A Paver-and-Turf Backyard Rebuild in Mira Mesa
Project Gallery
Finished backyard patio featuring interlocking pavers laid in a running/bond pattern with a dining table, umbrella, and covered grill. New artificial turf strip runs along a vinyl fence and planter with existing house exterior visible, suggesting a completed outdoor living area.
Finished interlocking paver patio and connecting walkway with a pergola and planted beds; low-profile path lights and outdoor dining furniture are in place. Steps from the house lead down to the patio area and the site shows completed landscaping with decomposed granite planting zones and ornamental plants.
Backyard site shows an existing small paver patio with outdoor furniture and an umbrella adjacent to a patchy natural lawn. Ladders, tools and boxed materials are staged near the house indicating site mobilization prior to landscape or turf installation.
Backyard showing an installed interlocking paver patio and curved paver walkway leading to a dining/seating area. Mulched planting beds with new plants and a small natural grass lawn are visible, along with low path lighting and a vinyl privacy fence; the project appears fully installed and staged.
Residential backyard with a recently installed interlocking paver patio and curved walkway laid in a modular/ashlar pattern with a darker border. Planting beds with starter plants and bare mulch/dirt along with low-voltage path lighting surround the paved area, indicating a finished hardscape awaiting final softscape growth.
Finished interlocking paver patio with an outdoor dining set and umbrella adjacent to newly installed synthetic turf. A curved planting bed with exposed soil/decomposed granite and a vinyl fence with a storage shed define the residential backyard space.
Project Snapshot
Project Story
Overview
Traded a tired lawn and undersized concrete pad for an interlocking paver patio, two artificial-turf zones, and a pergola over the new dining area. The crew ran 145 linear feet of fresh drainage out through a new curb core-out, moved the irrigation valves to the planting edges, and finished the planting beds in decomposed granite. The cul-de-sac yard now sheds water cleanly and reads as one cohesive space.
The new layout makes the yard easy to use.
The Challenge
- Drought-stressed lawn with bare patches across the turf footprint, leaving the household an outdoor space that collected dirt and sat unused.
- Inadequate drainage routed runoff toward the structure rather than the yard perimeter — addressed here with about 145 lf of new drain line including a curb core-out.
- The irrigation system tied the hose bib into the same lines as the spray valves, so running one affected the other; relocated in this scope with an anti-siphon pressure setup.
What Changed
How INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Helped
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Before & After
Backyard site photo showing a small paver patio and a paver walkway adjacent to a single-story house, with patchy natural grass across the yard. A crew member on a ladder and tools staged near the house indicate preparatory work and mobilization for landscape or exterior work.
Backyard showing an installed interlocking paver patio and curved paver walkway leading to a dining/seating area. Mulched planting beds with new plants and a small natural grass lawn are visible, along with low path lighting and a vinyl privacy fence; the project appears fully installed and staged.
Design & Build
The Plan
Paver patio and curved walkway designed in a multi-size modular/ashlar pattern with a contrasting darker border; photos confirm the pattern and border detail.
Two artificial turf lawn areas framed by curved paver edges and mulched planting beds for clean transitions.
Drainage system expanded to ~145 linear feet of PVC pipe, with trenching and a curb core-out added as a scope adjustment to provide a proper outlet at the street slope requirements.
Irrigation valves relocated to the planting area and replaced with anti-siphon pressure regulated valves; hose bib line segregated from irrigation supply on-site.
Pergola with gate installed over the patio zone, with electrical conduit run from the panel to support future lighting or outlets in that area.
Decomposed granite used in planting beds to reduce water demand and define bed edges adjacent to the turf and paver areas.
See the 2D plan drawing
The Build
Site Prep and Coordination
A third-party fence contractor completed perimeter fencing first, which allowed the hardscape crew to begin without conflict. Dig Alert verification, area marking, existing conditions documentation, and re-measurement were all completed at the pre-install walk before any excavation started.
Demo and Drainage
Demolition of existing lawn and base material began the same day as the demo checklist sign-off. Crews excavated trenches across the backyard for PVC drainage pipe, installed approximately 145 linear feet of drain line, and completed the curb core-out to the street. A plate compactor and mini skid steer were used for subgrade work.
Base and Paver Install
Crushed aggregate base was delivered by pallet and screeded to grade. Interlocking pavers were set in the multi-size ashlar pattern with a darker border, forming the patio field and curved walkway. Sand base was prepped for the turf areas simultaneously.
Turf, Irrigation, and Pergola
Artificial turf was installed in two lawn areas and broomed to raise pile. Irrigation valves were relocated and new anti-siphon pressure regulated valves were set in the planting zone. The hose bib supply was separated from the irrigation line during this phase. The pergola and gate were installed and electrical conduit was run from the panel.
Planting and Final Checks
Decomposed granite was placed in the planting beds and edged cleanly against the pavers and turf. Mulch was applied around plantings. The final walk verified turf seam technique and paver screed clearance. Completion photos and video were captured at sign-off.
Investment
What would a similar project cost in San Diego?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a paver patio with artificial turf cost in Mira Mesa, San Diego?
A project like this one in Mira Mesa, combining an interlocking paver patio, curved walkway, two artificial turf areas, drainage, a pergola, and irrigation work, typically runs $13,000 to $15,000 in the 92126 area. Drainage scope and structure installation are the biggest cost variables. This project's final investment landed in that range.
Do I need a permit for a paver patio and drainage work in San Diego?
A standard residential paver patio does not require a permit in San Diego. Drainage work that connects to the public curb, as this project required with a curb core-out, may need city coordination. Retaining walls over 3 feet require a permit per San Diego Municipal Code. No permit-required walls were part of this project's documented scope.
Can an HOA block artificial turf in California?
No. Under California Civil Code Section 4735, HOAs cannot prohibit artificial turf or synthetic grass surfaces. An HOA may set reasonable quality standards on color, pile height, or seam appearance, but cannot enforce a blanket ban. As of this writing, the City of San Diego has not enacted any restriction on residential artificial turf.
What kind of drainage is needed under a paver patio in San Diego?
Paver patios must slope to drain away from the house at a minimum of 6 inches of fall in the first 10 feet. On this Mira Mesa project, the original 75-foot drain system expanded to approximately 145 linear feet when grading confirmed water needed a longer run to reach a curb outlet. A curb core-out was added so water exits at the street and stops pooling on the property.
How long does a backyard paver and turf installation take in San Diego?
This Mira Mesa project took approximately 8 weeks from install start to final walk-through. Coordination with a third-party fence contractor added scheduling time before excavation could begin. Most residential paver and turf projects in San Diego run 4 to 8 weeks depending on scope and site conditions.
How does artificial turf hold up to heavy rain in San Diego?
Properly installed turf is built over a permeable base of crushed aggregate and a sand-leveling course, so water moves through the turf surface and percolates into the base instead of pooling. On this Mira Mesa project, the turf zones sit alongside ~145 feet of new drainage pipe that routes overflow to a curb core-out, so the turf field stays dry even after heavy rain. Annual brooming keeps the pile upright.
Your Outdoor Project in 3 Simple Steps
Design
We listen to your vision, assess your space, and create a custom design that fits your lifestyle and budget.
Build
Our experienced crews bring the design to life with premium materials and expert craftsmanship.
Enjoy
Step into your transformed outdoor space and start making memories with family and friends.
Your Project Manager
Chris MacMillan
A San Diego native, Chris grew up in his family's North County landscaping business and went on to launch his own custom outdoor-living company. He combines a finance background with hands-on construction expertise to help homeowners get the most out of San Diego's year-round outdoor living.
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