We also plant and grade real lawns where a living surface makes more sense.
What we build
- Turf lawns for play areas and backyards
- Pet-friendly systems with drainage and odor-control infill
- Putting greens and side-yard runs
- Base excavation, compaction and drainage
- Seaming, nailing and edge detailing
- Turf integrated with paver and flagstone bands
Built by us · Real project
Clairemont Paver Patio & Putting Green
Clairemont
The putting green stands out as a crisp green inset within the broad paved area. Repeated paver shapes and defined edges keep the surrounding layout visually consistent.
See This ProjectThe base is the difference
Lumpy, hot-looking turf usually sits on a rushed base. We excavate, install and compact aggregate in lifts, then screed flat before the turf is rolled out.
Choosing pile and color honestly
Blade height, color blend and thatch layer decide whether it reads natural. We show samples outdoors in daylight, not under showroom lighting.
Artificial grass, synthetic grass, turf — same install
Whatever it is called, the install is the same: remove the old lawn and root zone, build and compact a permeable base, set drainage, seam and nail the panels with the grain running one direction, then brush in infill. Product choice matters; base work matters more.
Where synthetic turf works best
Play areas, dog runs, small backyards where a real lawn never establishes, side yards, rooftop and courtyard spaces, and putting greens. On large open lots, a low-water planted design is sometimes the better answer, and we will say so.
Turf in San Diego heat and rain
Lighter blade colors and cooling infill keep the surface tolerable inland. A permeable base with a real outfall keeps the field firm through winter rain instead of spongy on clay soils.
Our work
Artificial turf Projects We've Built
Real Staples Landscaping project pages — same trade, around San Diego County.
Read first
Before you start your artificial turf project
Planning and cost guides from our own build experience.
Cost & Pricing
Artificial Turf Cost in San Diego: Honest Numbers
Installed turf pricing, the base work nobody quotes clearly, and the water-bill math that decides if it pays off.
3 min readLawn Alternatives
Lawn Alternatives for San Diego: Six Options Compared
Six ways to replace a thirsty lawn, scored against kids, dogs, water bills and how they look in August.
3 min readHiring & Permits
Getting HOA Approval for Your Landscape Project
What a submittal package should contain, why applications get rejected, and the state law that protects water-wise conversions.
3 min readTurf by neighborhood
Soil, permitting and access change street to street. These pages get specific.
Serving San Diego County
We take on artificial turf projects in La Jolla, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Point Loma, Coronado, North Park, Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Escondido, San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe, Mission Hills, Clairemont, University City and surrounding communities. See all service areas.
Licensed C-27 Landscape Contractor — CSLB License #1159370
Common questions
- How long does artificial turf last?
- Fifteen to twenty years for quality turf on a properly built base. The base is what determines whether it stays flat and draining that whole time.
- Does artificial turf get hot?
- It does in direct inland sun. Lighter blade colors, cooling infill and shade over the areas people actually stand on make a substantial difference.
- Is turf good for dogs?
- Yes, with a pet-specific system — permeable base, flushable infill and a deodorizing layer. Without those, odor becomes a problem in year two.
- What does artificial turf installation cost in San Diego?
- As a planning range, $12–$22 per square foot installed, depending on turf specification, base depth and drainage work. Small or hard-to-access areas cost more per foot than open yards.
- Do you install real sod as well as artificial grass?
- We grade, prepare soil and install living lawns as part of a design-build project. Where a lawn will struggle or water use is the concern, we will say so before you spend the money.
- Does artificial turf qualify for a water agency rebate?
- Generally no. San Diego turf-replacement rebates are typically written for live low-water planting rather than synthetic turf — our rebate guide covers what actually qualifies.
- Are you licensed for artificial turf work in San Diego?
- 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.
- Do you serve my part of San Diego County?
- We work across San Diego County — coastal, central, inland, East County and South Bay. Each area has its own soil, climate and permitting reality, which is why we publish neighborhood-level pages rather than one generic service area list.
