A wisteria-covered pergola strung with Moroccan lanterns over a built-in grill, stone counter, and wicker dining set at dusk

Outdoor Kitchens

Templeton Outdoor Kitchen Design and Build

Templeton's newer rural-estate builds and oak-studded acreage give an outdoor kitchen room to breathe that a suburban lot doesn't. We design around heat, shade, and the scale of the property, then build with our own in-house crews.

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 the Central Coast, so the choices are suited to this climate.

Service options

A wisteria-covered pergola strung with Moroccan lanterns over a built-in grill, stone counter, and wicker dining set at dusk

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 Templeton's hot inland summers make shade structures and countertop material as important as the appliances themselves.

  • Patios
  • Pergolas
  • Bar seating walls
  • Entertaining lighting

Custom Outdoor Kitchen

the Central Coast

A wisteria-covered pergola strung with Moroccan lanterns over a built-in grill, stone counter, and wicker dining set at dusk

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 guests, and how hot does the patio actually get by mid-afternoon? That determines size, shade, 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 for a rural-estate property.

  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.

  • Heat and shade design

    Hot, dry Templeton summers make shade structures and countertop material as important as the appliances themselves.

  • 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 under a pergola for shade through hot inland afternoons.
  • 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 A pergola with vines makes cooking comfortable through the hottest part of the day.
  • 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 wisteria-covered pergola strung with Moroccan lanterns over a built-in grill, stone counter, and wicker dining set at dusk
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

  • 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
  • Pacific Outdoor Living replaced the original landscaping with drought-tolerant plants, making the yard look like a completely different home. The transformation was stunning and immediately improved our curb appeal. We were thrilled with how they handled the planting design and modern aesthetic choices.

    Christian Bailey Google review · 1 year ago Drought-tolerant landscape renovation

Read all Pacific Outdoor Living reviews on Google

Frequently asked questions

Does Pacific Outdoor Living serve Templeton?

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

What countertop material holds up best in Templeton heat?

Quartz and natural stone in lighter finishes stay more touchable through hot summer afternoons than dark poured concrete. A Site Analysis confirms what fits your specific property.

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 Templeton?

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.