West Ridge Front Yard, Escondido
Overview
A West Ridge, Escondido front yard with old sod and crumbling concrete got a full overhaul. The crew removed the existing concrete, built low segmental retaining walls, and installed 360 sf of Angelus Paseo pavers alongside 308 sf of Imperial Coronado Platinum turf. Sixteen LED ledge lights and a 45-foot drainage system finished the project.
Quick Facts
City Escondido
Neighborhood South Escondido (92029)
Constraints/Challenges Plant placement required on-site client confirmation before installation could continue. HOA approval had to be secured before any ground was broken. The crew coordinated with the homeowner on site to mark and approve plant locations before final placement.
Goals The homeowner wanted to replace a failing front yard with a clean, low-water surface that would hold up in Escondido's heat and stop the ongoing maintenance cycle. The design needed to satisfy the West Ridge HOA architectural committee and add defined walkway access to the front entry.
Scope 360 sf Angelus Paseo I & II pavers, 308 sf Imperial Coronado Platinum turf, 170 sf Bastione segmental retaining walls with coping, 125 sf Desert Gold DG, 170 sf AZ river rock, 16 Pro-Trade LL2 LED ledge lights, 45 lf drain pipe, 22 five-gallon plants
Style Modern
Timeline About 9 days
Price Range $34k-$42k
The Challenge
- The front yard's dead sod and cracked concrete left the entry looking neglected, with no clear walkway path from the driveway to the porch.
- Every rain event moved surface water toward the foundation because the existing grade lacked any drainage system.
- The homeowner spent money every season maintaining sod that couldn't survive Escondido's dry summers, and the problem kept repeating.
How Install It Direct Helped
Market Context
Neighborhood Context
The Plan
- Layout centered a large-format paver walkway on the front entry axis, with turf flanking both sides of the path and a low Bastione segmental wall defining the raised planting zone
- Angelus Paseo I & II pavers (208 sf entry zone + 152 sf secondary zone) selected for their large-slab profile, which suits the modern townhouse facade of West Ridge homes
- Imperial Coronado Platinum turf (308 sf) installed over weed cloth and silica sand infill to handle Escondido heat without irrigation
- Drainage system: 25 lf of 3-inch triple-wall perforated pipe in the collection zone feeding into 20 lf of 3-inch SDR35 solid drain line, exiting at two PVC pop-up emitters per slope requirements
- 16 Pro-Trade LL2 7-inch LED ledge lights wired on a single 150W TR1 transformer with smart-socket timer, low-voltage system within California Title 24 limits
- 125 sf of stabilized Desert Gold DG and 170 sf of AZ river rock (1/4"-1/2") added as ground cover in planting beds, topped over weed cloth barrier
The Build
HOA architectural committee approval arrived before any work started. The crew completed a pre-walk to confirm quantities, mark scope with landscape paint, and verify Dig Alert clearance. All pre-install checklist items were signed off before site setup.
Concrete removal and drainage trenching ran concurrently to keep the site moving. Five large haul-away loads cleared the demolished concrete, roots, and shrubs from the property.
Bastione 24-inch slab wall courses went up across 170 sf of wall face with 90 coping pieces. Subgrade was graded and compacted before base rock was placed and screeded for paver installation.
Angelus Paseo pavers were set in two zones totaling 360 sf. Bond beam edging (60 pieces) locked the field perimeter. Base depth was verified by tape measure at multiple points before bedding sand was screeded.
Imperial Coronado Platinum turf was cut, seamed with SGW tape, nailed, and infilled with silica sand. Desert Gold DG and river rock were placed in planting beds over weed cloth. Plant locations were confirmed with the homeowner before 22 five-gallon plants went in. Existing irrigation was capped at 20 heads and one valve was relocated.
16 Pro-Trade LL2 ledge lights were wired and connected to the TR1 transformer. Light cleaning and rose trimming completed the final checks. A final photo shoot documented the finished front yard before the final sign-off.
