What shapes the investment
- Number and type of fixtures
- LED versus other lighting technology
- Smart controls and zoning
- Wiring and transformer requirements
- Whether lighting is added to existing hardscape or planned with new construction
Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor Lighting Installation in Cayucos
Outdoor lighting installation and landscape lighting for Cayucos beach cottages and hillside homes. Lots here sit close together, so good lighting means warm, shielded fixtures that light your steps and patio without shining into the house next door. We choose fixtures that stand up to salt air and install them with our own 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
Cayucos grew up around Captain James Cass’s 1872 wharf, and it is still a town where people walk everywhere after dinner. Pick what you’re after below. The projects pictured come from our wider portfolio.
-
01 A safer, more secure property Step lights and a shielded entry light make the walk up from the street safe, without a floodlight shining into the neighbors’ windows. See the driveway project -
02 A backyard built for evening entertaining A small deck or courtyard becomes an evening room with a few warm, low fixtures and a fire feature. See the fireplace terrace -
03 Pools and water features that glow at night A spa or small water feature can glow softly after a day at the beach, on sealed, corrosion-resistant fixtures. See pool projects -
04 Architectural and landscape highlights Grazing a shingled or stucco wall gives a compact lot depth at night without adding fixtures everywhere. See landscape projects
Service options
Energy-Efficient LED Lighting
Best for Anyone who wants long-lasting, low-energy lighting that still looks warm and inviting.
- Uses a fraction of the power of the halogen systems it replaces
- Integrated LED fixtures are commonly rated for tens of thousands of hours
- Warm color temperatures, around 2700K to 3000K, that suit dark-sky guidance
- Solid brass and copper bodies that stand up to coastal air
- Low-voltage cable that is safe to run through planting beds
On your property Low-voltage cable runs underground from a transformer on an outdoor outlet. Fixture locations are planned during design, not added after the planting is in.
- Pathways
- Garden beds
- Trees and architecture
- Patios and decks
Smart Outdoor Lighting Systems
Best for Homeowners who want schedules, zones, and dimming from a phone or panel instead of a timer box on the side of the house.
- Astronomical timers that follow sunset through the seasons
- Separate zones, so the entry, patio, and pool keep their own schedules
- Dimming for a softer late-evening scene
- Motion-activated zones for security lighting that stays off until it is needed
- Remote control from a phone or a home automation system
On your property Needs a smart-capable transformer and, for app control, a Wi-Fi signal where the transformer is mounted. We confirm both during design.
- Pool and water feature lighting
- Entertaining areas
- Security lighting
- Whole-property systems
Pathway and Walkway Lighting
Best for Anyone who wants safer walkways and steps, and a well-lit approach to the house.
- Improves safety and visibility along driveways and garden paths
- Marks steps and grade changes after dark
- Low, downward-facing fixtures avoid glare
- Works with paver, natural stone, or concrete surfaces
- Extends the finished look of hardscape into the evening
On your property Fixture spacing depends on the width and length of the route. Step lights are set into risers and walls as they are built, and path light cable is best run under the base during construction.
- Driveways
- Entry walks
- Garden paths
- Steps and grade changes
Lantern Courtyard Escape
Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles
Shown: Lantern Courtyard Escape, Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles
How we work
-
Before Site analysis
We measure the lot, note which windows next door could see a fixture, and check exposure to wind and salt spray before any light goes on the plan.
-
Site plan notes Initial consultation
With the site analysis in hand, you sit down with a designer and mark up the existing site plan: what should be lit, from the steps to the spa, and what should stay dark.
-
Lighting plan Conceptual design
The lighting goes onto the color plan with everything else. Every fixture gets a symbol, a model, and a count, so you can see exactly what will be lit before anything is ordered.
-
Rendering Final design
A rendering shows how the finished space will look and feel, string lights and all, so the lighting is judged in context instead of as a list of fixtures.
-
Finished Installation
Our crews run the low-voltage cable, set the transformer and fixtures, and fine-tune the aiming once it is dark enough to see the result.
Key decisions
Things worth knowing before a first consultation.
-
LED versus other fixture types
LED fixtures cost more upfront than the halogen systems they replace, but draw far less power and last much longer.
-
Smart controls versus a simple timer
Smart systems allow zoning, dimming, and remote control. A basic astronomical timer is simpler and still follows sunset through the year.
-
Fixture placement and glare
Shielded, downward-facing fixtures keep light on the path and out of windows, neighboring yards, and the night sky.
-
Security versus ambiance
Security lighting favors broader coverage on motion sensors. Ambiance lighting uses softer, more selective accents on a schedule.
-
Wiring and conduit timing
Low-voltage cable and sleeves are easiest to run during construction, before paving and planting are finished.
-
Integration with other features
Lighting is planned alongside patios, pools, and planting rather than added as an afterthought.
-
Close neighbors, no glare
On a compact beach lot, the neighbor’s bedroom window may be ten feet from your side yard. We use shielded fixtures, low mounting heights, and careful aiming so your lighting never becomes their problem.
Investment and timeline
No quote written off a photograph can account for what your property is like.
What shapes the schedule
- Design and fixture selection
- Coordination with other trades during construction
- Transformer and control system setup
- Testing and adjustment after installation
Why outdoor lighting 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.
- Every fixture on the plan Path lights, floodlights, uplights, step lights, and eyebrow lights each get a symbol, a model, and a count on the drawing.
- Wiring coordinated with the build Cable and sleeves go in with the decking, walls, and paving, so fixtures land exactly where the plan puts them.
- Steps and grade changes Step lights mark each change in level between the deck, the pool terrace, and the lawn.
- Pool, spa, and fire as one scene The pool and spa lights, the fire pit, and the landscape lighting were drawn together instead of as separate systems.
- Light placed with the planting Uplights are located on the same sheet as the trees and specimen plants they are meant to light as the garden grows in.
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 new backyard living area turned out beautifully, with responsive people throughout and the project completed within the expected time and budget. Their responsiveness and professionalism made the entire process smooth and stress-free. We were impressed by their commitment to staying on schedule and respecting our budget.
Sam Strom Google review Backyard living area, on time and on budget -
The company used its own crews, treated the yard and homeowner with respect, and got the job done on time. Having the same team throughout meant consistency and accountability. We appreciated their professional approach and the respect they showed our property.
Ronnie Stewart Google review In-house crews, on-time work
Frequently asked questions
Does Pacific Outdoor Living install outdoor lighting in Cayucos?
Yes. Cayucos is served by our San Luis Obispo office, and our in-house crews install landscape lighting on beach cottages, hillside homes, and ranch properties in and around town.
How do you keep outdoor lighting from bothering close neighbors in Cayucos?
Shielded fixtures aimed down, lower light output than most people expect, and timers so nothing burns all night. Cayucos is unincorporated, so San Luis Obispo County’s coastal zone lighting rules also apply, and we check the current version for your parcel.
Do I need a permit for landscape lighting?
Low-voltage fixtures themselves usually are not the permit question. A new 120-volt outlet or circuit for the transformer usually is. We pull whatever the city or county requires through our in-house permitting department.
How long do LED landscape lights last?
Quality integrated LED fixtures are commonly rated for 30,000 to 50,000 hours, which is more than a decade of nightly use. Solid brass and copper bodies also outlast painted aluminum fixtures, especially near the coast.
Will you check on the system after it is installed?
Yes. We include a monitoring period after installation to check settings and aiming, and to confirm everything is working as designed.
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.