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
Los Olivos Patio Design and Installation
Los Olivos sits in Santa Ynez Valley wine country, where vineyard-estate and equestrian lots meet oak woodland and a dry Mediterranean climate. We design patios sized to estate scale, coordinated around well and septic infrastructure, then build them 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 built at wine-country estate scale, sized for vineyard-adjacent entertaining rather than a typical backyard. See entertaining patios -
02 A family-friendly backyard Durable surfaces sized for a large estate or equestrian lot, with circulation planned across the whole property. See family patios -
03 A refined, minimal look Provence- and Mediterranean-inspired materials that fit the upscale wine-country character of a Los Olivos estate. See modern patios -
04 An informal, rustic feel A stone retaining wall and stamped concrete that sit naturally against oak woodland and vineyard views. 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 Los Olivos' dry Mediterranean climate and estate scale mean base preparation matters as much as pattern, especially where irrigation runs off a private well.
- 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 sun exposure, oak woodland proximity, well and septic locations, and drainage across the full estate, not just the area closest to the house.
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Design Design and material selection
The patio gets drawn to scale with the estate, weighted toward the Provence- and Mediterranean-inspired wine-country aesthetic Los Olivos calls for.
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Permitting Permitting and engineering
Los Olivos properties often involve county review, agricultural zoning, and well and septic coordination. Our permitting department helps coordinate approvals with Santa Barbara County before work begins.
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Under construction Excavation and base preparation
Site grading and irrigation are planned around your property's well and septic infrastructure, with drainage worked out ahead of time.
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Finished Paving and finishing
Stamped concrete or pavers go in with trained crews, then planting and lighting complete the estate-scale space.
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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Well water and septic-aware planning
Many unincorporated Santa Ynez Valley properties rely on private wells and septic systems. Hardscape placement and drainage are planned around your property’s actual infrastructure.
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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 paver pathway 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.
- Route and desire lines The walkway replaced a worn access route, curved to follow the line people were already walking.
- Retaining and grade A stone retaining wall holds the grade alongside the path as it passes an existing oak.
- Gate and arrival An iron gate marks the transition from walkway to patio.
- Planting and borders Decorative stone borders and drought-tolerant planting finish the route.
- Lighting and evening use Landscape lighting keeps the path usable once the inland evening cools off.
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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We hired Pacific Outdoor Living in October 2020, after living in the house for about 30 years. They did a complete backyard renovation converting a relatively unusable sloped backyard with a very small patio into a 2 tiered outdoor entertaining showpiece with room to host and entertain 20+ people. We couldn't be happier with their ideas and design for the space.
Mark Lewin Google review · 1 year ago Complete backyard renovation, wine country -
They completely remodeled our pool, added a hot tub, and handled all the lighting and landscaping. Our project supervisor, Juan, demonstrated great communication and meticulous attention to detail, taking extra care to ensure that every aspect was safe for our kids and our puppy. This is clearly a company that takes genuine pride in their work.
Sarah Johnson Google review · 2 years ago Pool remodel, lighting and landscaping
Frequently asked questions
Does Pacific Outdoor Living serve Los Olivos?
Yes. Los Olivos is within our Santa Ynez Valley service area, and our Central Coast design-build team works throughout the region.
What patio material fits a Los Olivos wine-country estate?
Stamped concrete and natural stone both suit the Provence- and Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic common here. A Site Analysis confirms what fits your specific estate.
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 Los Olivos?
Cost depends on size, material, and site conditions, including well and septic coordination on an estate lot. A consultation gets you numbers specific to your property.
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.