A few years ago, I bought a place in Sunset Cliffs for the same reason most people buy a place in Sunset Cliffs: I saw the view and completely lost my ability to make rational financial decisions.
The house overlooked the ocean from what felt like every possible angle. The sunsets looked so absurdly beautiful that they seemed computer-generated, and I convinced myself that everything else could be figured out later.
As it turned out, “everything else” included a backyard that appeared to have been maintained according to a highly sophisticated strategy known as “ignore it and hope for the best.”
There was patchy ice plant scattered across the property, cracked hardscape running in random directions, drainage that sent water toward the house instead of away from it, and several plants that were either dead or had somehow evolved beyond my understanding.
I figured fixing it would be simple. Throw in some attractive plants, lay down a little stone, hire somebody who knew what they were doing, and turn the place into something that looked like the courtyard of a luxury resort.
I was smart. I had money. I had absolutely no idea what I was about to learn about coastal landscaping.
My First Mistake
The first guy came recommended by a neighbor.
“He does landscaping,” the neighbor told me, which sounded convincing enough at the time.
The man showed up, walked the property, nodded thoughtfully, and confidently explained what needed to happen. A few weeks later, fresh plants were installed, decorative boulders appeared, and new pavers tied everything together.
For about two months, I was thrilled.
Then the problems started.
The bougainvillea along the fence line got shredded by salt spray. Ornamental grasses turned brown and crispy. Succulents that were supposedly impossible to kill somehow managed to rot because water kept pooling near the foundation every time it rained.
When I asked what happened, the solution was simply to replace the dead plants with different plants.
What nobody addressed was the fact that the original selections weren’t designed for a coastal bluff environment in the first place. They were the kind of plants that work perfectly well inland, where salt air, constant wind exposure, and coastal soil conditions aren’t trying to murder them every day.
There was no discussion about drainage. No discussion about salt-tolerant species. No discussion about site conditions.
I paid the bill, thanked him for his efforts, and started searching for someone else.
My Second Mistake
This time I hired a real landscaping company.
They had trucks. They had crews. They had a website filled with beautiful photographs of completed projects. Everything felt much more professional.
They developed a design that looked fantastic on paper. There were new planting areas, expanded hardscape, a patio extension, and a fire feature that immediately had me imagining sunset cocktails with friends.
The finished product genuinely looked great.
For about six months.
Then the pavers on one slope started shifting. The drainage system handled small storms reasonably well, but the first substantial rainfall exposed weaknesses that surface grading alone couldn’t solve.
A retaining wall on the lower portion of the property began showing cracks. Nothing catastrophic, but enough to tell me something wasn’t right.
What I eventually learned was that the company had done perfectly respectable landscaping work. The problem was that Sunset Cliffs isn’t a perfectly respectable landscaping environment.
Between the salt exposure, wind loads, erosion concerns, bluff conditions, and regulatory considerations that can accompany coastal properties, the site demanded a deeper level of analysis than a standard landscaping project.
Once again, I found myself paying for work that looked right but wasn’t built specifically for where it was built.
The Difference Was Obvious Immediately
By the time I started looking for hire number three, I had become significantly less optimistic and significantly more expensive to impress.
This time, I searched specifically for a landscape architect.
The difference became obvious during the first meeting.
The handyman had started planting. The landscaper had started designing. The architect started asking questions.
Lots of questions.
They wanted soil information. They wanted drainage information. They wanted to understand wind patterns, salt exposure, slope conditions, and how water moved across the property during heavy storms.
They reviewed potential regulatory considerations associated with coastal-zone properties and examined how future improvements could affect both aesthetics and long-term performance.
Only after all of that did they begin discussing design.
The resulting plan reflected the site itself rather than some generic template. Salt-tolerant native and Mediterranean plants were selected specifically for the property’s microclimate. Drainage systems were engineered to handle actual coastal storm conditions. Hardscape materials were chosen with long-term salt exposure in mind.
Even the retaining solution was designed around the specific soil conditions present on the slope.
This was the first time I encountered landscape construction San Diego homeowners with coastal properties actually need. Everything was tailored to the location instead of being adapted from an inland design philosophy.
The firm behind the project was Torrey Pines Landscape Company, and for the first time since buying the house, I felt like someone was solving the actual problem instead of addressing symptoms.
The project took longer than either of the previous attempts.
It also cost less than the first two attempts combined because nothing had to be redone afterward.