The Result
Concrete front walkway with metal handrails leading to a residential front entry and covered porch with columns. Landscaped planting beds with mulch and drought-tolerant plants flank the walkway and a narrow grass strip is visible at the sidewalk edge.
Wide front elevation with the terraced entry and lawn grid.
Front yard and entry porch showing a concrete walkway and ramp with railing leading to a covered porch. The planting bed beside the walkway is mulched with sparse drought-tolerant shrubs, presenting a clear area for pavers or artificial turf installation.
Front yard of a single-family home showing finished artificial turf with large square paver stepping stones set flush in the turf adjacent to a concrete walkway. A low segmental retaining wall with capstones forms raised planting beds with roses and ties into entry stairs, indicating a completed landscape installation.
Wide front elevation with the terraced entry and lawn grid.
Angled view of the front yard hardscape and lawn grid.
Side angle showing the entry walk and lawn grid.
Walkway bordered by roses, block walls, and steps.
Street-side view of the finished frontage and entry walk.
Front yard of a single-family home showing finished artificial turf with large square paver stepping stones set flush in the turf adjacent to a concrete walkway. A low segmental retaining wall with capstones forms raised planting beds with roses and ties into entry stairs, indicating a completed landscape installation.
Front yard of a residential property showing a segmental concrete block retaining wall with integrated steps up to raised turf and entry porches. A smooth concrete walkway/sidewalk runs across the foreground with white flowering shrubs along the wall; the installation appears complete and landscaped.
Finished backyard installation showing square concrete pavers set in a geometric grid with artificial turf strips between units. Clean, flush installation with turf lawn areas on either side and a paved walkway axis leading away from the camera.
Front yard of a modern townhouse showing a completed landscape with low segmental retaining walls, turf installation, and central concrete steps leading to the porch. Raised planter beds with small shrubs and clean concrete sidewalks frame the synthetic turf for a low-maintenance front entry enhancement.
Investment
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Frequently Asked Questions
A front yard project of this scope in Escondido typically runs $34,000 to $42,000. This project included 360 sf of Angelus Paseo pavers, 308 sf of Imperial Coronado Platinum turf, 170 sf of Bastione segmental retaining walls, 16 LED fixtures, and a 45-lf drainage system. Simpler projects with fewer walls or no lighting will cost less.
This project took approximately 9 calendar days from first day on site through final sign-off. The crew ran demo and drainage concurrently to keep the schedule tight. Most front yard projects of comparable scope run 1–3 weeks depending on demo volume, drainage complexity, and HOA review timing.
Yes, the West Ridge HOA required architectural committee approval before installation began. California Civil Code Section 4735 prohibits HOAs from banning artificial turf outright, but HOAs can set quality and appearance standards. The approval was obtained before any demo started on this project.
This project used 25 lf of 3-inch perforated pipe collecting surface water and directing it to 20 lf of solid SDR35 drain line, exiting at two pop-up emitters at the property edge. All paved surfaces were graded to slope away from the foundation, which calls for a minimum 6-inch drop in the first 10 feet adjacent to the structure.
Imperial Coronado Platinum requires no irrigation once installed. Periodic rinsing to clear dust and occasional re-brushing of the pile to stand the fibers upright are the main tasks. Silica sand infill was used on this project to stabilize the blades and add firmness underfoot. No fertilizing, mowing, or seasonal overseeding.
This project used 16 Pro-Trade LL2 7-inch LED ledge lights connected to a single 150W TR1 transformer with a smart-socket timer. The system runs at 12V, well within the 30V AC maximum for low-voltage landscape lighting. A single transformer handles the full 16-fixture load, and the timer automates dusk-to-dawn operation.
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
Install It Direct has completed front yard renovations across West Ridge and the wider Escondido area, working with HOA-governed communities on material selection, approval coordination, and drainage compliance. the project manager oversaw this installation from pre-walk through final sign-off.
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