The ideal suburban floor plan: a Tri-Valley favorite in the 1960s and ’70s

Current photo of a Woodhaven House in Pleasanton Valley, showing a single-story ranch-style home with a low-pitched roof, horizontal layout, and attached garage. Originally built in 1969 by Morrison Homes, the house remains a classic example of Tri-Valley suburban architecture.

In the heart of California’s Tri-Valley region, one suburban floor plan stood above the rest. Popular across Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon, and Livermore, this layout became the blueprint for the ideal mid-century family home—and continues to influence home design today.

Defining characteristics of the floor plan

This classic ranch-style layout, often roughly h-shaped (including mirrored versions), combined functional zoning with family-friendly flow:

  • Formal living and dining rooms at the front of the house for entertaining guests

  • Casual family room and open kitchen at the rear, perfect for everyday life

  • Breakfast nook or breakfast bar for informal meals

  • A centrally located kitchen, considered the heart of the home

  • A windowless central bathroom, shared by secondary bedrooms

  • A private bedroom wing with 3 or 4 bedrooms, including a rear-facing primary suite

  • Homes typically ranged from 1,400 to 1,800 square feet, offering room to grow without excess

Where it all began: the Mount Diablo plan (1965)

It could be said that Duc & Elliott pioneered this floor plan when they introduced the Mount Diablo model at Villa de San Ramon in Dublin in 1965. Recognized nationally, it received the Approved Value Design Award from Better Homes and Gardens magazine for its forward-thinking layout.

Vintage floor plan for the Mount Diablo model home, showing open public areas at the front, semi-private family spaces near the kitchen, and a fully separated rear bedroom wing—designed to meet the needs of 1960s suburban families.
The Mount Diablo had everything families were looking for: open public areas, cozy semi-private spaces, and a fully separated sleeping wing.

  • 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, up to 1,740 sq. ft.

Perfected by Kay Homes: Plan 424 at Rancho Solano (1966)

Kay Homes brought refinement to the design with Plan 424, introduced at Rancho Solano in San Ramon. The highlight? A sunken sitting area in the primary suite—pure luxury. A year later, they introduced a 3-bedroom version that traded the breakfast nook for a bar, adapting the plan for smaller households.

Vintage floor plan for Plan 424 by Kay Homes, introduced in 1966. The layout includes formal living and dining spaces at the front, a central kitchen with adjacent family room, and a private rear wing with four bedrooms. A sunken sitting area in the primary suite adds a touch of mid-century luxury.
Floor plan for Plan 424 by Kay Homes, introduced at Rancho Solano in San Ramon in 1966. This model featured a sunken sitting area in the primary suite and flexible layout options that balanced luxury and functionality.

  • 4 bedrooms (or 3), 2 bathrooms

A bold take: The original Huntington by H.C. Elliott (1966)

H.C. Elliott’s early version of The Huntington, while innovative, had two notable flaws: the bedroom wing was visible from the front door, and it lacked a formal dining area. But its circular kitchen design was an attention-grabber.

Vintage floor plan for the original Huntington model by H.C. Elliott, introduced in 1966. Features a central circular kitchen, open living areas, and a bedroom wing positioned off the main entry. Lacks formal dining space and includes a primary suite at the rear.
Floor plan for the original Huntington model by H.C. Elliott, introduced at Somerset West in Livermore in 1966. Known for its round kitchen and open layout, the plan broke new ground despite its unconventional visibility of private spaces.

  • 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,479 sq. ft.

  • Introduced at Somerset West in Livermore

Morrison Homes' hit: The Woodhaven in Pleasanton Valley (1969)

By 1969, Morrison Homes had fine-tuned the concept with the Woodhaven model in Pleasanton Valley. The standout feature? A flexible fourth bedroom that could be converted into a retreat off the primary suite—a forward-thinking touch that echoed modern luxury.

Vintage floor plan for the Woodhaven House by Morrison Homes, introduced in 1969. The layout includes formal living and dining areas at the front, an open kitchen and family room at the rear, and a private bedroom wing. Optional fourth bedroom could be used as a sitting room or retreat off the primary suite.
Vintage floor plan for the original Huntington model by H.C. Elliott, introduced in 1966. Features a central circular kitchen, open living areas, and a bedroom wing positioned off the main entry. Lacks formal dining space and includes a primary suite at the rear.

  • 4 bedrooms or 3 with retreat, 2 bathrooms, 1,808 sq. ft.

Central flow: The Carmel by Mackay Homes (1971)

Mackay Homes brought architectural grace to the design with the Carmel model at Del Prado in Pleasanton. The oversized central hall allowed for better circulation, giving active families room to move without bottlenecks.

Vintage floor plan for the Carmel model by Mackay Homes, introduced in 1971. The layout centers around an extra-wide hallway that connects formal living and dining areas at the front, an open kitchen and family room at the rear, and a private bedroom wing, with the primary suite positioned at the back.
Floor plan for the Carmel model by Mackay Homes, introduced at Del Prado in Pleasanton in 1971. This design featured a generous central hallway connecting all living areas, creating a smooth flow ideal for busy family life.

  • 4 bedrooms or 3 with a retreat, 2 bathrooms, 1,790 sq. ft.

A refined reboot: The Huntington at Vintage Hills (1973)

In 1973, H.C. Elliott corrected earlier missteps with a new version of The Huntington, launched at Vintage Hills in Pleasanton. This plan finally included a formal dining room and visually separated the private wing from the public space.

Vintage floor plan for the 1973 Huntington model by H.C. Elliott, introduced at Vintage Hills in Pleasanton. Features include formal living and dining spaces, an open kitchen and family room at the rear, and a private bedroom wing with a rear-facing primary suite. A new partition wall separates private areas from the front entry for added privacy.
Floor plan for the revised Huntington model by H.C. Elliott, introduced at Vintage Hills in Pleasanton in 1973. This updated version added a formal dining room and visually separated the bedroom wing from the entry for improved privacy and flow.

  • 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,699 sq. ft.

Beyond the 1970s: a legacy that continued

This beloved floor plan didn't fade with the decade. Variations of it appeared in other Pleasanton neighborhoods like Stoneridge and Parkside, continuing well into the 1980s.

Today, these homes remain some of the most sought-after properties in the Tri-Valley real estate market—proof that good design never goes out of style.

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