What Sunset Cliffs Taught Me
The experience taught me something I probably should have understood from the beginning.
Landscaping a coastal property isn’t necessarily harder than landscaping anywhere else. It’s simply a different discipline.
The handyman wasn’t incompetent. The landscaping company wasn’t incompetent either.
They just didn’t know what they didn’t know.
The architect approached the site differently from the beginning. Soil, drainage, wind, salt exposure, slope stability, and regulatory constraints were all evaluated before a single plant went into the ground.
That upfront work was what the first two attempts skipped.
It was also what made the third attempt successful.
Sunset Cliffs may be one of the most beautiful places in San Diego to own property, but it doesn’t forgive shortcuts. Looking back, this is one area where my usual strategy of figuring things out as I went along cost me considerably more than doing things correctly the first time.
Expensive Practice
Today the backyard finally looks like it belongs to the house, and the house finally looks like it belongs to the cliff.
I’m not going to pretend I enjoyed paying three times for essentially the same project, but the lesson turned out to be valuable. When a site is complicated, the person you hire needs to understand the site before they start working on it.
Welcome back to my blog, rockers and rockettes! I apologize for the rather on-the-nose title, but I cycled through about 15 different rock-related puns before I decided to just keep things simple.
Those who know me know that I’ve come to find a new love for nature in my advancing age. On any given day, you’re likely to find me surfing, hiking, skiing, or…bird watching. That last one may come as a surprise but it’s difficult to explain how exciting it is to capture a new bird species on film.
Even my spare time at home is often spent enjoying the gorgeous southern California weather in my yard. As a lifelong cityslicker, a yard is a novel thing. Nothing beats watching the sun slowly disappear over the western horizon with a warm mug of tea in your hand.
Recently, however, I’ve once again found myself wanting *more*. Rather than more money or the usual avenues for avarice, however, I found myself wanting a better outdoor space to spend my time.
My evening soujorns in my yard saw me imagining an expansive backyard retreat rather than a scraggly patch of grass. Running water, a nice fireplace, and maybe a game area to host my buddies all sounded rad.
If my career taught me anything, it was that dreams shouldn’t stay dreams. You have to put in the work to make them reality! With that in mind, I started asking around for a solid landscape contractor that could put my scattershot ideas together into a cohesive design.
Soon enough, all signals began pointing to the same answer: Torrey Pines Landscape Company. I took a look at some of their project pages and something immediately shouted “yes” inside me.
The company has designed dozens of custom fire and landscape water features that could transform our semi arid environs to a near-tropical oasis. The Torrey Pines team also seemed uncannily talented at matching their floral plantings with any architectural design.
Reading on about the company’s design process, it also became apparent that they genuinely cared about conservation as well as aesthetics. The team prides themselves on creating waterwise landscapes to preserve our parched resources. Even for seemingly water-intensive landscapes, the team is able to use irrigation methods that significantly reduce waste.
With my mind racing about the dozens of bird species I may be able to attract to my private nature reserve, I called and set up an appointment immediately. The person on the phone was barely able to keep up with my stream of consciousness ideas. They assured me that their team of landscape architects would be able to handle it, however.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast looking to spruce up your outdoor spaces, you owe it to yourself to give Torrey Pines Landscape Company a call. Their intricate designs can turn your yard into anything from an extended entertaining space to your own little botanical garden. Call today!
Hey there, rockers! Normally you’d start the New Year with some New Year’s resolutions, but I thought I’d change it up. Instead of New Year’s resolutions, let’s talk about New Year’s renovations! Over the holidays I felt like my backyard was missing a bit of spice. The backyard is where I spend time with my family and pals to relax in the incredible South California weather.
With my music blasting and a few cold ones, I decided that my new project would be an incredible outdoor kitchen with pizzazz, perfect for family get-togethers or band reunions.
It’s great having company around, but too often, this means my wife or I have to pause a conversation to grab food or drinks from the kitchen. So, picture this: a kitchen where you can unleash your inner grill master, right in the middle of the party. Or, channel your inner bartender and shake up a perfectly mixed drink for your guests. It’s no wonder outdoor kitchens are becoming so popular. I could never pass up the opportunity to entertain guests while grooving under the sun.
