Sunset East: the story behind the captivating signs

Have you ever driven down Holmes Street, spotted those stately brick signs reading Sunset East, and wondered, “What’s back there?” Something about them feels deliberate—like they’re keeping a secret from the casual passerby. If your curiosity ever got the best of you and you followed Vancouver Way into the neighborhood, then you already know: the homes inside Sunset East are anything but ordinary.

They’re dramatic. They’re daring. Some even have round kitchens and indoor BBQs. And as it turns out, the story behind those iconic signs—and the dreamlike homes that followed—is every bit as captivating as the neighborhood itself.

A magnificent brick sign on Holmes welcome you in. The original Sunset emblem and oak tree is still there.

It all started with Sunset Homes, one of Livermore’s most prolific homebuilders and a company with a flair for the fabulous. Having already built the charming Granada Village, Sunset set its sights eastward in the 1960s—literally. By acquiring farmland and ranches beyond Holmes Street, they weren’t just expanding; they were dreaming up an entirely new kind of suburban lifestyle.

Over 1,000 homesites are within the Sunset East neighborhood.

In 1968, the doors (and model home doors) of Sunset East opened wide. The homes came with names like “Kitchen in the Round” and “Garden Villa.” The streets bore the names of explorers and faraway cities. Even the signs at the entrance had a kind of Hollywood gravitas. This wasn’t just another development. This was suburban storytelling—one home at a time.

From a February 1968 Oakland Tribune ad—announcing the grand opening of tomorrow’s home—today! Clean lines, moonshot angles, and just enough modern flair to make NASA jealous. Come tour the future (and maybe park your Ford Galaxie in it).

The 600 Series: dream homes with a twist

The first homes to grace Sunset East weren’t subtle. Designed by architect Ken Gooch and styled by decorator Joan Kann, the 600 Series models were like concept cars you could actually live in—equal parts innovation and charm. Four luxurious model homes opened in a complex at 1710 Vancouver Way, priced between $31,800 and $34,950. Eventually expanding to eight models, the public responded favorable; Sunset broke sales records in 1968.

Let’s take a stroll, shall we?

Site of the 600 Series model homes in Sunset East.

1. The Ranch Kitchen - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,990 sq. ft. A classic ranch with an arching twist—open living, a generous footprint, and it just so happened to house the neighborhood’s sales office.

The original Ranch Kitchen model today.

2. The Kitchen in the Round (Design 620) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,809 sq. ft. This one dropped jaws. A circular kitchen complete with a wet bar, indoor BBQ, and an atrium garden? Yes, please. It even had a cathedral ceiling with a built-in ash bookcase. No wonder it won awards.

The original Kitchen in the Round model today.

From a 1968 Oakland Tribune—two sinks. Two ovens. An indoor BBQ. A dishwasher. And lighting worthy of a Broadway debut. This wasn’t just a kitchen—it was a stage for culinary excess.

From a 1968 Oakland Tribune—who needs corners when you’re this fabulous? The round kitchen: where every step is a twirl, every meal a performance, and even the toast comes with flair.

3. The Garden View Kitchen (Design 610) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,034 sq. ft. This early favorite had a 3-car garage, a spacious layout, and thoughtful details like dual vanities in the master bath. Later renamed The Lancaster, this home dazzled and won an "Award of Distinction"

The original Garden View Kitchen model today.

From a January 1969 San Jose Mercury—the Garden View Kitchen: wall-to-wall windows, miles of counter space, and an open-concept made for cocktail chatter and casserole confidence.

From a 1969 Oakland Tribune—mirror, mirror, and mirror again. With twin sinks, a vanity fit for Hollywood, and pendant lights that knew how to flatter—this bathroom wasn’t just for getting ready. It was for making an entrance.

4. The Gold Patio Kitchen & Solarium (Design 630) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,117 sq. ft. Opulence? Delivered. Featuring a private solarium, roman tub, and built-in wine rack, it practically asked to be sipped with cabernet. Later rebranded as The Imperial. A 5-bedroom adaption of this home became available in 1969.

The original Gold Patio Kitchen & Solarium model today.

