Travertine Patio and Fountain, Carmel Valley
This finished project was a $47k-$57k build.
Project Gallery
Project Snapshot
Project Story
Overview
A dated backyard at a Carmel Valley home got a full hardscape overhaul: 1,372 square feet of travertine-style pavers, a raised sheer-descent fountain, sod lawn, underground drainage, and step lighting. The crew demoed existing concrete and turf, then rebuilt from the subgrade up.
The Challenge
- The existing backyard surface was a patchwork of old brick, clay tile, and flagstone set in concrete that had deteriorated around the pool edge, making the space feel neglected.
- The lawn area had thinning, patchy turf with uneven irrigation coverage that left brown strips across much of the yard.
- There was no drainage system at all, so surface water from the patio and pool deck had nowhere to go after heavy rain.
What Changed
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Design & Build
The Plan
Paver selection: Angelus Courtyard Combo (Standard) 60MM in a travertine style, light toned, installed across the patio and pool deck in a single continuous field
Fountain design: custom raised sheer-descent water feature, positioned along the rear hedge to create a focal point from the house
Drainage: 86 lf of 3-inch SDR35 drainline with 8 plastic drain caps and a new irrigation valve, sloped to meet (6-inch fall in 10 feet away from the foundation)
Lighting: 6 Pro-Trade SL1 4.5-inch surface-mounted LED step lights and 2 Pro-Trade LL2 7-inch ledge lights wired under via a 150W stainless steel transformer and smart socket timer
Sod zone: 698 sf tall fescue with up to 4-inch soil prep, amendments, and a standard irrigation valve covering up to 150 lf of Schedule 40 3/4-inch PVC with 10 popup heads
Electrical conduit: 42 lf of 1-inch gray conduit sleeve run under the paver field to protect low-voltage wire runs
See the 2D plan drawing
The Build
Demo and Site Prep
Crew removed 680 sf of brick, clay, tile, and flagstone set in concrete and cleared existing turf. Materials were loaded and hauled off-site. Grading and compacting followed to bring the subgrade to finished elevation.
Drainage and Conduit Rough-In
Underground SDR35 drainline (86 lf) was trenched and connected to 8 drain cap outlets across the patio and pool deck perimeter. Forty-two linear feet of conduit sleeve were laid under the paver field before sand was screeded.
Paver and Pool Deck Installation
Pavers were set on a sand bed across the patio and pool deck, tied into a single continuous surface. Gray NextGel polymeric sand was swept in and allowed a two-to-three day cure before adjacent work resumed.
Fountain Construction
The raised fountain structure was built and tiled, with the cap and borders installed on top. The sheer-descent pump was connected after delivery and the water line was extended 56 lf to serve the feature.
Sod and Irrigation
The central turf bed received soil prep, amendments, and 698 sf of tall fescue sod. The irrigation valve, PVC supply line, and popup heads were installed and balanced across the zone.
Lighting and final checks
Step lights and ledge lights were mounted and wired back to the transformer through the conduit sleeve. The smart socket timer was programmed. A final walk with the homeowner identified any remaining touch-up items.
Investment
What would a similar project cost in San Diego?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a travertine paver patio with a fountain cost in Carmel Valley San Diego?
Projects similar to this one in the 92130 ZIP typically run $47,000 to $57,000. That range covers 1,300+ sf of paver installation across the patio and pool deck, a custom raised sheer-descent fountain, demo of existing concrete, drainage, sod, and lighting. Fountain scope and pool deck access are the biggest cost drivers on jobs like this.
Do I need a permit for a paver patio or fountain in San Diego?
Paver patios generally do not require a building permit in San Diego as long as drainage is directed away from the foundation. Retaining walls over 3 feet require a permit under San Diego’s local threshold. This project’s fountain is a water feature, not a structural wall, but any gas line connection to an outdoor fire feature would require a separate plumbing permit. Confirm scope details with the City if your project includes walls or gas.
How do I maintain a tall fescue sod lawn next to a pool deck in San Diego?
Tall fescue in a poolside setting benefits from deep, infrequent watering. Adjust controller run-times seasonally to avoid over- or under-watering.
How long does a backyard paver and fountain project take in San Diego?
This project ran from December 12, 2024 to March 21, 2025, 67 working days from demo through the certificate of completion. The paver installation and pool deck work took the bulk of the active install time, with a mandatory two-to-three day cure after polymeric sand before adjacent sod work could begin. Fountain construction ran concurrently and added coordination time for specialty materials, including a pump that was delayed by the year-end holiday. A rain week in early February also pushed sand and sod installation later in the calendar.
What kind of low-voltage lighting works best for a paver patio near a pool?
This project used Pro-Trade SL1 LED step lights flush-mounted into the paver risers and Pro-Trade LL2 ledge lights along the water feature, all wired through a 150W stainless steel transformer. Listing the system as a complete low-voltage assembly and running wire through conduit under the pavers keeps the install code-compliant and protects the wire long-term.
Can a sheer-descent fountain be added to an existing pool deck patio in San Diego?
Yes. This project added a raised sheer-descent fountain to a new paver pool deck during the same build phase. The fountain was built as a custom raised structure with a tiled face, cap, and border, and the water line was extended 56 lf from an existing supply point. Scope, subcontractor coordination, and cure time for the fountain base are the main scheduling factors to plan around.
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
Troy MacMillan
A San Diego native with more than 20 years in landscape construction, Troy brings seasoned craftsmanship to every build. A devoted husband and father of two, he carries the same care from the job site to his weekend farm.
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