Inside Sunset East: Livermore’s largest collection of Sunset Homes (1968–1974)

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.

Original Sunset East entrance sign in Livermore, featuring brickwork and oak tree emblem from the 1960s
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.

Exterior view of a 600 Series Sunset Homes model in Sunset East, Livermore—built in 1968, featuring distinctive mid-century styling and a spacious suburban layout.
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 distinct home series, each with its own personality and market focus. What emerged was a diverse yet cohesive neighborhood, tied together by thoughtful planning, bold architecture, and the familiar brick monument signs bearing the Sunset emblem.

Where is Sunset East?

The Sunset East neighborhood is just south of downtown Livermore.

Map showing Sunset East neighborhood in Livermore where Sunset’s Young Americans homes were built
Sunset East is the eastern expansion of Granada Village, and is one of the largest continuous tracts of Sunset Homes.

Home series built in Sunset East

  • 600 Series (1968–1970): Known for dramatic tri-levels, bold kitchen designs, and even 3-car garages.

  • Young Americans Series (1969–1970): Affordable, modern homes built with young buyers in mind.

  • Ivanhoe Villas (1970–1971): Compact townhouses that maximize privacy and space.

  • Wildwood Series (1970–1974): Larger homes designed for growing families.

  • Quietwood Series (1971–1973): Stylish and efficient mid-sized homes.

  • Ripplebrook Series (1971–1973): Cozy homes with charm and clever layouts.

Model home complexes in Sunset East

Sunset Homes didn’t just build houses—they built experiences. Multiple model complexes showcased the evolving vision of suburban living.

600 Series: Models on Vancouver Way, featuring the “Kitchen in the Round” and bold multi-level layouts. They were originally called Sunset East until the next series was released.

Young Americans Series: Located on Belfast Court, these homes offered youthful style at a smart price. For all intents and purposes, they were also called Sunset East until a distinction was necessary.

Ivanhoe Villas: Located on Cartier Drive, six floor plans of two-to four-bedroom townhouses.

Ripplebrook and Wildwood Series: Later additions, shown in complexes along Heidelberg Drive and Asti Court. Homes from these series were also built in the Three Fountains, Whispering Pines, Shadowbrook, and The Meadows neighborhoods.

Legacy

What made Sunset East unique is that buyers could select from any series and have it built anywhere in the tract. This flexibility fostered socioeconomic diversity and a more integrated community.

By 1974, Sunset East was mostly built out, with model homes shifting south to Shadowbrook and north to The Meadows. Just one lonely lot on Vancouver Way sat empty until 1985, next to the original sales center.

Sunset East today

Fifty years later, Sunset East remains one of Livermore’s best-preserved and most architecturally interesting neighborhoods. Walk the streets and you’ll see original floor plans with custom touches, beautiful mature trees, and thoughtful mid-century design choices still visible.

Landmarks include:

  • Original brick entry signs on Holmes and Vancouver

  • Homes with sunken living rooms, brick fireplaces, and “Kitchen in the Round” layouts

  • Vibrant community parks and nearby schools

Why Sunset East still matters

Sunset East wasn’t just big—it was visionary. It captured a moment in American homebuilding when creativity, optimism, and affordability intersected. Every home here tells part of the larger story of Sunsetown, the master-planned dream brought to life by Masud Mehran.

If Granada Village was the foundation, Sunset East was the breakthrough.

Related posts:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Inside The Meadows: Livermore’s 1973–1976 model homes & neighborhood legacy

Image
A historical tour of The Meadows, Livermore (1973–1976) Explore The Meadows in Livermore through vintage 1973–1976 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 Meadows, 1973–1976 In October 1973, Sunset Homes opened its newest neighborhood in Livermore: The Meadows . Built on a hilly site with panoramic views of Mount Diablo and the Livermore Valley, this project marked Sunset’s strategic pivot during a period of model and neighborhood transitions. Location of The Meadows neighborhood in Livermore, California. At the time, Sunset’s sales approach was refreshingly flexible: buyers could choose a home plan first, then decide which Sunset neighborhood to build it in. Two series were available—Wildwood, with models shown in Sunset East, and Quietwood, on display in Three Fountains. There was just one catch: the model homes were nowhere near The Meadows. ...
Read more

The story of Sunset Homes in Livermore

Image
Sunsetown, one of Livermore’s most iconic and expansive neighborhoods, is the lasting legacy of Masud Mehran and the Sunset Development Company. With more than 3,500 homes and over 12,000 residents, this master-planned community evolved over nearly two decades—from its modest beginnings in 1958 to its final homes in 1977. Mehran arrived in Livermore in 1951 with a $7,000 loan and a vision, building just five homes that would spark one of the city’s most ambitious developments. Map of Sunsetown in Livermore, California. A disjoined part of Sunsetown, The Meadows, off Portola Avenue. From ranchland to neighborhood By the late 1950s, Mehran was ready for a larger canvas. In 1958, he acquired 506 acres along Livermore’s southern and western edges, a tract of land with deep historical roots that he named Granada Village. The property had once been part of Rancho Valle de San Jose and was associated with early figures like Joseph F. Black and Dennis Bernal—the latter known for donating L...
Read more

Inside San Ramon Village: Dublin’s 1960–1962 model homes & neighborhood legacy

Image
A historical tour of San Ramon Village, Dublin (1960–1962) Explore San Ramon Village in Dublin through vintage 1960–1962 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 San Ramon Village, 1960–1962 Once upon a freeway crossroads—where the future highways to San Francisco and San Jose were still just lines on planning maps—a new vision for suburban living took root. In 1960, San Ramon Village became the very first subdivision in what would soon grow into the thriving city of Dublin, California. Developed by Volk-McLain, San Ramon Village wasn't just a housing tract—it was a beginning. This charming neighborhood marked the dawn of mass-produced homes in Dublin and laid the foundation for an entire master-planned community that would proudly share its name. Location of the San Ramon Village neighborhood in Dublin, California. A village begins On Labor Day...
Read more