From a 1968 Oakland Tribune—because in wine country, even your cabinetry knows what’s important. A built-in wine rack: equal parts storage solution and lifestyle flex.

5. The Gourmet Kitchen (Design 600) - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,133 sq. ft. A tri-level wonder with a sun deck over the garage. This one had personality, flow, and enough modern edge to make neighbors swoon.

The original Gourmet Kitchen model today.

A fan favorite on Vancouver Way.

6. The Gold Kitchen Nook (Design 660) - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1.973 sq. ft. An evolved version of Granada Village’s Castillo de Oro, this home retained the warmth of its predecessor and added new layers of elegance.

The original Gold Kitchen Nook model today.

7. The Country Kitchen - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,624 sq. ft. The coziest of the homes. Perfect for small families or first-time buyers with a flair for the charming.

The original Country Kitchen model today.

8. The Garden Villa (Design 680) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,838 sq. ft. Added in 1969, this home embraced flair, with a mirrored dining room ceiling and spaces that felt like they belonged in a storybook garden.

The original Garden Villa model today.

From a 1969 Contra Costa Times—mirrored ceilings—because why settle for one good angle when you can have them all? Bold, glamorous, and just a little bit scandalous.

From a November 1969 Oakland Tribune—five square feet of pure luxury—step into a shower with a full-length view of your own private solarium. Optional, of course... but who would say no?

Custom Design series: when Sunset went all in

In September 1969, Sunset introduced the Custom Design Series—a collection of 11 homes tailored to buyer feedback. Visitors had often asked, “Can I get the kitchen from this model in that one?” or wished that popular upgrades came standard. Sunset listened.

This series featured thoughtful enhancements to their classic 600 Series homes—like adding 315 square feet to the Kitchen-in-the-Round, or transforming one section of a 3-car garage into a fifth bedroom. It was a test: what if Sunset offered fully loaded homes, no customization required? Prices ranged from $33,750 to $39,950, giving buyers a taste of high-end without the hassle of add-ons. These homes were built around Sunset Park.

From a September 1969 San Jose Mercury—homes built and designed for the gods. Custom wallpaper you had to see to believe.

The 700 Series ("Young Americans"): Sunset goes cool

In September 1969, Sunset introduced a new idea: homes for younger buyers who didn’t want to compromise on style. These homes were slightly smaller, smartly priced, and full of design surprises. Built mostly along Vancouver Way, Hudson Way, and De Leon Way, these homes felt fresh and forward-thinking. The models were on Belfast Court, just across from the the 600 Series sales complex on Vancouver Way.

Site of the 700 Series (aka, the Young Americans) model complex in Sunset East.

Pricing history

1969: $23,950 +
1970: $23,950 +

1. The Licata - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Simple but never boring, the Licata blended efficient design with elegant detail.

The original Licata model today (with addition).

2. The Palermo - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms.

From a May 1970 Oakland Tribune ad—when the Palermo model went up for sale, and for a discount.

3. The Torino - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,419 sq. ft. Compact, clever, and endlessly livable. A floor plan designed for maximum flexibility.

The original Torino model today (with olive tree).

4. The Sorento - 3 bedrooms or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,436 sq. ft. The Sorento offered options galore—ideal for the couple planning to grow, or just dreaming of a hobby room with shag carpet and built-in bookshelves.

The original Sorento model today.

Brick by brick: a lasting legacy

Sunset Homes sold off its 600 Series and 700 Series models in 1970 and continued to build in Sunset East with new home series like Ripplebrook, Quietwood, and Wildwood. By 1974, the neighborhood was complete. All but one lonely lot on Vancouver Way—an empty patch that wouldn’t be filled until 1985.

Today, Sunset East remains a jewel box of design, nostalgia, and mid-century optimism. The brick signs still welcome curious souls, just as they did over 50 years ago. And while the world outside may have changed, inside these homes you’ll still find echoes of a bold vision—a vision that promised more space, more creativity, and a better way to live.

So next time you pass Holmes Street, glance over at those signs. Let your curiosity win. There’s a little magic behind those bricks—and it’s still shining through the sunset.

Related post: The story of Sunset Homes