Ripplebrook in Livermore (1971–1973): a dream within reach by Sunset Homes

Explore Ripplebrook (1971–1973), Sunset Homes’ stylish and affordable home series in Livermore. See model homes, vintage ads, and the forward-thinking vision that brought inclusive design to suburbia.

Ripplebrook logo from Sunset Homes' early 1970s housing series in Livermore
In March of 1971, Sunset Homes launched a housing concept that turned heads and challenged norms: the Ripplebrook series. Designed with first-time buyers in mind, Ripplebrook offered stylish, starter-friendly homes—but not on the outskirts of town. Instead, they were placed right in the heart of Livermore’s more affluent neighborhoods, alongside homes nearly twice their price.

That meant if you bought a Ripplebrook home starting at just 20,950, you could be living next to a $35,000+ executive-level Wildwood home. And that was the point: inclusion by design, decades before it became a buzzword.

1971 Oakland Tribune ad for Sunset Homes' starter homes
From a 1971 Oakland Tribune ad—quality, style, and a sky high ceiling you can afford.

A neighborhood without borders

Ripplebrook homes were sprinkled across Sunset East, Three Fountains, and Whispering Pines—giving buyers the freedom to choose not only a floor plan but also a lifestyle. The model complex was in Sunset East, where open-house weekends were as much about possibility as they were about square footage.

Map of Three Fountains, Whispering Pines, and Sunset East in Livermore California
Ripplebrook homes were built in the Three Fountains, Whispering Pines, and Sunset East neighborhoods in Livermore, California.

Groovy designs for a new era

The Ripplebrook series offered four models, each tailored for livability with a splash of 1970s style. Sunset’s hallmark signature fireplace anchored many living rooms, while timbered ceilings, open layouts, and stylish built-ins gave each home a touch of architectural flair.

1971 Oakland Tribune ad for Ripplebrook’s Taku model, featuring vaulted timber ceilings and a signature Sunset fireplace
From a 1971 Oakland Tribune ad—the grooviest ceiling you've ever seen with a signature fireplace inside the Taku model.
1971 Ripplebrook Hacienda model ad showcasing wall-to-wall carpet and Sunset fireplace, from the Contra Costa Times
From a 1971 Contra Costa Times ad—signature Sunset fireplace, wall-to-wall carpeting, and hip wall treatments inside the Hacienda model.
1973 Ripplebrook ad highlighting the Maison model’s unique ceiling design and compact layout
From a 1973 Oakland Tribune ad—Local schools organized field trips to view this metallic wallpapered ceiling inside the Maison model. Far out!

The Ripplebrook model homes

Model homes were shown at a complex on Heidelberg Drive, where would-be buyers toured four thoughtfully staged homes—each dressed to impress with shag carpets, wallpapered walls, and period-perfect decor.

Site map showing Ripplebrook model home complex on Heidelberg Drive in Livermore, 1971
Site of the Ripplebrook model homes.

Pricing history
1971: $20,950 - $25,600
1972: $23,450 - $29,450
1973: $24,600 - $30,950

1. The Taku - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,330 sq. ft. Warm and welcoming, the Taku featured bold interior timbering and a Sunset signature fireplace—a favorite for chilly evenings.

Original Taku model home in Ripplebrook, Livermore — 4-bedroom design with exposed beams and Sunset fireplace
The original Taku model today.

2. The Hacienda - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,239 sq. ft. A bonus is the 30' long garage, perfect for storage or a workbench.

Ripplebrook Hacienda model home in Livermore — 3-bedroom layout with extended garage, used as the original sales office
The original Hacienda model today. The sales office was in this home.

3. The Maison - 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, 1,026 sq. ft. Compact but full of charm, the Maison made a big impact with a funky ceiling design and clever use of space.

Maison model in Ripplebrook, Livermore — compact 3-bedroom plan with distinctive ceiling and period decor
The original Maison model today.

4. The Colbeh - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,1,575 or 1,584 sq. ft. The largest of the bunch, the Colbeh offered flexibility and flair.

Colbeh model home from Ripplebrook series in Livermore — 3 or 4-bedroom plan with flexible layout, shown with later front gable addition"
The original Colbeh model today (with added front gable).

What made Ripplebrook revolutionary

At a time when housing was increasingly segmented by income, Ripplebrook broke the mold. Sunset Homes didn’t just build houses—they challenged the unspoken rules of suburbia by inviting starter homes into upscale neighborhoods.

That kind of integration wasn’t just bold—it was rare. And it gave buyers a chance to belong somewhere they might not have otherwise.

Still standing (and sometimes remodeled)

Many original Ripplebrook homes can still be found throughout the Sunset neighborhoods. Some have been remodeled, others expanded—but many still hold echoes of the era: sky-high ceilings, sunlit windows, and those unmistakable Sunset fireplaces.

The series officially wrapped in mid-1973 with the sale of the model homes, but its legacy lives on—in floorplans that were ahead of their time, and a vision of housing that welcomed more people to the table.

Why it matters now

In today’s housing market, the Ripplebrook story feels surprisingly modern. It’s a reminder that good design, smart planning, and inclusive thinking can still shape great communities. And sometimes, the most revolutionary ideas come with shag carpet and an all-electric kitchen.

Related posts: Wildwood homes | The story of Sunset Homes

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