Sunset Castillos Series: 1965–1968 homes in Sunset West, Livermore

Cover photo of a typical two-story home from the Castillos Series in Livermore, built between 1965 and 1968 by Sunset Homes. The home features early California ranch influences with stucco siding, a low-pitched roof, and modest decorative details—representing the approachable yet stylish suburban architecture of mid-1960s Livermore.

Welcome to 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.

Map showing the Sunset West neighborhood in Livermore, California, where Sunset’s Castillos Series homes were built between 1965 and 1968.
Location of the Sunset West neighborhood (formerly known as Granada Village) in Livermore, California.

The designer touch

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.

Vintage 1965 Oakland Tribune ad showing large oak trees obscuring newly built homes in Sunset’s Granada Village
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.)

Royal amenities, 1960s style

Some of these Castillos were just plain fun. The Castillo de Oro featured a second-story balcony to survey your domain.

Newspaper clipping from 1967 Oakland Tribune promoting the Castillo de Oro model, highlighting its upper balcony and mirrored closet doors as symbols of suburban luxury.
From a 1967 Oakland Tribune—every queen deserves a sun deck—and mirrored closet doors to admire it from. (Because ruling your castle should come with great lighting and storage.)

The Castillo La Concha wrapped around a private outdoor atrium—perfect for barbecues or cocktails.

Vintage ad showing Castillo La Concha’s private outdoor courtyard with a mobile barbecue, emphasizing indoor-outdoor living.
From a 1965 Oakland Tribune—when your courtyard comes with a barbecue on wheels, every cook’s a roaming royal. (Grilling freedom, 1965 style.)

Even the kitchens were ahead of their time. The Castillo de Oro boasted Livermore’s first self-cleaning oven (practically Jetsons-level in 1965), while the Castillo Primavera offered a built-in indoor barbecue and optional three-car garage—yours for just $200 more.

Advertisement from 1967 featuring the Castillo Primavera model’s family room with built-in barbecue, a modern 1960s design innovation.
From a 1967 Oakland Tribune ad—built-in BBQs in the family room—burgers taste better indoors.

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.

Vintage photo of Sunset Homes’ sales pavilion at 797 Catalina Drive, a modernist showroom with glass walls used to market the Castillos Series in the 1960s.
From a 1968 Oakland Tribune—not of this neighborhood: The sales pavilion that landed early—and boldly—in 1960s Livermore.

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.

Map showing the site of Sunset Homes’ original Castillos Series model complex at Catalina Drive and Niagara Drive in Livermore, California—location of the 1965–1968 model home showcase in Granada Village.
Map of the Castillos model home complex on Catalina Drive in Livermore.

Pricing history

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

Model homes

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.

Black-and-white 1966 newspaper ad showing the Castillo Marques model—a tri-level home with dramatic rooflines and split-level design. The ad emphasizes the distinctive architecture of this Sunset Homes floor plan.
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.

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

Oakland Tribune ad from 1966 showcasing the Castillo Acapulco’s soaring cathedral ceiling and dramatic fireplace, designed for elegant living.
From a 1966 Oakland Tribune—a roaring fire and cathedral ceilings—every sunset deserves a grand finale. (Warming up to 1966 elegance.)

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.

Castillos today

Here's what the former Castillos Series model homes look like today.

A Castillo del Monico today

Exterior of a Castillo del Monico home on Catalina Drive today—a single-story ranch with original mid-century styling, partially obscured by foliage.
Model obstructed, instead another Castillo del Monico on Catalina Drive (not original model).

The Castillo Antigua today

The original Castillo Antigua model today, featuring a second-story addition—blending 1960s bones with updated architecture.
The original Castillo Antiqua model today (with second-story addition).

The Castillo Fontenette today

Current photo of the Castillo Fontenette model home—showing its symmetrical façade and classic suburban ranch form.
The original Castillo Fontenette model today.

The Castillo La Concha today

The original Castillo La Concha model as it appears today—highlighting its low-pitched roof and entry courtyard.
The original Castillo La Concha model today.

The Castillo de Oro today

Present-day photo of the Castillo de Oro model—two-story home with a balcony and a prominent front-facing garage.
The original Castillo de Oro model today.

The Castillo Marques today

The Castillo Marques model today—tri-level structure with a stepped roofline and two upper-story windows indicating the 4-bedroom version.
The original Castillo Marques model today.

The Castillo Acapulco today

The original Castillo Acapulco model today—large two-story home with bold rooflines and an entry that hints at its original dramatic fireplace.
The original Castillo Acapulco model today.

The Castillo Primavera today

The Castillo Primavera home today—a single-story layout with a wide façade, still reflecting its original modernist inspiration.
The original Castillo Primavera model today.

The Castillo Shangri-La today

Exterior of the original Castillo Shangri-La model today—showcasing 1960s detailing and a wide horizontal footprint.
The original Castillo Shangri-La model today.

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.

Lasting impressions

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.

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