We treat the yard as an extension of the house — one plan covering surfaces, screening, shade and lighting.
Del Mar site conditions
- Terrain
- Compact lots, canyon edges and short slopes
- Soil
- Sandy coastal soil that drains fast and holds little
- Architecture
- Beach cottage, coastal modern and remodel-heavy
- Exposure
- Marine layer, salt spray, close neighbor sightlines
Small lots, big demands
When space is limited, every square foot has to earn its place. We lay out furniture footprints and circulation during design so the finished patio actually fits how you entertain.
Coastal review and setbacks
Coastal-zone properties can carry additional review requirements for structures, walls and grading. We coordinate permitting and engineering rather than building around it.
Sandy soil and irrigation
Fast-draining coastal soil means water and nutrients move through quickly. Beds get amended and irrigation is zoned for shorter, more frequent cycles instead of a single long soak.
Built nearby · Del Mar
Compact Privacy Courtyard
What we build most in Del Mar
Neighborhoods we serve in Del Mar
Olde Del Mar, Del Mar Heights, Carmel Valley border, Beach Colony, Crest Canyon and the surrounding area.
Licensed and insured — CSLB License #1159370
Common questions
- How does Del Mar's view ordinance affect landscaping?
- Anything tall — structures, screens, trees — gets evaluated against neighbors' sightlines. We resolve heights during design and prepare the submittal so review does not stall construction.
- What works on small Del Mar lots?
- Vertical elements do the heavy lifting: privacy screening, level changes, built-in seating and lighting. Those make a compact courtyard feel considerably larger than its square footage.
- Is Del Mar soil sandy or clay?
- Both, depending on the block. Sandy loam near the beach shifts to heavier clay toward Del Mar Heights and the Crest Canyon edges, which changes drainage strategy entirely.
- Are you licensed to work in Del Mar?
- Yes. Staples Landscaping holds California contractor license #1159370, carries liability and workers' compensation coverage, and pulls permits on any work that requires them. You can verify the license directly with the CSLB.
- What does a landscape project cost in Del Mar?
- Focused projects — a patio, a turf lawn, a planting refresh — commonly run $12,000 to $40,000, while full yard renovations typically land between $45,000 and $150,000. Access, soil and finish level move the number most; our cost calculator lets you model your own scope.