A wood dining table beside a built-in grill and counter, sharing a deck with a panoramic hillside view

Outdoor Kitchens

Cambria Outdoor Kitchen Design and Build

Cambria's Monterey pine forest runs right down to the coast, which means marine wind and salt reach every grill we install here. We design outdoor kitchens with corrosion-resistant stainless and wind-sheltered placement, then build them with our own in-house crews.

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What you're looking for

The right approach follows how you want to use the space. Pick what you're actually after below, and the materials and layout mostly follow from it. Every project shown was built here in the Central Coast, so the choices are suited to this climate.

Service options

A wood dining table beside a built-in grill and counter, sharing a deck with a panoramic hillside view

Custom-Built Outdoor Kitchen

Best for Anyone who wants the exact layout, appliances, and aesthetic they envision.

  • Any size, shape, and configuration
  • Choose all appliances and finishes
  • Integrate seamlessly with patio and planting
  • Built to last with quality materials
  • Full design customization

On your property Cambria's marine wind and salt call for corrosion-resistant hardware and hinges; sheltered placement matters as much as the appliances chosen.

  • Patios
  • Pergolas
  • Bar seating walls
  • Entertaining lighting

Custom Outdoor Kitchen

the Central Coast

A wood dining table beside a built-in grill and counter, sharing a deck with a panoramic hillside view

Shown: Custom Outdoor Kitchen, the Central Coast

How we work

  1. Bare dirt backyard on a Lompoc ranch property, prior to design and construction by Pacific Outdoor Living Before

    Assess entertaining needs

    How often will you cook, for how many, and where does wind actually hit the lot? That determines size, shelter, and appliance choice.

  2. A landscape design specification sheet listing materials and plantings alongside photos of each one Design

    Design and appliance selection

    Layout, grill type, burners, storage, and finishes get drawn to scale, weighted toward marine-grade materials.

  3. Designer and clients reviewing 3D property renderings together at a design consultation meeting Utilities

    Utility coordination

    Gas, water, and electrical get routed before cabinet installation. Permits go through our in-house team.

  4. The outdoor kitchen island mid-construction on a Lompoc property, with concrete counters going in Installation

    Installation

    Crews assemble the island, install appliances, and test every system before it ever gets used.

  5. Completed backyard transformation with outdoor kitchen and fire pit area on a Lompoc ranch property Finished

    Integration and finishing

    Patio, seating, shade, and planting complete the entertaining space around the finished kitchen.

Key decisions

Things worth knowing before a first consultation.

  • Custom versus pre-fab

    Custom costs more but fits exactly. Pre-fab saves money and time but comes in fixed sizes.

  • Wind, salt and corrosion resistance

    Marine wind and salt reach into Cambria's pine forest, so hardware and hinges need corrosion-resistant detailing an inland kitchen would not.

  • Utilities and permits

    Gas, water, and electrical all need to be brought in. Some cities require permits.

  • Seating and shade

    Bar seating invites guests to watch cooking. Pergola or roof makes the space usable in midday sun.

  • Integration with entertaining space

    Kitchen anchors an outdoor room. Patio, fireplace, and lighting complete the picture.

Investment and timeline

No quote written off a photograph can account for what your property is like.

What shapes the investment

  • Custom versus pre-fabricated
  • Size and appliance count
  • Material finishes chosen
  • Utility work required
  • Integration with patio and shade structures

What shapes the schedule

  • Design and appliance selection
  • Permitting and utility coordination
  • Custom cabinet lead times
  • Installation and system testing
  • Surrounding hardscape work

Why custom outdoor kitchen was drawn together with the rest of the property

Decking, drainage, utilities, planting, shade and lighting all bear on where a feature goes and how it gets built. Settling them on one set of drawings is what keeps conduit out of the wrong trench and stops paving being cut to fit afterward.

  • Kitchen placement Position sheltered from marine wind, with easy access from the house.
  • Utilities and efficiency Gas, water, and electrical all routed before cabinet installation.
  • Patio and circulation Kitchen sits on the patio and connects to dining, seating, and the house.
  • Shade and comfort Pergola or roof makes cooking comfortable through the marine layer.
  • Bar and social space Counter seating invites guests to engage with the cook.
A landscape design specification sheet listing materials and plantings alongside photos of each one
The design sheet: layout, drainage, planting and lighting
A wood dining table beside a built-in grill and counter, sharing a deck with a panoramic hillside view
The same yard built: Custom Outdoor Kitchen, the Central Coast

Access, engineering, permits, finishes and scope vary a lot from one property to the next, so the investment and the schedule for your project are set once we have seen the site and the design is settled.

Tell us about the property and what you want the space to do. We will walk through the design, site and permitting factors likely to shape it.

What customers say

  • The yard had flooding, an aging pool finish, old irrigation, and an unusable layout-a list of problems we felt overwhelmed by. Pacific Outdoor Living helped turn those problems into a complete new design that transformed our space. The new layout is beautiful, functional, and finally usable year-round.

    Tom W. Google review · 1 year ago Drainage, irrigation and complete redesign
  • Everyone involved was outstanding and professional, from demolition to stone installation. We chose them again for our second project. That speaks volumes about their quality and reliability.

    Dan Jessee Google review · 2 years ago Second project, professional crews

Read all Pacific Outdoor Living reviews on Google

Frequently asked questions

Does Pacific Outdoor Living serve Cambria?

Yes. Cambria is within our San Luis Obispo County service region, and our in-house design-build team works throughout the area.

What holds up best to Cambria wind and salt?

Marine-grade stainless steel appliances and corrosion-resistant hardware perform best under Cambria’s marine exposure. A Site Analysis confirms what fits your specific lot.

Can an outdoor kitchen be built on an existing patio?

Yes, pre-fab islands can sit on any level patio. Custom kitchens need a stable concrete base and utility access.

What does an outdoor kitchen cost in Cambria?

Pre-fab kits range from $3,000 to $10,000. Custom kitchens range from $15,000 to $60,000+ depending on size, materials, and appliance count.

Ready to get started?

Schedule a consultation with one of our designers to discuss your project goals and explore what's possible on your property.

What happens next: we set up a visit, measure the property and talk through what you want the space to do. Then you get a design to look at before you commit to anything.