La Jolla Outdoor Living & Landscape Design‑Build

Updated September 2025 — City of San Diego (La Jolla Coastal Zone)

Written by:

Luke W., Founder & Owner of INSTALL-IT-DIRECT

Luxury Landscape Design & Build Expert • 16+ Years in San Diego

Reviewed by:

Chris MacMillan, General Manager

ICPI Certified • CA CSLB License #947643

Last reviewed: September 2025 · About our process

6,000+ 5-star reviews since 2009 • Fully licensed & insured in California

From La Jolla Shores and Bird Rock to Muirlands, Country Club, Barber & Upper/Lower Hermosa, Windansea, and La Jolla Alta, we design-build complete outdoor living for coastal conditions: porcelain/paver patios, louvered pergolas or engineered pavilions, masonry outdoor kitchens (gas/electric), retaining/seat walls & hillside steps, dark-sky/low-glare lighting, drainage/underdrains, turf & putting greens, planting/irrigation — coordinated with City of San Diego permits and, where triggered, Coastal Development Permits (CDP).

Project fit: Minimum project $15k. Typical La Jolla backyard packages run $130k–$280k+. Whole-property (front + back) plans often range $280k–$850k+. Bluff-adjacent/CDP/ESL builds may run $350k–$1.2M+ due to engineering, geology and approvals.

Key Takeaways

Coastal smart from the start: We check Coastal overlay & appeal jurisdiction, ESL/Steep Hillsides, bluff setbacks, geotechnical needs, and the 30-ft Coastal Height Limit before design.
Marine-grade builds: AAMA 2604/2605 finishes, 316 stainless, sealed lighting, and salt-air-tolerant materials reduce maintenance.
Clear ranges, fewer surprises: Transparent packages and line-item allowances (gas/electric, drainage, engineering) prevent change-order creep.

Do-This-First — Coastal/ESL, Bluff & Utilities

Overlay check: Confirm Coastal Development Permit (CDP) triggers and whether your lot is in the Coastal Commission appeal area. For canyon/bluff parcels, verify ESL/Steep Hillsides and geologic hazards.
Bluff setbacks: We review your site’s bluff edge, stability reports and erosion/setback guidance to protect structures and utilities long-term.
ROW tie-ins: Driveway apron work, sidewalk underdrains and curb outlets use the City’s Right-of-Way process; private encroachments may require an EMRA.
Utilities: Confirm panel capacity (heaters, lighting, kitchen) and gas BTU load; coordinate SDG&E upgrades/relocations if needed.
Code cycle: 2022 CA Codes through Dec 31, 2025; 2025 codes effective Jan 1, 2026.

TL;DR — Typical La Jolla Installed Ranges (2025)

Backyard “Entertaining Core” (patios + pergola + kitchen + lighting + drainage): $130k–$280k+
Front upgrades (driveway refresh + entry walk/lighting): $80k–$220k+
Whole-property (front + back): $280k–$850k+ depending on slopes, engineering, finishes & approvals
Bluff/ESL/CDP-intensive: $350k–$1.2M+ (soft costs, geology, shoring, drainage constraints)

Access, export/haul, hillside/bluff conditions, utilities and finish tiers drive totals.

Packages (Good / Better / Best)

La Jolla Whole-Yard Packages — Typical Scopes & Installed Totals
Package	What’s Included	Typical Installed
Good — Entertaining Core	800–1,500 sf porcelain/paver patios & paths; 12’–16’ pergola; masonry outdoor kitchen (base appliances); low-glare lighting starter; drainage basics; planting/irrigation refresh.	$130k–$220k+
Better — Shade + Kitchen + Walls	All “Good” + engineered pavilion or 16’–20’ louvered pergola w/ heaters; upgraded kitchen; seat/retaining walls; expanded lighting scenes; drainage to lawful outlets (coastal constraints considered).	$220k–$420k+
Best — Coastal Resort	All “Better” + spa terrace or second shade zone; hillside/bluff-sensitive terraces; long-run lighting/irrigation; premium veneers/caps; CDP/ESL approvals included.	$420k–$850k+

