Outdoor Living Design and Build in San Luis Obispo, CA

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  • 02Design
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Family-owned and operated Serving Southern California since 1999 Trusted experts in native ecology and drought-conscious design

From landscape design and grading to patios, outdoor kitchens, and complete backyard construction, our in-house team plans and builds cohesive outdoor spaces around your property, priorities, and San Luis Obispo's blend of coastal marine influence and warmer inland valleys.

Since 1999 - Licensed & insured - 20,000+ projects completed across Southern California

25+ years of experience
20,000+ projects completed
In-house design-build crews
San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo County service area

Central Coast Partnership

Pacific Outdoor Living & Idler's Home

A new partnership between two trusted Central Coast companies means more ways to plan, build, and furnish your outdoor space.

Idler's Home storefront in San Luis Obispo, a green metal-sided building with red and blue Idler's Home signage

Pacific Outdoor Living has partnered with Idler's Home to give Central Coast homeowners a more complete outdoor-living experience. Together, we combine professional landscape design and construction with convenient access to appliances, patio furnishings, home products, and outdoor-living materials.

  • Landscape design and construction
  • Outdoor products and materials
  • Local Central Coast service

The Partners

Pacific Outdoor Living

A design-build landscaping company, family-owned and operated in California for nearly thirty years. Our landscape architects and in-house construction professionals work closely with homeowners to build outdoor spaces around their vision.

Idler's Home

A Central Coast institution since shortly after WWII, started by Bud Idler as a small downtown San Luis Obispo shop. Idler's Home has grown into multiple local locations offering major appliances, homewares, furnishings, and remodel resources, known for accessible, local customer service.

One local partnership. More options for your outdoor project.

Plan and build your outdoor space with Pacific Outdoor Living, then explore appliances, furnishings, and outdoor-living products through Idler’s Home.

Visit an Idler's Home Near You

Santa Maria 2406 S. Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93455 Get Directions
Paso Robles 2361 Theatre Drive, Paso Robles, CA 93446 Get Directions
San Luis Obispo 122 Cross Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Get Directions

Planning an outdoor project on the Central Coast?

Why Pacific Outdoor Living

Designed Right. Built Right. Coordinated From Start to Finish.

San Luis Obispo landscapes deserve more than generic improvement. They need a plan that respects the site, mature nature, biodiversity, and the practical realities of construction.

Designer meeting with clients at a table reviewing property plans on office monitors
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Permitting Help Built In

Our dedicated permitting department helps manage city requirements, submittals, and permit coordination when your project needs approvals. Because we work with city officials, planning departments, and building departments across Southern California, we know how to make the permitting path clearer and easier before construction begins.

Pacific Outdoor Living showroom material samples arranged in an outdoor display
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Wholesale Material Advantages

We source through long-standing supplier relationships and pass our wholesale material discounts through to you instead of treating them as an upsell. You get the material deals we get, and you can visit our showroom to pick materials in person, compare finishes, and actually feel them before final selections are made.

Pacific Outdoor Living in-house team standing together in the company showroom courtyard
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One Coordinated Process

Design, materials, budget, scheduling, permits, planting, and construction stay connected from first measurements to final walkthrough, so one team handles the project from start to finish. We do not hand your project off to outside subcontractors; our in-house team of trained workers brings years of experience to the build.

Designing for San Luis Obispo

What to Consider When Planning a San Luis Obispo Outdoor Space

Outdoor living fire pit and patio seating area

Designed for Microclimates and Everyday Living

San Luis Obispo blends coastal marine influence with warmer inland conditions, often within the same neighborhood, which makes site-specific sun, wind, soil, and water planning especially important here.

That can mean native and climate-adapted planting matched to your specific microclimate, water-wise irrigation and drainage, and outdoor entertaining spaces designed around how the property actually sits on its lot.

Designing for San Luis Obispo

Microclimate-Smart Design for San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo’s mix of coastal and inland influence means microclimates, soil, and water planning shape plant and material choices as much as the design itself.

Pacific Coast iris blooming in a native coastal planting bed
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Microclimate-Aware Plant Selection

Coffeeberry, toyon, manzanita, ceanothus, sages, buckwheats, deer grass, and coast live oak companions are common choices, matched to your property’s specific sun, wind, and marine exposure.

Artificial turf bordered by a river rock detail
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Water-Wise Planting & Irrigation

Efficient drip irrigation, rain capture, mulch, and reduced turf are strong priorities here, whatever side of the coastal-to-inland transition your property sits on.

Custom outdoor kitchen and dining area
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Outdoor Entertaining

Fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and pool decks built for San Luis Obispo’s mild climate and easy indoor-outdoor living, year-round.

Front entry paver walkway with a retaining wall
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Drainage & Slope Transitions

Clay or compacted soils, drainage, and slope transitions are common challenges across San Luis Obispo’s varied terrain. We grade and drain each property to keep water where it belongs.

Our Process

A Clearer Path From Idea to Finished Space

Our proven design-build process turns your goals into a coordinated plan before construction begins, helping reduce uncertainty, avoid costly surprises, and keep the project moving forward.

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Step 01: Site Analysis, Pacific Outdoor Living design process 01
Step 01 of 5

Site Analysis

This initial investment helps guarantee your project is Designed Right, Built Right, on time, and on budget. It gives our team the accurate information needed to plan confidently and avoid costly surprises later.

Learn more about Site Analysis
SERVICE AREA

Confirm We Serve Your Area

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Outside our standard service area? Contact us anyway. We may still be able to help or recommend a trusted partner.

  • 25+ years of experience
  • In-house crews
  • Complete design-build team
Southern California Interactive service area
Pacific Outdoor Living service area map Custom interactive map showing Pacific Outdoor Living service areas in Southern California.

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Nearby Communities

Outdoor Living Services Near San Luis Obispo

Local FAQs

Questions About Planning a Project in San Luis Obispo

Does Pacific Outdoor Living serve San Luis Obispo?

San Luis Obispo is within our San Luis Obispo County service region, and our in-house design-build team works throughout the area. The quickest way to confirm your exact property is to use the address checker on this page.

What plants and design approach work best across San Luis Obispo's mix of coastal and inland microclimates?

We match native and climate-adapted planting, such as coffeeberry, toyon, manzanita, and ceanothus, to your property's specific sun, wind, and marine exposure. A Site Analysis helps confirm what will hold up best on your specific property.

Do you build natural ponds and water features?

Yes. For natural pools, ponds, waterfalls, streams, and ecosystem-focused water features, we recommend working with our sister company, California Waterscapes. Visit California Waterscapes

What does a backyard remodel cost in San Luis Obispo, and how long does it take?

Cost and timeline depend on the scope of your project. A patio or lighting refresh is a different investment than a complete backyard remodel with a pool, kitchen, and full landscape. Our five-step, in-house design-build process is built to keep confirmed projects on schedule and on budget, and a consultation is the fastest way to get numbers specific to your property. Learn About Financing Options

Ready to Plan Your Outdoor Space?

Start with a conversation about your property, priorities, and the way you want to live outdoors in San Luis Obispo.

Schedule a Design Consultation