesson, which also owned Gentry Development—the firm behind Dublin’s well-loved Silvergate subdivision, founded by Tom Gentry. That merger brought more resources under the Ditz-Crane name, but del Prado remained distinct: stylish, understated, and subtly sophisticated.

The homes of Del Prado

Seven floor plans were available at launch, with five on display at a model complex on Corte Sierra. By 1970, the model complex grew to seven homes, with 10 floor plans available.

Map of the Ditz-Crane model home complex on Corte Sierra in the Del Prado neighborhood of Pleasanton, California, showing the cul-de-sac layout and placement of model homes used to showcase various floor plans during the neighborhood’s initial development phase.
Map of the Ditz-Crane model home complex on Corte Sierra.

Pricing history

  • 1968: $31,950 - $37,950
  • 1969: $30,950 - $35,500
  • 1970: $32,500 - $37,950
  • 1971: $34,950 - $40,950
  • 1972: $34,950 +

Model homes

1. The Plan 1829 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,944~ sq. ft. Added in 1970.

2. The Plan 1812 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1, 673 sq. ft.

3. The Plan 1816 - 5 bedrooms or 4 bedrooms with a retreat, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,372~ sq. ft.

4. The Plan 1841 - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,124 sq. ft.

Vintage ad from a May 1970 Oakland Tribune featuring Plan 1841 by Ditz-Crane. The original headline, “stealing hearts,” was later toned down to “crowd pleaser.” The ad, known for its bold language and popularity, ran repeatedly, highlighting the model’s strong appeal among homebuyers.
From a May 1970 Oakland Tribune ad—Plan 1841 made such a splash they had to tone it down—because apparently “stealing” hearts was too edgy, so it became "crowd pleaser." This ad ran again and again… and again.

5. The Plan 1831 - 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,950 sq. ft. A 2-story home with large utility room that could be used to store your prized treasures.

Floor plan of Plan 1831 from a May 1970 Oakland Tribune ad, highlighting a spacious single-story layout with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and an oversized utility room—an unusual and practical feature for homes of its time.
From a May 1970 Oakland Tribune ad—that oversized utility room? It’s not just for laundry. It’s for treasures, tools, tchotchkes, secrets. In 1970, a little extra space went a long way.

6. The Plan 1827 - 4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms with a retreat, 2 bathrooms, 1,733 sq. ft. Added in 1970.

7. The Plan 1812 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,623 sq. ft. Appears to have been shown twice in the model complex.

Del Prado today

Here are the former model homes as they appear today.

The Plan 1829 today

Current photo of a former Plan 1829 model home in Pleasanton’s Del Prado. Originally a single-story, this 4-bedroom home has been expanded with a second story, blending original mid-century design with modern modifications.
Former model of Plan 1829 in Pleasanton’s Del Prado neighborhood. Originally a single-story 4-bedroom home, this example has been expanded with a second story, showing the neighborhood's evolution over time.

The Plan 1812 today

Current photo of the former Plan 1812 model in Del Prado, Pleasanton. This single-story 3-bedroom home features modest architectural detailing and a low-pitched roof typical of early 1970s suburban homes.
Former model of Plan 1812, a compact and efficient single-story home with 3 bedrooms and clean early-1970s design lines.

The Plan 1816 today

Current photo of the former Plan 1816 model home in Del Prado. This two-story house features traditional design with an attached garage and optional retreat space, once marketed as ideal for large or multigenerational households.
Former model of Plan 1816, a spacious two-story home offering up to 5 bedrooms or 4 with a retreat. Designed for growing families, it showcased flexible floorplans and generous square footage.

The Plan 1841 today

Current photo of the former Plan 1841 model in Pleasanton’s Del Prado. The two-story home features two prominent front arches, stucco exterior, and a classic 1970s suburban layout.
Former model of Plan 1841, a two-story home marked by its pair of graceful front arches—an echo of the Spanish-Californian design influences seen throughout Del Prado.

The Plan 1831 today

Current photo of the former Plan 1831 model home in Del Prado. This two-story house features traditional architecture and includes a spacious utility room, originally highlighted as a premium storage space.
Former model of Plan 1831, a two-story home with a large utility room once promoted as the perfect space to store your treasures.

The Plan 1827 today

Current photo of the former Plan 1827 model home in Pleasanton’s Del Prado neighborhood. This single-story home includes either four bedrooms or a three-bedroom layout with retreat, and showcases early 1970s suburban styling.
Former model of Plan 1827, a flexible single-story floorplan introduced in 1970, offering up to four bedrooms or a retreat option.

The Plan 1812 today

Current photo of a second Plan 1812 model in Del Prado, Pleasanton. Nearly identical to the other version, this 3-bedroom, single-story home was likely featured twice to demonstrate varied exterior options.
Another former Plan 1812 model home—shown twice in the model complex—underscoring its popularity with buyers during the early phase of Del Prado’s development.

Other Ditz-Crane plans in del Prado

These plans were built but not featured in the official model lineup:

The Plan 1822 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,034 sq. ft. It was discontinued by 1971.

Current photo of a rare Plan 1822 home in Pleasanton’s Del Prado. This single-story house features Mediterranean architectural elements, including a red tile roof and arched entryway, typical of its brief run before discontinuation in 1971.
An example of the Plan 1822, featuring striking Mediterranean design with a red tile roof. Only built for a short time before being phased out in 1971.

The Plan 1813 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,868 sq. ft. A 4-bedroom version of Plan 1812.

Current photo of a Plan 1813 home in Del Prado, Pleasanton. This upgraded 4-bedroom version of Plan 1812 includes a grand arched entry and refined details that emphasize Spanish-Californian design trends.
A 4-bedroom variation of the 1812 plan, this home features a bold arched entry and enhanced curb appeal, adding grandeur to a familiar layout.

The Plan 1826 - 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,961 sq. ft. A rare home, only two were built.

Current photo of a rare Plan 1826 home in Del Prado. This two-story, 3-bedroom home was one of only two built, featuring a distinctive layout and uncommon footprint within the neighborhood.
One of only two known Plan 1826 homes, this rare two-story model stands out with its unique layout and low production numbers.

The end of an era

By 1972, a regional housing moratorium brought construction at del Prado to a halt. Five lots within the model complex—possibly intended for future phases—sat empty until the 1980s, when they were finally built out with custom homes.

Other parcels, including lots around Hansen Drive, were sold off to Standard-Pacific and became part of the Easy Street subdivision. A planned school site near Hansen Park fell through, eventually giving way to more housing in the late 1990s.

A lasting impression

While Ditz-Crane didn’t shout the loudest, their homes still stand tall. Del Prado remains a beloved Pleasanton neighborhood—charming, well-built, and slightly under the radar. Proof that sometimes, the homes with the quietest introductions are the ones that stick around the longest.

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