Before I dove headfirst into the shenanigans, I drew my ideal layout. A grill is a no-brainer—there would be no point in having a separate one since we’re going all-in with this. An oven is also a staple, but I stepped it up and decided to add a wood-fired oven pizza because you never know when you will crave that perfect slice (a great hangover cure!).
A drink cooler is perfect to keep the alcohol flowing, and a sink to help with any unexpected messes. Last but not least, for rain or shine, I knew I had to revamp the patio to make it fit for the best of wining and dining with some shade from the sun and some shielding from any rain.
While I would love to have you believe I did this whole project by myself, and without breaking a sweat, the heavy lifting was done by my trusted friends at Torrey Pines San Diego Landscape Company. The folks at Torrey Pines are an incredible group of hardworking and detail-oriented landscapers. They’ve helped me before with similar projects, and with their expertise, this project was completed quickly, and with quality.
Did the outdoor kitchen live up to my expectations? Honestly, no—it surpassed them. Everything turned out exactly as I had envisioned it in my head. I can’t sing praises about these guys enough! If you decide to do any landscaping this year, don’t hesitate to call the professionals to design and build your dream outdoor space. The architects and contractors clearly understood my preferences and needs and completed a backyard landscape remodel with excellent communication and attention to detail, from beginning to end.
My experience with my new outdoor kitchen has been filled with joy. I didn’t have to hop in and out of conversations just to get hotdogs and hamburgers off the grill. The pizza oven was the talk of the night. The only problem with this of my new, fully-equipped outdoor kitchen is that I’ve started cooking a lot more than usual. Woe is me!
Hello and welcome back to the rockin’ retirement blog! Well, that’s a bit of a lame name – I’m still workshopping it. Anywho, it’s been a while!
Since the last update, I’ve gone on yet another home renovation spree, this time targeting the backyard of my little La Jolla rental property. The home doesn’t have a ton of room, which means it’s perfect for a little tropical-themed getaway where the cityscape can disappear after entering the yard.
I know from experience it’s really easy to go too far with a jungle theme, so I enlisted the help of a landscaping company with some experience in creating similar arrangements. Here in La Jolla, the best company around for this kind of work by a fair mile is Torrey Pines Landscape Company.
At this point, TPLC should need no introduction – I’ve mentioned them on the blog before, and they have won many awards for their work here in San Diego. Their designs aren’t all that’s top-notch – the team has some insane customer service skills as well, as evidenced by their customer reviews. Here, check out a couple:
We had Torrey Pines Landscape completely renovate our “tired” little backyard into an “outdoor paradise” for us, with outdoor built-in grill area, fire pit, new sprinkler system complete with French drains, outdoor lighting, bushes, plants, etc. A few years later we had them put in a succulent garden in the front area of our home. Recently, we were working on our own backyard project and hit/broke a sprinkler line and called TPL for help with it.
Regarding the backyard project: We had a specific deadline as we were planning to use it for a wedding reception. Harry and his landscape professionals assisted GREATLY with plant selection and design. TPL went above and beyond by completing this major project on time, and were friendly, professional, and respectful at all times. Regarding the succulent garden: It turned out beautiful and we have been very happy with it. Regarding the sprinkle line repair: We called TPL for a reference or to see if they would be able to schedule a repair. They sent Ian out within 3 days, who repaired it within an hour and they did not charge us for the repair. WOW. We were not expecting that, but this is the kind of company TPL is. They truly care about their customers. We would highly recommend them to anyone wanting a quality landscape project managed by a very professional crew.
I can’t wait to see what they can do with the limited space available in my rental property – no doubt they’re going to blow my mind yet again. If your La Jolla property needs a landscape redesign, do yourself a favor and get in touch with Torrey Pines Landscape Company:
Hey, everyone! Just wanted to give y’all a quick update on what I’ve been up to as of late. I know it’s been a while since I posted here, but I’m retired and enjoying myself, OK? You get this stuff for free, so stop complaining!
Anyway, you all know how I get sudden flashes of inspiration when I find new things to throw myself into headlong. Not so long ago it was sailing, and while I still enjoy going out on the boat, the lady muse is a fickle creature and has turned my attention to something else.
That something else is…a little strange, admittedly. I was recently walking through the local botanical gardens and it just so happened to coincide with the opening of their newest exhibit: the Japanese stone garden, or karesansui.
When I happened upon the garden, I was utterly captivated. I watched the caretaker make flowing paths in the rock, creating a perfectly level design that seemed to emulate the ebb and flow of life.
