In December 1968, Ditz-Crane Homes debuted the del Prado subdivision in Pleasanton, a named ultimately given to the entire neighborhood. 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.
Built on the former Hansen Ranch, Ditz-Crane del Prado offered a graceful alternative to its more polished neighbor next door—Mackay Homes, who also was using the Del Prado name (with a capital D). 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.
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| March 1969 Contra Costa Times ad—grand opening of Del Prado by Ditz-Crane. Welcoming you home with all-electric kitchens and abundant storage ideas. |
Where Ditz-Crane homes were built in Del Prado Pleasanton
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| Annotated aerial map of the Ditz-Crane homes in the Del Prado neighborhood in Pleasanton, California. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
Who are Ditz-Crane?
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.
Selling the dream
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.
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| 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. |
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| May 1970 Oakland Tribune ad—the floor plan of the Plan 1831 home with an oversized utility room. It’s not just for laundry, it’s for treasures, tools, and tchotchkes. In 1970, a little extra space went a long way. |
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| May 1971 Contra Costa Times newspaper clipping—A new way to make a room appear larger was to drop the floor. Inside the Plan 1841, showing the sunken family room and 70s inspired-interior. |
Legacy of Del Prado
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.
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.
Exploring the original Ditz-Crane del Prado today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original del Prado model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Ditz-Crane's vision for suburban living in 1969.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to del Prado's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
Original advertised prices
- 1968: $31,950 - $37,950
- 1969: $30,950 - $35,500
- 1970: $32,500 - $37,950
- 1971: $34,950 - $40,950
- 1972: From $34,950
Original model home complex
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.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Ditz-Crane homes at Del Prado model home complex on Corte Sierra. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
Original model home designs
1. The Plan 1829 - This model offered approximately 1,944 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Added in 1970.
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| Original Plan 1829 model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Plan 1812 - This model offered approximately 1,673 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 1812 model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Plan 1816 - This model offered approximately 2,372 square feet with up to 5 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 1816 model today via Google Street View. |
4. The Plan 1841 - This model offered approximately 2,124 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 1841 model today via Google Street View. |
5. The Plan 1831 - This model offered approximately 1,950 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 1831 model today via Google Street View. |
6. The Plan 1827 - This model offered approximately 1,733 square feet with up to 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Added in 1970.
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| Original Plan 1827 model today via Google Street View. |
7. The Plan 1812 - This model offered approximately 1,623 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Appears to have been shown twice in the model complex.
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| Original Plan 1812 model today—shown twice in the model complex. Image via Google Street View. |
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.
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| An example of a Plan 1822 home via Google Street View. |
The Plan 1813 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,868 sq. ft. A 4-bedroom version of Plan 1812.
A Plan 1813 home today via Google Street View. |
The Plan 1826 - 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,961 sq. ft. A rare home, only two were built.
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| One of only two known Plan 1826 homes, this rare two-story model stands out with its low production numbers. Image via Google Street View. |
Collection
Pleasanton — the places that built a modern city
This collection explores the new-home communities, builders, and neighborhoods that reshaped Pleasanton during the decades when the city evolved from an agricultural town into one of the East Bay's defining suburban cities.
Continue exploring
- Mackay homes in Del Prado (Pleasanton, 1969)
- Easy Street by Standard-Pacific — the first phase of a 1972 Del Prado subdivision
- Mackay homes in Del Prado (Pleasanton, 1973)
- Pleasant Meadows by Standard-Pacific — the final phase of a 1976 Del Prado subdivision
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