Scope Anchors — La Jolla Big-Ticket Items

Installed ranges (click for San Diego-specific guides)
Scope	Typical Range	Notes / Links
Porcelain/Paver Patios & Walks	$35–$70/sf	Porcelain Paver Cost • Porcelain vs. Travertine (Pool Decks)
Paver Driveway / Entry	$50k–$180k+ (≈1,000–3,000 sf)	Driveway Cost • ROW/Apron Permits
Louvered Pergola / Engineered Pavilion	$40k–$140k+	Louvered Pergola Cost • Patio Cover Cost • Permits
Masonry Outdoor Kitchen (Gas/Electric)	$25k–$85k+	Outdoor Kitchen Cost • Kitchen Permits
Retaining/Seat Walls & Steps	$80–$260/face sf	Retaining Wall Cost • Wall Permits • Hillside Terraces
Drainage & Lawful Outlets (Coastal)	$12k–$65k+	Drainage & Stormwater
Low-Glare Lighting (Dark-Sky)	$8k–$40k+	Outdoor Lighting Guide
Artificial Turf / Putting Green	Turf $10k–$40k • Green $8k–$30k+	Artificial Grass Cost • Putting Green Cost
Fire Features (Coastal)	$5k–$35k+	Fireplace/Fire Pit Cost • Rules & Clearances

Permits & Coastal — City of San Diego Snapshot

Coastal Development Permit (CDP): Many La Jolla projects are in the Coastal overlay and some in the appeal jurisdiction. We assemble findings, plans and studies so CDP approval goes smoothly.
ESL/Steep Hillsides: Canyon/bluff lots can trigger ESL rules and geotechnical reports. We include retaining/drainage details and cross-sections that meet City expectations.
Pergolas & patio covers: Permit thresholds, setbacks and OTC eligibility apply. We provide engineered footings, heater clearances and electrical plans.
Retaining walls: Permit required over 3’ or with surcharge; we include calculations, sections and drain details.
Driveway/apron/ROW: City Right-of-Way process for aprons, sidewalk underdrains and curb outlets; EMRA may be required for private features remaining in ROW.
Stormwater docs: DS-560 applicability + standard plan notes; coastal/bluff conditions may restrict infiltration and outfall locations.
Lighting (dark-sky/low-glare): We specify shielding and trespass control to meet City outdoor-lighting rules and sensitive coastal contexts.

What We File for You (Typical Coastal City Sets)

City of San Diego — DSD

Scaled site plan (lot lines, easements, setbacks, overlays, utilities).
Architectural/structural sheets (pavilions/pergolas; retaining walls with calcs & drainage).
Electrical/gas sheets (kitchen circuits, lighting one-line, load calcs; gas isometric and BTU schedules).
Stormwater: DS-560 + standard notes; infiltration/outfall strategy appropriate for coastal/bluff sites.

Coastal Development Permit (when triggered)

Findings, coastal consistency notes, geotechnical/hazard reports (as required), visual simulations where helpful; manage appeal jurisdiction steps if applicable.

Right-of-Way (ROW)

Encroachment plans for apron modifications, sidewalk underdrains/curb outlets; traffic control notes if needed; EMRA package when a private feature remains in ROW.

Areas We Serve in & around La Jolla

La Jolla Shores, Bird Rock, Windansea, Barber Tract, Upper/Lower Hermosa, Country Club, Muirlands, Village, Hidden Valley, Soledad South, La Jolla Alta, Torrey Pines (adjacent) and nearby enclaves.

Plan the rest of your coastal project:

FAQs — La Jolla

Do I need a Coastal Development Permit (CDP)?

Often. Many La Jolla parcels are in the Coastal overlay; some are in the Coastal Commission appeal area. We confirm your status and handle the CDP path when required.

What about bluff setbacks and geology?

Bluff-adjacent sites typically require geotechnical studies and setback analysis. We integrate those findings into design, drainage and structural details.

Who issues building permits?

City of San Diego (Development Services). We handle patio covers/pergolas, retaining walls (over 3’ or with surcharge), electrical/gas permits and stormwater notes.

What about driveway aprons or curb outlets?

Those are permitted through the City’s Right-of-Way process. Private features remaining in ROW can require an EMRA; we design to City standards.

How do you specify for salt air and wind?

Marine-grade finishes (AAMA 2604/2605), 316 stainless where appropriate, sealed fixtures, wind-aware shade structures, and low-glare lighting suited to coastal conditions.