Inside Del Prado: Pleasanton's 1969–1976 neighborhood legacy
In the golden years of the late 1960s, as Pleasanton was still shedding its farming roots, a quiet new neighborhood began to rise on the old Hansen Ranch.
It didn’t make headlines. It didn’t come with fanfare. But those who stumbled across the gently curving streets just off Hopyard Road knew they’d found something special. This was Del Prado—Spanish for “The Meadow”—and it would soon become one of Pleasanton’s most enduring suburban stories.
 |
A new kind of suburb
In December 1968, builder Ditz-Crane Homes quietly previewed its first five homes in Del Prado. Prices began just under $31,000—a practical dream for Bay Area families looking for room to grow.
 |
| The start of something special: In December 1968, Ditz-Crane Homes quietly opened its first five Del Prado model homes. With prices starting under $31,000, they offered Bay Area families a stylish and attainable path to suburban life in Pleasanton. |
Other builders had their eye on Pleasanton too. Mackay Homes, known for their bold Spanish-inspired designs in Menlo Park, began building just next door. While Mackay brought tiled roofs and “Sunshine Kitchens,” Ditz-Crane focused on open layouts, retreat spaces, and a kind of California elegance that didn’t shout.
 |
| “Finest Home Show in the East Bay!” A 1969 Mackay Homes ad pulls out all the stops for Del Prado’s grand debut—five fully furnished model homes, curved streets, and Spanish flair. More than a subdivision, it was a showcase of mid-century California living. |
They didn’t need to. The homes spoke for themselves.
By 1970, the first 78 homes were halfway sold. Buyers weren’t just moving into houses—they were buying into an idea: a quiet, well-designed neighborhood close to schools, downtown, and, thanks to the new I-580 and I-680 corridors, San Francisco and San Jose.
The models that made it
On Corte Sierra, seven model homes stood open—each one offering a different flavor of family life. Some had vaulted ceilings, others boasted oversized utility rooms or dressing areas in the primary suite.
 |
| Classic Del Prado by Ditz-Crane. Built around 1970, this single-story ranch reflects the quiet elegance that defined the neighborhood—breezy floor plans, modest detailing, and just enough flair to stand out without showing off. |
There was Plan 1816, with up to five bedrooms. Plan 1831, a bold two-story with room for "treasures, tools, tchotchkes, secrets.” And Plan 1841, so popular that a bold newspaper ad called it a “heart-stealer” before being edited down to the more modest “crowd pleaser.”
These weren’t cookie-cutter homes. They offered character, variety, and just enough flair to make each feel like a custom design.
Expansion, infill & the builders that followed
As Ditz-Crane built out Del Prado, another builder—Standard-Pacific Corporation—entered the scene in 1972. They carved out a small tract called Easy Street, just a few blocks north. Their homes were more modest in size, but still stylish and well-built, ranging from the cozy Cedar model to the family-friendly Cypress.
 |
| “Great Living on Easy Street!” In 1972, Standard-Pacific launched its own slice of suburban charm in Pleasanton. With bold rooflines, all-electric kitchens, and a location right off Hopyard Road, Easy Street was modern, mellow, and just far enough from the noise. |
Sales were slower in the mid-70s—high interest rates and an economic lull didn’t help. In 1976, Standard-Pacific rebranded their final phase as Pleasant Meadows and brought new models like the Magnolia and Madrone to market. The name confused some buyers (it sounded a lot like Pleasanton Meadows across town), but the homes found their audience.
Meanwhile, Mackay Homes continued building their own wave of homes in Del Prado, adding a second phase around Calle Reynoso. These were a little larger, a little fancier—featuring exposed beams, bigger kitchens, and a cabana with a community pool.
A pause & a legacy
By 1972, a regional housing moratorium brought most of Del Prado’s construction to a halt. A few parcels sat empty for more than a decade, while other lots were sold off to different builders. But the neighborhood was already thriving.
What Del Prado lacked in flashy branding, it made up for in staying power. The homes—built by Ditz-Crane, Mackay, Standard-Pacific—stood the test of time. Families planted trees. Kids biked to the park. Streets with names like Paseo del Cajon and Calle Reynoso grew shady and familiar.
Del Prado today
Drive through Del Prado today and you’ll still see echoes of its late-60s roots: arched entryways, tiled roofs, breezy layouts, lemon trees in the yard.
The former model homes are still there—most updated, a few expanded, but all proudly standing. You’ll see:
The >Barcelona, with its Mediterranean drama.
The practical Maple, now with solar panels.
The Plan 1812, still beloved for its sunny kitchen and livable size.
In total, hundreds of homes now form this neighborhood mosaic—some built in phases, others tucked into leftover lots, but all part of a story that started over 50 years ago.
A neighborhood with soul
Del Prado may not have had the loudest ads or the biggest launch, but it didn’t need them. Its charm came from something deeper: thoughtful homes, smart planning, and a sense of place that grew stronger with each passing year.
This wasn’t just a subdivision. It was, and still is, una comunidad con alma—a community with soul.
Comments
Post a Comment