Oak-Studded Hillside

Majestic coast live oaks stand atop a hillside that offers stunning coastal and ocean views. 

Out in the sun, a mix of bold orange-blooming aloes, blue agaves and other succulent beauties cascade down the slope, providing just the right contrast to pops of saturated purples, yellows and oranges provided by a generous mix of native sage and Mediterranean plants.

Beneath the oaks, native island alum root, island snapdragon and a host of casual, shade-loving plants surround a tranquil flagstone patio, where a tiered fountain provides soothing, meditative sound.

New hardscape solved challenges presented by the steep slope.

To help prevent erosion, we designed the patio to be permeable: the flagstones were loosely placed and grouted with gravel to capture rainwater sheeting off the roof, rather than letting rainwater rush down the hill.

To provide access from the street to the front door – and to add a beautiful structural element – we carved an impressive stone stairway into the hillside and lined it with Santa Barbara sandstone boulders.