Tri-Valley Tract Tales

A historical tour of Sunset's Castillos Series, Livermore (1965–1968) Explore Sunset's Castillos Series in Livermore through vintage 1965–1968 newspaper ads and see what the original model homes look like today.  Built in Sunset West (Granada Village), the Castillos Series homes were castles for modern lords, ladies, and anyone in between.  A curated archive for fans of 1960s–70s architecture, suburban design, and East Bay history. Welcome to the Castillos Series, 1965–1968 Have you ever wandered through a neighborhood and felt like every home had its own little secret? That’s Granada Village —or as it’s better known today, Sunset West . With whimsical “Castillo” model names, bold design choices, and even a dedicated sales pavilion, this 1960s neighborhood turned suburban living into something closer to stagecraft. In June 1965, Sunset Homes introduced its fourth series of homes in Granada Village—arguably its most imaginative to date. Having built in the area since 1958, Su...

A historical tour of Walnut Hills, San Ramon (1966–1972) Explore Walnut Hills in San Ramon through vintage 1966–1972 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 Walnut Hills, 1966–1972 Set in the heart of an old walnut orchard, Walnut Hills opened in early 1966 with a marketing pitch no suburban buyer could resist: all the free walnuts you could ever want—right from your backyard. Developed by Brown & Kauffmann, the subdivision promised about 200 homes shaded by towering walnut trees and wrapped in country-club charm. Location of the Walnut Hills neighborhood in San Ramon, California. Living among giants Located in San Ramon’s county club neighborhood, Walnut Hills wasn’t just another subdivision—it was a lifestyle. Prices started at $26,950, a step above nearby tracts, but buyers gained eligibility for membership in the nearby San Ramon Country Clu...

Explore how San Ramon's last walnut orchard gave rise to iconic neighborhoods like Walnut Hills, The Orchards, and Country Club Park. The final orchard in a changing valley Up until the mid 1960s, the San Ramon Valley was primarily known for its ranches and farms, but progress was moving at an unparalleled rate. Starting in the south San Ramon area, tract homes were replacing ranches and farms on a grand scale. By 1963, just one old walnut orchard remained. The owner of the orchard, Volk-McLain, the developer of the massive San Ramon Village that was urbanizing the area, saw the orchard as an opportunity to experiment. Site of the last walnut orchard in south San Ramon, circa 1961. Old-growth orchard planted about 1940; north orchard planted about 1955. V olk-McLain’s orchard vision: building homes among walnut trees in San Ramon Instead of cutting down all the trees and building more cookie-cutter houses, Volk-McLain imagined a neighborhood with the charm and character that o...

As an infill project within Pleasanton’s larger Del Prado neighborhood, Standard-Pacific Corporation built a collection of 3- and 4-bedroom homes under the name Easy Street . Though technically part of Del Prado, Standard-Pacific never used the name to market the development—likely because Del Prado was already synonymous with founding builders Ditz-Crane and Mackay, and had a strong local reputation. Location of the Del Prado neighborhood in Pleasanton, California. As an in-fill development, Easy Street was built between Mackay and Ditz-Crane homes. From Easy Street to Pleasant Meadows The first preview opening came in June 1972, with four model homes on Hansen Drive near Hopyard Road. That year, 19 homes were built and sold before Pleasanton’s housing moratorium took effect—an early success. From a July 1974 Oakland Tribune ad—Easy Street in name only—bold rooflines and a Hansen Drive location kept things interesting. A second phase followed in late 1973, with 37 additional hom...