Finished backyard and side-yard walkthrough
Finished-only walkthrough of the completed paver grid, artificial turf joints, pergola area, retaining wall, decorative rock, planting beds, and side-yard finish.
Paver-and-Turf Grid Backyard in Vista
This finished project was a $95k-$110k build.
Project Gallery
Square pavers in turf joints form the modern grid that anchors the new patio.
Wood pergola shades the seating area set against the planted slope and capped wall.
Gravel drain strip at the wall toe handles surface runoff before it reaches the patio.
Bowl fire feature on the paver grid with the planted retaining wall behind.
Stepping-stone pavers in turf joints lead along the wall to the pergola.
Timber pergola over the checkerboard paver field.
Round fire feature and seating define the outdoor-living zone.
Pergola, covered patio, and fire-feature lounge form the new outdoor-living spine.
Side-yard pergola anchors the new pavers and turf at the home edge.
Fire feature seating frames the wall-and-fence backdrop.
Stonewall II caps top the retaining wall with new plantings on the slope.
Paver stepping stones in pebble aggregate alongside the new Bermuda sod lawn.
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Project Snapshot
Location
Vista
Style
Modern
Timeline
About 8 weeks
Price Range
$95k-$110k
Project Story
Overview
A checkerboard grid of 715 sf Angelus Courtyard Combo pavers with artificial-turf joints sets the tone for this Vista backyard, backed by a 185-unit Stonewall II retaining wall and 1,130 sf of Imperial Desert Rye 65 turf. A prefab pergola with gas-fed fire feature, 1,502 sf of Bermuda sod, 400 lf of drainage, and thirty low-voltage fixtures completed the eight-week reset.
The Challenge
- No paver surface where 715 sf of Angelus Courtyard Combo patio now sits — just patchy turf and bare soil that pooled along the slope after rain.
- The side-yard corridor was a worn strip of sparse grass and exposed dirt the household walked daily.
- The existing retaining wall at the privacy fence had loose sections and unfinished beds, so the slope where 185 units of Stonewall II were eventually installed had nothing holding grade.
What Changed
A patchy lawn and bare-soil slope became 715 sf of Angelus Courtyard Combo pavers in a checkerboard grid with artificial-turf joints, 1,502 sf of Bermuda sod, 1,130 sf of artificial turf, a 185-unit Stonewall II retaining wall, and a prefab pergola over the seating area. 30 low-voltage fixtures and 400 lf of drainage make the back yard usable in the evening and after a heavy rain.
How INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Helped
The homeowners wanted a backyard they could walk out into and use, with a clean patio area, a real lawn, and a stable wall along the slope. Install It Direct laid 715 sf of Angelus Courtyard Combo pavers in a checkerboard grid with artificial-turf joints, finished a 185-unit Stonewall II retaining wall behind the seating zone, and added 1,502 sf of Bermuda sod plus 1,130 sf of artificial turf so each zone served its own purpose. A 400 lf drainage system, 30 low-voltage fixtures, and a prefab pergola over the seating area tied the build together. The finished space gives the household a defined patio, an open lawn, and a shaded seating zone with a gas-fed fire feature.
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Before & After
Before — the bare dirt backyard with the existing block retaining wall.
Square pavers in turf joints form the modern grid that anchors the new patio.
Before — the patchy side-yard strip along the house.
Paver stepping stones in pebble aggregate alongside the new Bermuda sod lawn.
Design & Build
The Plan
Backyard layout built around a paver-and-turf checkerboard set against a Stonewall II capped retaining wall that follows the existing fence line.
Angelus Courtyard Combo 60mm pavers (715 sf) with Imperial Desert Rye 65 artificial turf (1,130 sf) infill in the joints, paired with 1,502 sf of Bermuda sod for the open lawn area.
Drainage strategy combining 200 lf of perforated French drain and 200 lf of solid SDR-35 line to move surface water away from the patio and house, with a gravel drain strip at the wall toe.
Low-voltage lighting per NEC Article 411: 20 in-ground Pro-Trade IG2 fixtures and 10 BUL1 up-lights on a 300W transformer with mechanical timer, fed by 250 lf of 12/2 wire.
Prefab pergola assembled on four 12-by-12 concrete footings with anchor straps, sited over the seating zone and adjacent to a 30 lf 1-inch gas line stub-out for a fire feature.
See the 2D plan drawing
The Build
Day one: roll-off staged on the driveway approach as the crew kicks off demo and haul-off.
Demo and site prep
The crew stripped the back yard of patchy turf and existing vegetation, hauled off two large vegetation loads, and staged a roll-off on the driveway approach to start the work.
Subgrade remediation and base prep
The site soil ran clay-heavy across the build area. The team worked the subgrade down, added geotextile fabric under the paver field for stability, and amended the sod area with USGA sand, gypsum, and compost tilled to 6 inches before any base went in.
Drainage rough-in
The drainage system went in next: 200 lf of perforated French drain and 200 lf of solid SDR-35 line, tied into 20 drain caps and downspout connections, with a gravel drain strip at the wall toe.
