History

The dream for sale

Between 1960 and 1980, the Tri-Valley transformed from rural edge towns into booming suburbs. Builders like Sunset Homes and Volk-McLain used floor plans, flyers, and full-page ads to sell not just houses—but entire lifestyles. This page explores how local growth, marketing, and shifting social values turned open land into tightly planned neighborhoods.

Last walnut orchard in San Ramon

Livermore's old airport

San Ramon Village

Sunset Homes in Livermore

Popular posts from this blog

San Ramon Village: Volk-McLain's grand blueprint that gave us two cities

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Before there were bustling freeways, shopping centers, or city limits, there were just fields—miles of open ranchland and quiet orchards stretching across the San Ramon Valley. Up until 1960, the areas we now call Dublin and San Ramon were rural and unincorporated, dotted with cattle, orchards, and little else. That all changed when a pair of Los Angeles developers—Kenneth Q. Volk and Robert B. McLain—arrived with bold blueprints and an even bolder vision: to transform this pastoral valley into a $300 million master-planned community called San Ramon Village. From ranches to a model city The name “San Ramon Village” wasn’t chosen at random—it honored the area’s deep roots, particularly Rancho San Ramon, a 20,000-acre Mexican land grant awarded to José María Amador in 1834. Over time, Amador sold pieces of his land, including large portions to Leo Norris and James Witt Dougherty. These sprawling ranches, along with adjoining land from Rancho Santa Rita, formed the patchwork that woul...
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Kitchens in the round, style all around: Sunset’s Quietwood series (1971—1973)

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On November 21, 1971, Sunset Homes unveiled a new vision for suburban living with the debut of the Quietwood series—a refreshingly modern lineup of homes designed for mid-level buyers with an eye for comfort, efficiency, and flair. Launched in Livermore’s Three Fountains neighborhood, Quietwood marked a vibrant next step following Sunset’s entry-level Ripplebrook and high-end Wildwood series. A neighborhood that gave you space to breathe Set against a backdrop of minimum 10,000 sq. ft. lots, the Three Fountains neighborhood offered something more than just another subdivision—it was a place where families could stretch out, settle in, and stay awhile. The model complex a 722 Alden Lane opened to wide-eyed buyers who found four homes decked out in bold finishes and colorful details—each a reflection of Sunset’s evolving design sensibility. Buyers could also build a Quietwood home in Whispering Pines or Sunset East , making the series a flexible and popular option across several d...
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Silvergate: how Tom Gentry gave Dublin a name

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Tucked among the oak-studded hills of Dublin, California, the quiet streets of Silvergate might seem like just another 1960s neighborhood—but this was no ordinary subdivision. This is where Dublin truly got its name. From an August 1964 Oakland Tribune ad —the sun had never been so excited to see the name "Dublin" used in print. Early history: before Dublin had a name The story begins long before tract homes and cul-de-sacs. In 1834, José María Amador received a vast Mexican land grant called Rancho San Ramón . For decades, this expanse of open hills and grassland stretched across what would eventually become parts of two counties—Contra Costa and Alameda. After California gained statehood, Contra Costa County was formed and originally included the territory of today’s Alameda County. In 1852, Leo Norris bought 10,000 acres of Rancho San Ramón from Amador. Just one year later, Alameda County was carved out, and the new county line sliced right through Amador’s rancho. Th...
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