I had to have it.
Problem was, my yard was already filled with stuff! Hardscapes and landscaping would need to be removed or altered completely in order to accommodate the new zen garden I would be adding, and I simply did not have the tools to do it myself.
Luckily, my friends over at Torrey Pines Landscaping are world famous for their wide-ranging portfolio for landscape construction in San Diego, so I gave them a quick call and explained the situation to them. Bemused but accommodating, they agreed to help me clear the yard in preparation for the new and unusual addition.
Torrey Pines Landscaping, one of the finest local firms I have the pleasure of working with, is well known for their thoroughness, professionalism, and quality of work. If you don’t believe me, just scope out a couple of their reviews:
Torrey Pines Landscape Company Was highly recommended to us.
If you want the best this is the company to use.
When we met the owner Harry, we immediately felt very comfortable working with him and his team.
He is extremely knowledgeable, many years of experience, passionate and has a great personality. We had a lot of fun working with him. His team is top-notch. Lei, his Architectural designer and John, his Supervisor were excellent.
Always available, very professional, and dedicated.
It was impressive to watch how hard and efficient his crews worked. They were always accommodating and helpful.
Harry and his team have high standards and want the customer to be happy.
We at all times were welcome to share in choices and decisions. So ultimately, we now love our new courtyard, hardscape, landscape and driveway.
We enjoyed the journey and are thrilled with the results. It filled our expectations and more. – Melane L.
We had a fantastic experience working with Torrey Pines Landscaping. Harry and his entire crew were wonderful to work with. They designed a beautiful and functional front yard for our family that fit our lifestyle and compliments our home. They really went above and beyond with every detail and the quality of their work. Our yard stands out now and truly beautifies our home. – Christine B.
In preparation for the work to be done, I have already begun practicing my stone gardening by buying a bonsai tree featuring a mini stone landscape. While I’m not especially good at it yet, hours fly by without me even noticing.
If you’re like me and need to make some major changes in your yard, don’t hesitate getting in contact with Torrey Pines Landscaping – they’ll transform your yard into something unrecognizably beautiful.
I’ve got so much pent up energy and nowhere to go. Unfortunately, backyard concerts are out of the question as we all maintain social distancing to stay safe from the pandemic. I decided that it would be best to focus my energy on doing something productive that would allow me to get outside but still stay in a safe space.
A wide range of homeowners are building sheds, personal gyms, or home offices within their backyard. People around the world need to abide by work from home protocol and are now ready to set up a well-designed home office in their premises. In addition, people are looking for personal gyms in their backyards in order to maintain social distancing without compromising their health. Detached and self-contained spaces provide a practical and affordable solution. Companies that sell different backyard services and products started gaining more popularity in the United States.
The modern shed suppliers are even ready to design premium arrangements depending upon the unique needs of the buyers. You can find a variety of materials to design these structures. Price ranges vary with size and other options.
That said, I haven’t been thinking about building an office or gym in my backyard. What I really wanted was a landscape overhaul. If you’ve got the same idea on your mind, I highly recommend this resource on landscaping mistakes and solutions. Composting is one of the most important and nourishing practices you can do to maintain a beautiful and healthy backyard. When it comes to adding plants, consider the climate of where you live, and give yourself a realistic estimate of how much time you can spend on a weekly basis to maintain. Many people don’t understand how much goes into the architecture of outdoor living spaces. It doesn’t just happen overnight, and you can’t simply dig a hole, fit it with a plant, and leave it there. It needs to be fertilized, watered and nourished on a regular basis.
Now I’m more of a breaker than a builder. I’d rather tear things down than design and build something new. That’s why I did my research and found a Coronado company that offers professional landscape design and build services. Torrey Pines Landscape Company has been around for decades. If you check out their portfolio on their website, you will be blown away like I was. The company takes a site from any old backyard and transforms it into an oasis. They have the most innovative and creative designs—it’s pretty spectacular.
If you’re like me, I would leave a landscaping overhaul to the professionals. They have decades of craftsmanship and expertise in designing and bringing their clients’ dreams into the perfect Del Mar Landscape. The entire process requires a ton of communication, and the landscapers with the best reputations will be the ones who are always keeping their clients in the loop. They will also need to check out the site to take measurements and photographs so as to plan and design accordingly. Masonry, planting, hardscape, and softscape are just a few of the different facets of one entire landscaping project.
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