Granada Village (Sunset West) — Sunset Homes tract series in Livermore (1965)

The Castillos Series by Sunset Homes 

Have you ever wandered through a neighborhood and felt like every home had its own little secret? That’s Granada Village—or as it’s better known today, Sunset West. With whimsical “Castillo” model names, bold design choices, and even a dedicated sales pavilion, this 1960s neighborhood turned suburban living into something closer to stagecraft.

In June 1965, Sunset Homes introduced its fourth series of homes in Granada Village—arguably its most imaginative to date. Having built in the area since 1958, Sunset was ready to turn heads.

From a June 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—come for the homes, stay for the oak. (Actual houses not pictured, but trust us—they are under there somewhere.)

Where are the Castillos in Livermore?

The Castillos were built entirely within the Granada Village neighborhood, now known as Sunset West. 

Annotated aerial map of the Granda Village (Sunset West) neighborhood in Livermore, California. Base imagery from Google Maps.

Selling the series

Sunset’s founder, Masud Mehran, brought in home designer Kenneth Gooch to help deliver homes with flair. And flair they had—terrazzo flooring, Sonoma stonework, mirrored closets, soaring fireplaces, atriums, and curved walls were just the beginning.

Sunset didn’t brand this lineup with a formal name, but nearly every model carried the title “Castillo”—Spanish for “castle.” Buyers were invited to envision themselves as royalty, ruling over suburban kingdoms.

Even the kitchens were ahead of their time. The Castillo de Oro boasted Livermore’s first self-cleaning oven, while the Castillo Primavera offered a built-in indoor barbecue and optional three-car garage—yours for just $200 more.

From a 1967 Oakland Tribune—a photo taken of mirrored closet doors shows the reflection of a woman standing on the sun deck inside the Castillo del Oro model.

From a 1965 Oakland Tribune—a photo of the interior courtyard of the Castillo de la Concha model, when indoor-outdoor living was idealized by homebuyers.

From a 1966 Oakland Tribune—a woman views a roaring fire inside the the Castillo Acapulco model.

From a 1967 Oakland Tribune ad—built-in BBQs in the family room—burgers taste better indoors.

From a June 1966 Daily Review ad — the tri-level Castillo Marques, Sunset’s boldest design yet, offering up to 1,999 square feet of elevated mid-century style.

A sales pavilion fit for royalty

Instead of a makeshift sales desk in a garage, Sunset opened a full-fledged pavilion at 797 Catalina Drive. Visitors could sip coffee in a lounge and explore construction samples. It felt more like a design studio than a housing office. Sunset tried to sell the pavilion in 1968, but no takers—so it was torn down soon after.

From a 1968 Oakland Tribune—not of this neighborhood: The sales pavilion that landed early—and boldly—in 1960s Livermore.

Pricing history of Castillos homes

• 1965: $17,995 - $24,600
• 1966: $19,950 - $28,650
• 1967: $19,950 - $28,950
• 1968: $21,700 - $30,750

The homes of the Castillos Series

The model complex opened in June 1965 on Catalina Drive at Niagara Drive with five homes; four more joined over the next two years.

Annotated aerial map of the Sunset Castillos model home complex on Catalina Drive. Base imagery from Google Maps.

Model homes of the Castillos

1. The Castillo del Monico - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,250 sq. ft.

2. The Castillo Antigua - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,516~ sq. ft.

3. The Castillo Fontenette - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,628 sq. ft.

4. The Castillo La Concha - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,679 sq. ft.

5. The Castillo de Oro - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathroom, 1,900 sq. ft.

6. The Castillo Marques - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1,786 or 1,999 sq. ft. Added in May 1966, this tri-level home helped Sunset break sales records. The 4-bedroom version has 2 windows on the second story front.

7. The Castillo Acapulco - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,189 sq. ft. Added in October 1966.

8. The Castillo Primavera - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,513 or 1,650 sq. ft. Added in May 1967.

9. The Castillo Shangri-La - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,680 sq. ft. Added in April 1967.

Model obstructed, instead another Castillo del Monico on Catalina Drive via Google Street View.

Original Castillo Antiqua model today (with second-story addition) via Google Street View.

Original Castillo Fontenette model today via Google Street View.

Original Castillo La Concha model today via Google Street View.

Original Castillo de Oro model today via Google Street View.

Original Castillo Marques model today via Google Street View.

Original Castillo Acapulco model today via Google Street View.

Original Castillo Primavera model today via Google Street View.

Original Castillo Shangri-La model today via Google Street View.

A changing name for a changing neighborhood

Though still technically part of Granada Village, Sunset dropped that name from its marketing by 1968. The new phase opening that year was called Sunset East, and so this earlier section—west of Holmes Street—began to be known as Sunset West. That name stuck.

The Catalina Drive model complex was closed in early 1968 and the homes were sold by May. Meanwhile, the Sunset East homes began their own story.

Legacy of the Castillos

More than 50 years later, the Castillos remain some of the most beloved homes in Livermore. Their distinct designs, architectural flourishes, and builder pride still turn heads—and attract homeowners. What started as a bold experiment in suburban dreaming has become a cornerstone of the city's midcentury charm.

Related posts

• Masud Mehran and the creation of Sunsetown in Livermore
• Sunset West neighborhood history — Livermore
• History of Livermore neighborhoods