What shapes the investment
- Patio size and the material chosen
- Site grade and drainage work required
- Excavation difficulty and access for equipment
- Permitting and any engineering needed
- How much of the surrounding hardscape and planting is in scope
Patios & Hardscape
Cambria Patio Design and Installation
Cambria's Monterey pine forest runs right down to the coast, which means marine wind and salt reach every patio we build here. We design hardscape with corrosion-resistant materials and proper drainage for the sandy, fast-draining soil under the pines, then build it with our own in-house crews.
- 25+years of experience
- 10,000+projects completed
- In-housedesign-build crews
- LIC #715731licensed & insured
- 5-star
Start here
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 Southern California, so the choices are suited to this climate.
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01 An entertaining space A patio sized for dining and gathering, sheltered enough from marine wind to actually get used. See entertaining patios -
02 A family-friendly backyard Durable, corrosion-resistant surfaces that hold up to Cambria wind and salt while staying safe for everyday use. See family patios -
03 A refined, minimal look Large-format paving in restrained colors, suited to Cambria's more open, in-town lots. See modern patios -
04 An informal, rustic feel Natural materials that sit comfortably under Cambria's pine canopy, letting the wooded setting do most of the work. See rustic patios
Service options
Interlocking Paver Patios
Best for Anyone who wants durability, color longevity, and easy repairs.
- Four times stronger than poured concrete
- Color stays vibrant; does not fade like concrete
- A single cracked paver swaps out without removing the whole patio
- Hundreds of patterns, colors, and finishes
- Installation costs less than natural stone
On your property Cambria's marine wind and salt call for corrosion-resistant edging and hardware; sand base and drainage matter as much as the paving itself.
- Driveways
- Pool decks
- Integrated lighting
- Planter edges
Large-Format Porcelain Patios
Best for Modern homes and anyone who wants a seamless, minimal look that reads as an extension of the house.
- Made with modern porcelain manufacturing, stronger than traditional ceramic
- Huge range of styles, colors, and finishes
- Large format means fewer joints and a cleaner look
- Does not absorb moisture; resists staining and freeze damage
- Mimics wood, stone, concrete, or solid color seamlessly
On your property Needs a stable base. On a slope or in a complex grading situation, porcelain is heavier to work with than pavers.
- Modern architecture
- Pool edges
- Shade structures
- Minimalist planting
Decomposed Granite Patios
Best for Alfresco dining spaces and anyone who wants an Italianate or rustic aesthetic.
- Brings warmth and organic character
- Less expensive than pavers or stone
- Excellent for informal dining and entertaining
- Drains naturally and compacts to a stable surface
On your property Needs regular raking and occasional re-compaction. Fine dust settles in wind. Works best in protected courtyards.
- Planting beds
- Pergolas
- Mediterranean or Spanish houses
- Herb gardens
Natural Stone Patios
Best for Traditional houses and anyone who wants a timeless, high-end appearance.
- Every stone is unique; slight color variation adds character
- Works equally well in traditional and contemporary homes
- Rich, earthy tones age gracefully
- Flagstone, granite, travertine, slate all available
On your property Absorbs moisture readily; can crack in freeze-thaw cycles. Needs regular sealing and careful slope for drainage.
- Traditional architecture
- Water features
- Specimen plantings
- Rustic fire features
How we work
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Before Site analysis and measurement
We measure wind exposure, salt, existing pine cover, and drainage. This determines what will actually hold up on your specific Cambria lot.
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Design Design and material selection
The patio gets drawn to scale with grading, planting, and circulation. Material samples arrive so you can see how color and finish look under the pine canopy.
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Permitting Permitting and engineering
Permits go through our in-house team. Structural work like retaining walls gets engineered before construction begins.
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Under construction Excavation and base preparation
Cambria's sandy soil gets graded and compacted before paving goes down, with drainage worked out ahead of time rather than discovered after the fact.
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Finished Paving and finishing
Corrosion-resistant pavers or stone go in with trained crews, joints and drainage finished to plan, then planting fills in around the edges.
Key decisions
Things worth knowing before a first consultation.
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Material and cost
Poured concrete costs least. Pavers and DG are mid-range. Natural stone and porcelain cost most. Durability and maintenance vary significantly.
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Wind, salt and corrosion resistance
Marine wind and salt reach into Cambria's pine forest, so hardware and edging need corrosion-resistant detailing that an inland patio would not.
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Connections and thresholds
How the patio meets the house door, the pool deck, pathways, and planting beds. These transitions determine whether the space feels cohesive or fragmented.
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Size and utility
Entertaining space needs 20x20 feet or more. A narrow side-yard patio serves circulation and planting. Sizing changes material choices and cost dramatically.
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Joints and pattern
Pavers and stone come in patterns: running bond, herringbone, basket weave. Joints can be colored, filled with turf, or left open. Pattern affects both look and cost.
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Lighting and utilities
Conduit for lighting, gas, and water should run under the patio base, not added afterward. Deciding these in the design phase prevents costly retrofits.
Investment and timeline
No quote written off a photograph can account for what your property is like.
What shapes the schedule
- Design and material selection timeline
- Permit review, which varies between cities
- Site access and equipment availability
- Complex grading or retaining work
- Weather and construction sequencing with other trades
Why front yard walkway 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.
- Approach and entry The walkway runs the length of the front yard, sloped gently so the route is obvious from the street.
- Drainage and grading Cambria's sandy soil drains fast; grading still has to direct water away from the entry.
- Retaining and boulders A low retaining wall and natural boulders hold the grade alongside the path.
- Planting integration Decorative river rock and flowering shrubs border the pavers as the planting fills in.
- Lighting and evening use Path lighting keeps the entry usable once marine fog rolls in early.
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
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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
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 patio material holds up best in Cambria’s wind and salt?
Interlocking pavers and natural stone with corrosion-resistant edging and hardware perform best under Cambria’s marine exposure. A Site Analysis confirms what fits your specific lot.
How long do paving stones last?
Properly installed interlocking pavers last 25 to 50 years. They resist cracking better than concrete and individual stones can be replaced without affecting the whole patio.
Can a patio be sloped for drainage?
Yes. A 1 to 2 percent slope (about 1 inch per 8 feet) directs water away from the house and allows it to sheet across the patio into yard drainage.
Can I see the patio in 3D before construction?
Yes. Our design process includes 3D renderings so you can see layout, materials, colors, and how the patio connects to your house and yard before construction begins.
What does a patio cost in Cambria?
Cost depends on size, material, and site conditions such as sandy soil and wind exposure. A typical 20x20-foot patio runs from a few thousand dollars for concrete to significantly more for natural stone.
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.