Tri-Valley Tract Tales

A historical tour of Sunny Glen, San Ramon (1963–1967) Explore Sunny Glen in San Ramon through vintage 1963–1967 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 Sunny Glen, 1963–1967 Before the term "active adult community" had made it onto brochures, Sunny Glen was quietly making history as San Ramon’s first over-50 neighborhood. Built by Volk-McLain, the community opened with fanfare on June 30, 1963, drawing an estimated 2,000 families to its grand opening celebration. Located at the base of the rolling hills and within walking distance of a country club and riding stables, Sunny Glen promised a lifestyle that was equal parts peaceful and perk-filled—AstroTurf lawns optional. Location of the Sunny Glen neighborhood in San Ramon, California. A “Carefree World” by design Sunny Glen was originally conceived under the name Carefree World —a title...

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. ...

A historical tour of Heritage Valley, Pleasanton (1975–1976) Explore Heritage Valley in Pleasanton through vintage 1975–1976 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 Heritage Valley, 1975–1976 Between 1975 and 1976, Morrison Homes unveiled Heritage Valley, a 105-home neighborhood tucked into the rolling charm of Pleasanton, California. It wasn’t just another development—it was part of a grander vision for a town resisting the rush of urban sprawl. Location of the Heritage Valley neighborhood in Pleasanton, California. Builders of place and personality If Shapell Homes gave San Ramon its suburban soul, and Sunset Homes put Livermore on the residential map, Morrison Homes was Pleasanton’s architect of modern living. Their handprints are all over town—from the sweeping Pleasanton Valley and Valley Trails to the tucked-away cul-de-sacs that still echo wit...

A historical tour of Twin Creeks South, San Ramon (1977–1980) Explore Twin Creeks South in San Ramon through vintage 1977–1980 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 Twin Creeks South, 1977–1980 In the late 1970s, San Ramon was transforming. What had once been rolling ranchlands and quiet hillsides was evolving into a vibrant suburban community. At the heart of this transformation was developer Carl Damé, whose vision for Twin Creeks had begun more than a decade earlier. Originally launched in 1969, the Twin Creeks neighborhood started as a modest, somewhat isolated suburban outpost—“the middle of nowhere” to many. Yet its promise was clear: a new way of living amidst the green hills of the San Ramon Valley. By the time Twin Creeks South broke ground between 1977 and 1980, it was the largest and most ambitious phase of this ongoing project with n...