Tri-Valley Tract Tales

A historical tour of Sunset's Ivanhoe Villas, Livermore (1970–1971) Explore Sunset Homes’ Ivanhoe Villas—a unique take on suburban living during the early 1970s. Located in Livermore’s prestigious Sunset East neighborhood, this community of stylish, semidetached townhomes offered buyers a fresh alternative to the standard single-family home. A curated archive for fans of 1960s–70s architecture, suburban design, and East Bay history. Welcome to Ivanhoe Villas, 1970–1971 Ivanhoe Villas debuted in late September 1970, as Sunset Homes began diversifying its designs to meet the needs of modern buyers. These 98 zero lot-line homes were a bold step forward: semidetached units with just one shared wall, offering the feel of a detached home but with less upkeep. Set within the desirable Sunset East neighborhood, Ivanhoe Villas catered to buyers seeking an affordable, low-maintenance lifestyle—without compromising on location or architectural style. Location of the Ivanhoe Villas commun...

A historical look of Sunset West, Livermore (1958–1968) The origins of Granada Village and the early chapters of Sunset Homes’ suburban vision. Welcome to Sunset West, 1958—1868 Before it was called Sunset West , this sprawling Livermore neighborhood was known as Granada Village —a bold experiment in planned suburban living that would shape the city for generations. Between 1958 and 1968, developer Masud Mehran and his company Sunset Homes introduced multiple distinct home series here, each with their own style, ambition, and audience. A Sunset Homes' Castillo Series home in Sunset West. From ranchland to neighborhood In 1958, Mehran purchased 506 acres on the southern and western edges of Livermore. This land had deep roots in California history. But Mehran had a new vision: not just houses, but a self-contained community with schools, shopping, greenbelts, and recreation. >The first Sunset Homes opened along Holmes Street in late 1958, marking the beginning of a neighborh...

A historical look at Pleasanton Meadows (1968–1985) A Pleasanton neighborhood built by Rousseau, Galli, H.C. Elliott, and Larwin.  A curated archive for fans of 1960s–70s architecture, suburban design, and East Bay history. Welcome to Pleasanton Meadows, 1968–1985 Pleasanton Meadows captures the spirit of Tri-Valley’s ambitious suburban boom. Developed from 1968 through the mid-1980s by multiple builders—including Oliver Rousseau Homes, Galli Homes, H.C. Elliott, and the Larwin Group—this 300-acre neighborhood delivered more than homes: it created a lifestyle. With 30 cul-de-sacs, a swim club and cabana, and a public elementary school and park, Pleasanton Meadows became an idealized version of the American Dream for East Bay families. Where is Pleasanton Meadows? Located off Santa Rita Road in northeast Pleasanton, the neighborhood was originally called Fairlands. At the time, it sat far enough from downtown that it landed in the Livermore school district—a point of contention...

A historical look of Three Fountains, Livermore (1971–1973) This small Livermore neighborhood packed in big design variety between 1971 and 1973. Welcome to Three Fountains, 1971–1973 Nestled in a quiet corner of Livermore, Three Fountains packed big design ambition into a small, thoughtfully planned neighborhood. Built between 1971 and 1973 by Sunset Homes, it featured an impressive range of architectural styles from their Wildwood, Ripplebrook, and Quietwood Series. But it wasn’t just the homes that stood out—it was the setting. With spacious 10,000+ sq. ft. lots, the neighborhood gave buyers room to breathe, grow gardens, and stretch out under Livermore’s big sky. From soaring rooflines to bold entryways and breezy indoor-outdoor layouts, each home was a subtle invitation to live large—without leaving suburbia. Often called "the planets," familiar street names in Three Fountains include Saturn Way, Orion Way, and Mars Road. A popular home in Three Fountains—the Magn...

