Paver Patio, Fire Pit & Outdoor Kitchen in Bonita
This finished project was a $95k-$110k build.
Project Gallery
Aerial across the full paver patio, fire pit and outdoor kitchen island
Establishing aerial: the paver terrace wraps the home beneath a wide valley backdrop
Top-down aerial revealing the complete patio, turf lawn and kitchen layout
Dining set framed by Mount Miguel at golden hour on new pavers
Six-seat dining table set against the open valley panorama
Paver patio opens to the home through the existing folding-glass wall
Stucco BBQ island with concrete counter anchors the terrace at golden hour
Outdoor kitchen island glows with LED accent lighting after sunset
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Lounge seating on the finished Angelus paver patio
Low-maintenance artificial turf lawn bordered by paver edging and river rock
Gas flames dance over lava rock with the mountain beyond
Fire pit coping and crisp paver soldier course in detail
Gas fire pit ignites at twilight above the twinkling valley
Landscape lighting washes the patio and turf after dark
Path lights and river-rock borders glow along the side yard at dusk
Completed paver patio, gas fire pit, artificial turf and outdoor kitchen at a Bonita home.
Completed paver patio, gas fire pit, artificial turf and outdoor kitchen at a Bonita home.
Project Snapshot
Project Story
Overview
Laid about 2,100 square feet of Angelus Paseo I and II pavers across a Bonita hilltop backyard, then built the two things the yard was missing: an L-shaped CMU outdoor kitchen island in Santa Barbara-style stucco with a concrete countertop, and a natural-gas fire pit in matching stucco set into the new pavers. An Angelus Rustic Wall seat wall with a Bastione cap and paver steps holds the grade, about 425 square feet of Imperial Desert Rye 65 turf carries the lawn, and yard drainage, drip irrigation, and Pro-Trade up- and path-lighting finish the space. About seven weeks on site (35 working days), on a lot that looks straight out over the valley toward Mount Miguel.
The Challenge
- The backyard had no finished patio, so there was nowhere solid to set up furniture or move easily between the house and the yard.
- There was no place to cook or gather outdoors and no built-in seating or fire feature to make the space usable in the evening.
- The yard needed a way to handle surface water and a low-water lawn so it would stay usable through the year.
What Changed
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Before & After
The side yard before — patchy lawn, a concrete strip, and the old grill.
After: a cedar-pergola-shaded paver patio and artificial-turf lawn running out to the canyon view.
Before: the old smoker on a brick pad against the house, on a worn lawn.
After: a pergola-covered paver patio with a turf lawn and a river-rock planting border.
Design & Build
The Plan
Lay about 2,100 square feet of Angelus Paseo I & II pavers for the main patio, with a paver-on-edge mow strip, paver steps, and polymeric jointing sand.
Build an ~11 ft CMU outdoor kitchen island finished in Santa Barbara-style stucco with a concrete countertop and appliance cutouts, reconfigured to an L-shape to fit the yard.
Build a natural-gas fire pit in CMU with Santa Barbara-style stucco and run a natural-gas line to it.
Install an Angelus Rustic Wall block seat/retaining wall with Bastione cap, ~425 square feet of Imperial Desert Rye 65 artificial turf with infill, and decorative rock over weed barrier in the planter areas.
Add yard drainage, drip irrigation, and Pro-Trade low-voltage landscape lighting with up lights and path lights on a timed transformer.
The Build
Demolition and site prep
The crew cleared the existing rear yard — stripping old surface soil and concrete and hauling off roots, shrubs, and grass — to open the full backyard footprint for the new hardscape. Existing sprinklers and drains were checked before demolition began.
Base preparation and grading
With the yard cleared, the team graded the site and built a compacted aggregate base for the paver field, tying in drainage so water is directed away from the home and hardscape.
Paver installation and jointing
About 2,100 sq ft of Angelus Paseo pavers were installed across the patio, edged with a paver border set on edge in concrete and locked in with polymeric jointing sand.
Feature build — fire pit and outdoor kitchen
The two centerpieces went in: a natural-gas fire pit with a stainless-steel ring burner, and an L-shaped CMU outdoor-kitchen island (about 11–13 ft) finished in Santa Barbara–style stucco with a concrete countertop and appliance cutouts.
Retaining wall and artificial turf
An Angelus Rustic Wall seat/retaining wall with paver steps and a stone cap manages the grade change, and roughly 425 sq ft of Imperial Desert Rye artificial turf was installed over a prepared, infilled base.
Finishing details and lighting
Paver joints were locked with polymeric sand and the hardscape detailed, decorative tan and gray gravel was set over weed barrier, and Pro-Trade low-voltage landscape lighting — up lights and path lights on a timer — was wired in.
Final checks and cleanup
The crew completed punch-list items, cleaned the site, and finished final details — leaving a paver backyard with the outdoor kitchen, fire pit, turf, and lighting ready to use.
Investment
What would a similar project cost in Bonita?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a paver patio with an outdoor kitchen cost in Bonita?
A full outdoor-living build like this one in Bonita runs in the range of $95,000 to $110,000. That covers about 2,100 square feet of Angelus pavers, an outdoor kitchen island, a natural-gas fire pit, artificial turf, a seat wall, drainage, and landscape lighting. Your number depends on square footage, materials, and site conditions, so pricing is always site-specific.
How much maintenance does artificial turf need?
Artificial turf is low-maintenance compared to a natural lawn. There is no mowing or regular watering, and it stays green through dry San Diego County summers. Occasional rinsing, brushing high-traffic areas, and keeping debris cleared is usually all it needs. The ~425 square feet of Imperial Desert Rye 65 turf in this Bonita yard is set on a prepared base with infill for drainage and stability.
Do I need a permit for a backyard project in Bonita?
Bonita is in unincorporated San Diego County, so permitting goes through the County of San Diego rather than a city building department. Gas lines, electrical, and some structures can require County permits and inspections depending on scope. Confirm what your project needs with the County of San Diego and a licensed contractor or attorney before work begins.
How long does a backyard paver and outdoor-kitchen project take?
It depends on scope. A simple paver-and-turf yard can run a few weeks, while a full outdoor-living build with an outdoor kitchen, a gas fire pit, walls, and drainage takes longer. The full outdoor-living build on this Bonita project ran about 35 working days on site, roughly 7 weeks. Access, drainage work, and the amount of masonry are the biggest factors on schedule.
Can you build an outdoor kitchen and a gas fire pit in the same project?
Yes. This Bonita project included both an ~11 ft CMU outdoor kitchen island finished in Santa Barbara-style stucco with a concrete countertop and a natural-gas fire pit built in CMU with matching stucco. Running both in one build lets the gas work, hardscape, and finishes be coordinated so the patio, kitchen, and fire feature read as one connected space.
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.
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
Let's discuss your project and bring your vision to life.