Sunset 300 Series: 1964–1965 homes in Sunset West, Livermore

Cover photo of a typical single-story home from the 300 Series by Sunset Homes, built in 1964–1965 in Livermore’s Sunset West neighborhood. The home features a low-pitched roof, wide front windows, and a modest mid-century suburban design characteristic of the era.

Welcome to the 300 Series by Sunset Homes

In February 1964, Sunset Homes unveiled their second act in Livermore’s up-and-coming Granada Village—a blossoming patch of suburbia that promised modern living with a twist of charm. This new collection of homes wasn’t just another phase; it was a leap into “a new dimension in suburban sophistication,” as the grand opening ad so boldly declared. And with good reason.

Black-and-white newspaper ad from February 1964 promoting the grand opening of the Sunset Homes 300 Series in Livermore. The ad features the phrase “Who would dream... that just over the hill is the city,” along with illustrations of suburban homes nestled in a quiet landscape, highlighting the development’s serene location near the Bay Area.
Vintage February 1964 ad announcing the grand opening of Sunset Homes’ 300 Series in Livermore. Featuring the tagline “Who would dream... that just over the hill is the city,” the ad emphasized the community’s peaceful setting just beyond the urban bustle.

Sunset wasn’t just building homes—they were building desire. With thoughtful layouts, whimsical features, and prices that made first-time buyers blink twice, Sunset Homes quickly became the dominant builder in Livermore. Before long, the neighborhood itself would earn a new name: Sunset West.

Map of the Sunset West neighborhood (formerly known as Granada Village) in Livermore, California, showing the layout of residential streets, home tracts, and overall neighborhood boundaries.
Map of the Sunset West neighborhood (formerly, Granada Village) in Livermore, California.

From Camellia to Catalina

Sales took off at the Camellia Drive model complex, nestled near Elaine Avenue. By July 1965, the homes had sold out, and the spotlight shifted to a new set of models on Catalina Drive. But for a brief, sparkling moment, Camellia Drive was the stage for Sunset’s show-stopping 300 Series—a set of six floor plans named with a dash of French flair and a sprinkle of fantasy.

The homes of the 300 Series on Camellia Drive

Open for admiration, imagination, and a well-timed financing brochure. 35-year loans had started becoming available; 15 years longer than the usual 20-year loans at the time. The show home complex was located next to an earlier complex on Grace Street.

Map showing the site of the 300 Series model home complex by Sunset Homes, located on Camellia Drive in Livermore, California. The map highlights the layout of the model homes within the residential neighborhood.
Map of the 300 Series model home complex on Camilla Drive.

Pricing history

  • 1964: $16,700 – $22,350
  • 1965: $16,700 – $22,350

Model homes

1. La Sirène - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,127 sq. ft. With a pass-through garage and a name that whispers mermaid dreams, La Sirène was made for those who liked their practicality with a hint of poetry.

Floor plan of the La Sirène model home from a July 1964 Oakland Tribune ad. The layout shows a mid-century single-story design with clearly labeled rooms, including multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces, and integrated garage.
From a July 1964 Oakland Tribune ad—floor plan of La Sirène with a practical innovation: garage doors on both sides of the garage.

2. La Rouge-Gorge - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Named for the robin, this plan was cozy, cheerful, and ready for nesting.

3. Le Colibri - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,484 sq. ft. A fan favorite! Le Colibri (that’s hummingbird, if you’re wondering) included the now-iconic built-in barbecue right in the family room. Yes, inside. Because nothing says "weeknight dinner" like flipping burgers while watching Walter Cronkite.

Illustration from a May 1964 Oakland Tribune ad showcasing Sunset Homes’ famous built-in backyard barbecue. The design features a brick structure with a chimney and countertop space, highlighting mid-century outdoor living amenities.
From a May 1964 Oakland Tribune ad—the famous Sunset built-in barbecue. Accept no substitutes.

4. La Corneille - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,496 sq. ft. The crow may be humble in name, but this home was generous in size—perfect for growing broods and neighborhood sleepovers.

5. La Mouette - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,792 sq. ft. The seagull never soared this gracefully. La Mouette was the largest model in the series, ideal for homeowners with big plans and bigger furniture.

Vintage newspaper ad from February 1964 featuring the exterior of the two-story La Mouette model in Sunset West by Sunset Homes. The illustration shows a mid-century suburban home with clean lines, a front-facing garage, and prominent windows, reflecting the era’s architectural style.
February 1964 ad for the La Mouette model in Sunset West by Sunset Homes. This two-story design was part of Sunset’s early offerings in Livermore, showcasing modern suburban style with spacious living and a bold exterior aesthetic.

6. La Continental - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,384 sq. ft. Added in September 1964, this stylish number brought a touch of European elegance to Livermore’s sun-drenched lots.

Vintage newspaper ad from September 1964 featuring the La Continental model by Sunset Homes. The ad showcases a stylish mid-century home design with European-inspired branding, promoting modern suburban living in Livermore.
From a September 1964 Oakland Tribune ad—the La Continental—always on time, always in style.

The Sunset 300 Series today

Here are what the former model homes look like today.

The La Sirène today

Exterior view of the La Sirène model home from the Sunset 300 Series in Livermore, featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This charming design, with a pass-through garage, evokes a poetic allure with a name inspired by mermaids, blending practicality with whimsy.
The original La Sirène model today.

The La Rouge-Gorge today

Street view of the La Rouge-Gorge model, a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in the Sunset 300 Series. Named after the robin, this cozy and cheerful home was designed for nesting families, featuring a welcoming exterior and compact layout.
The original La Rouge-Gorge model today.

The Le Colibri today

Exterior shot of the Le Colibri model, a fan-favorite design from the Sunset 300 Series. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home, named for the hummingbird, features a spacious layout with an iconic built-in barbecue in the family room—perfect for entertaining.
The original Le Colibri model today (with second-story expansion). This home also housed the sales office.

The La Corneille today

Front view of the La Corneille model, a generous 4-bedroom, 2-bath home from the Sunset 300 Series in Livermore. Despite its namesake, “the crow,” this spacious design was ideal for growing families, offering ample room for sleepovers and play.
The original La Corneille model today.

The La Mouette today

Exterior of the La Mouette model home, the largest in the Sunset 300 Series at 1,792 square feet. This 4-bedroom, 2-bath design, named after the seagull, is perfect for those with big plans and larger furnishings, offering generous space for family living.
The original La Mouette model today.

The La Continental today

This home is camera shy, for now.

A short, shining chapter in Sunset’s suburban storybook

Though the 300 Series only graced Livermore for a brief window between 1964 and 1965, its impact was anything but fleeting. These homes—part bird, part daydream—set the tone for everything Sunset would do next. With whimsical names, built-in barbecues, and just enough French flair to make a tract home feel like a treasure, they invited families into a lifestyle that felt modern, warm, and just a little bit enchanted.

These homes weren’t just structures; they were characters in Sunset’s ever-growing ensemble—each offering a new way to live, entertain, and imagine suburban life. As the flags moved from Camellia to Catalina, and from colibris to castillos, one thing was certain: Sunset wasn’t done dreaming—and neither were the families lucky enough to move in.

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