A historical look of Whispering Pines, Livermore (1968–1973) With models from the 600, Quietwood, Ripplebrook, and Wildwood series, Whispering Pines captured the full breadth of Sunset’s offerings. Welcome to Whispering Pines, 1968—1973 Tucked into Livermore’s scenic south end, Whispering Pines emerged as one of Sunset Homes’ most ambitious and complete expressions of its suburban vision. Carved from the larger Sunset South tract and nestled against the rolling hills, Whispering Pines opened in 1968 with generous 10,000+ sq. ft. lots, tree-lined streets, and floor plans pulled from every corner of Sunset’s catalog—from the charming 600 Series to the expansive, architecturally expressive Wildwood and Quietwood homes. Familiar streets like Lomitas Avenue, Stonebridge Road, and Lexington Way came to define the neighborhood’s graceful sprawl. Construction began in the northern section in 1968, taking full advantage of the elevated terrain and vineyard views. The southern half followed...

A historical tour of The Orchards, San Ramon (1968–1972) Explore The Orchards in San Ramon through vintage 1968–1972 newspaper ads and see what the original model homes look like today. A curated archive for fans of 1960s–70s architecture, suburban design, and East Bay history. Welcome to The Orchards, 1968–1972 From 1968 to 1972, a quiet walnut orchard in south San Ramon transformed into a bold showcase of suburban innovation. Developer Tom Gentry didn’t just build houses—he crafted experiences, blending old-world charm with forward-thinking features that captured imaginations. With Spanish-inspired courtyards, Grecian-style baths, and built-in central vacuums, The Orchards wasn’t just a neighborhood—it was a glimpse into the future of California living. Location of the The Orchards neighborhood in San Ramon, California. After the conclusion of Gentry's earlier development, Oak Creek in 1968, Gentry launched The Orchards in the adjacent parcel. Some of his best innovations were ...

A historical look of Sunset East, Livermore (1968–1974) Home to multiple series—including the 600, Young Americans, Ripplebrook, Quietwood, and Wildwood—Sunset East is a living catalog of Sunset Homes’ evolving suburban vision.  A curated archive for fans of 1960s–70s architecture, suburban design, and East Bay history. A brick monument welcomes you to Sunset East, complete with the original Sunset Homes emblem. A neighborhood designed for growth Opened in 1968, Sunset East was Sunset Development’s most ambitious neighborhood—designed not just as another phase of Granada Village (now Sunset West ), but as a next-generation community for Livermore’s booming population. It represented the shift from simple suburban expansion to master-planned neighborhood building. A fabulous example of a 600 Series home—part of the first wave of construction in Sunset East, built in 1968. Over six years, Sunset Homes built more than 1,000 homes across Sunset East, launching no fewer than five ...

A historical tour of the Sunset's Young Americans Series, Livermore (1969–1970) Explore Sunset’s Young Americans Series through vintage 1969–1970 newspaper ads and see what the original model homes look like today. Built in Sunset East, the Young Americans homes were designed for younger buyers seeking smart and stylish designs—a curated archive for fans of 1960s–70s architecture, suburban design, and East Bay history. Welcome to the Young Americans Series, 1969–1970 In September 1969, Sunset Homes launched a bold new idea: homes built specifically for younger buyers who didn’t want to compromise on style or quality. These new homes—part of what would become known as the Young Americans Series —were smartly priced, a little smaller than their predecessors, but full of thoughtful design and forward-thinking flair. From a February 1970 Argus ad—Masud Mehran’s “Homes for Young Americans” made their debut in Sunset East. The idea struck a chord. Sunset’s ads promised “style for youn...

In the booming post-war years of the 1960s and 1970s, the Tri-Valley area embraced a unique housing innovation: the expandable home. Designed to grow with families, these flexible homes offered affordable initial pricing with the option to add bedrooms and living spaces later. This clever concept met the needs of young buyers eager to start their homeownership journey without sacrificing future space or comfort. What are expandable homes? Expandable homes were built with unfinished areas—often an upper floor or basement—that could be completed as families expanded or budgets allowed. This modular approach allowed buyers to purchase a smaller, more affordable home upfront, then customize and enlarge it over time. A 1968 bonus room in action—finished as a lively games room, showing the flexibility of expandable home design. Builders highlighted models like the “Room Maker,” which debuted in the late 1960s in Dublin. With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms initially, it featured an unfinished ...