Wall construction
The 185-unit Stonewall II capped retaining wall went up along the vinyl fence line on a prepared base with gravel back-drain. A short side-yard wall (60 lf) and a rebuild segment were finished in the same phase.
Paver install and joint sand
Angelus Courtyard Combo pavers were laid across two paver fields totalling 715 sf, with 230 lf of paver-on-edge mow strip set in concrete and 175 stepping stones placed in concrete. Joint sand and final compaction wrapped the patio surface.
Turf and sod install
Imperial Desert Rye 65 artificial turf (1,130 sf) was infilled into the paver-grid joints and laid as a side-yard surface. 1,502 sf of Bermuda sod was rolled out over the amended soil for the open lawn.
Pergola assembly and gas-line rough-in
The prefab pergola was assembled on four 12-by-12 concrete footings with anchor straps. Alongside it, a 30 lf 1-inch gas line went into an 18-inch trench with tracer tape, with two connections and two sweeps for the fire feature.
Lighting install and final cleanup
20 Pro-Trade IG2 in-ground fixtures and 10 BUL1 up-lights were set on a 300W transformer with a mechanical timer, fed by 250 lf of 12/2 low-voltage wire. The crew finished mulched planting beds, set the river rock, and completed final cleanup.
Project Videos
Investment
What would a similar project cost in Vista?
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Pavers & Hardscape (715 sf pavers, 230 lf mow strip, 175 stepping stones)
$26,500 – $30,500
Walls & Retaining (185 Stonewall II caps, side-yard and rebuild segments)
$9,500 – $11,000
Artificial Turf & Landscaping (1,130 sf turf, 600 sf river rock, 1,300 sf mulch, 48 plants)
$24,000 – $28,000
Lawn & Sod (1,502 sf Bermuda sod with amended soil and irrigation)
$14,500 – $17,000
Drainage (200 lf French drain + 200 lf SDR-35 + 20 fittings)
$7,500 – $8,500
Lighting (20 in-ground + 10 up-lights, 300W transformer, 250 lf wire)
$4,000 – $4,500
Pergola & Gas Line for Fire Feature (prefab pergola, 4 footings, 30 lf gas)
$4,500 – $5,500
Site Logistics & Demo (haul-off, 80 lf wall demo, site setup)
$4,500 – $5,000
Estimated Total
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a paver patio and artificial turf project cost in Vista, CA?
A backyard build at this scope in Vista typically runs in the high-five to low-six figures. This Vista (92081) project, which combined 715 sf of Angelus Courtyard Combo pavers, 1,130 sf of artificial turf, 1,502 sf of Bermuda sod, a 185-unit Stonewall II retaining wall, 400 lf of drainage, and a prefab pergola, fell in the $95,000 to $110,000 range. Paver square footage, wall length, and drainage scope are the biggest cost drivers.
Do I need a permit or HOA approval for a paver patio and retaining wall in Vista, CA?
It depends on the height of the wall, whether gas or electrical work is included, and whether your property is in an HOA. The City of Vista's building department sets the permit thresholds, and many neighborhoods in 92081 also have HOA design rules. We did not document the permit and HOA path on this specific project for public reference. Verify current requirements with a licensed contractor or attorney and your local jurisdiction.
How do you handle drainage on a sloped Vista back yard?
We combine perforated and solid drain pipe to move surface water off the patio and away from the house, and we set a gravel strip at the toe of the retaining wall to catch runoff before it reaches the patio. On this Vista project that meant 200 lf of perforated French drain, 200 lf of solid SDR-35, 20 drain caps and downspout connections, and surfaces sloped to drain per CRC R401.3. Verify current requirements with a licensed contractor or attorney.
How do you keep artificial turf and Bermuda sod looking clean side-by-side?
The artificial turf field needs occasional brushing and rinsing, plus a leaf blower pass after the wind blows debris in. The Bermuda sod side needs irrigation, mowing, and seasonal feeding. Keeping the two surfaces clean comes down to a hard edge between them; in this Vista build, paver mow strip and a gravel drain strip do that work along the wall toe.
Can you set a pergola and run gas for a fire feature on the same patio?
Yes, when the layout and the gas-line route are planned together. On this Vista build, the prefab pergola was anchored to four 12-by-12 concrete footings with strap anchors, and a 30 lf 1-inch gas line ran in an 18-inch trench with tracer tape, with two connections and two sweeps for the fire feature.
How long does a backyard like this take to build in Vista?
Most paver-and-turf backyard builds in San Diego County run 4 to 8 weeks of on-site work depending on access, soil conditions, and how much drainage and wall work is in scope. This Vista project spent about 39 working days on site across demo, drainage, walls, pavers, turf and sod, pergola assembly, and lighting.
Your Outdoor Project in 3 Simple Steps
1
Design
We listen to your vision, assess your space, and create a custom design that fits your lifestyle and budget.
2
Build
Our experienced crews bring the design to life with premium materials and expert craftsmanship.
3
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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