Even in its earliest developmental phases, Rancho Bernardo helped to lead the way toward modern suburban homeowners’
expectations from their residences. One article in the April 1966 edition of the Bernardo Brandings, titled “Mrs. America
Builds Her Dream House,” makes this clear by detailing certain specifications women wanted to have in their new homes.
These included master bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, multiple bathrooms in the same residence, fully enclosed two-car
garages with optional electric openers, and open back patio areas with direct viewing from the kitchen window.[1] nd yet,
even though these would seem like features befitting growing families, they also appealed, in the case of Rancho Bernardo, to
some retirees. Other large merchant builders and corporations would not follow en masse until later in the 1970s, when
technological advancements and increased competition drove prices down, and they did not make the features standard across
some (or all) of their home lines until the 1980s.
Another innovation for the time, one that would go on to become a distinguishing characteristic of Rancho Bernardo, was the
introduction of a then-new housing type — the condominium, or condo for short.[2] Some people wanted to enjoy the privilege
of owning a home, but also have some of the maintenance work, especially on the exterior appearance and in the yards, taken
care of by a property management company, as was the case with apartment complexes.[3] It was this niche market that
condominiums sought to fill, and Rancho Bernardo offered some of the first condominium complexes aimed at retirees. Two of
the earliest such developments built in Rancho Bernardo were the Haciendas and The Rancho Bernardo Villas. Rather than
being a standalone subdivision, the Haciendas became integrated into the eastern end of the larger age-restricted Seven Oaks
development, and they were grouped into triplexes. In fact, Rancho Bernardo, Inc. President Harry L. Summers stated that
Rancho Bernardo, Inc., became “…the first major builder in the San Diego area to offer triplex condominiums.”[4]
Architecturally, the Haciendas proved rather basic, and all units had the same general exterior appearance — white paint with
red tile roofs and contrasting dark brown trim on the gutters and frames around the windows and doors. Customers could
choose from three modest single-story floor plans: one bedroom and one bathroom, two bedrooms and one bathroom, or two
bedrooms and two bathrooms.[5] The Haciendas did not contain garages, but they did include sheltered carports, grassy front
lawns, and some sidewalks, and they were located within walking distance of the Seven Oaks Community Center.
The Villas followed the same basic color scheme as the Haciendas, but this development used a different architectural style —
one drawing on elements of Spanish colonial architecture, including rounded archways, smooth stucco siding, and a central
“courtyard” area. Also unlike the Haciendas, the some of the Villas had two-story floor plans, with some of the units having
stairs leading down to the entrances.
This page features some pictures of the houses and condominiums that the author has taken.
References
[1] “A House to Build a Dream On … Mrs. America’s Home in RB” (Bernardo Brandings, April 1966,) 2.
[2] “Rancho Bernardo Opens City’s First Condominium,” San Diego Union (Wednesday, March 6, 1963), page F11. Technically, La Jolla was the first area in San Diego County to see condominium construction, but Rancho Bernardo was the first to have complexes with specific age restrictions.
[3] “Condominium — Togetherness Living” (Bernardo Brandings, Vol. 6, No. 10, October 1973), 48-49.
[4] Harry L. Summers, The President’s Corner (Bernardo Brandings, Oct. 1, 1965), 4.
[5] “Carefree Adult Living … In Seven Oaks Haciendas” (Bernardo Brandings, Vol. 2, No. 3, March 1969,) 15-16.
AVCO Involvement: Corporate Entrance into Community Building
General Historiographical Background of Suburbs and Suburbanization
Homeowners’ Associations and Common-Interest Developments (CIDs)
Other Important Places in the Community
Promoting the Big Idea: Rancho Bernardo Decides to Advertise