Sandra LawsI didn’t really understand how much good landscaping mattered until I spent an afternoon at my Uncle Mat’s house. His yard wasn’t fancy, but it was comfortable, with shade, space to sit, and an outdoor area people naturally used.
When I got home, the contrast was clear, and my own yard suddenly felt less inviting and harder to enjoy.
In a city where outdoor living is part of daily life, that difference is easy to notice. When a yard no longer works the way it should, the focus turns to finding practical help, and many homeowners start looking into landscaping services in San Diego.
To make that search easier, I put together a list of trusted services that know how to turn yards into spaces people actually use.
How much do landscaping services cost in San Diego?
Landscaping services in San Diego range from $1,500 to $10,000 per project, while ongoing maintenance costs $120 to $400 per month. However, pricing varies based on design complexity, materials used, and irrigation needs.
1. California Landscape Development
Address: 11440 W Bernardo Ct STE 300, CA 92127
Contact Details: +1 858-354-6742
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Over 25 years, California Landscape Development has completed 200+ residential and commercial projects across California.
They specialize in landscaping projects built to perform in the city’s dry climate and varied terrain. Their work even emphasizes water efficiency, proper drainage, and long-term usability.
To achieve this, their approach relies on site-specific planning that combines native and drought-tolerant plant selections with irrigation systems designed to reduce water waste.
That experience was reflected in real projects. A homeowner I know hired them for a full backyard upgrade that included grading, irrigation updates, and hardscape installation.
What’s nice is that a single team managed the process from design through construction. That means reduced coordination issues, which resulted in a yard that required less ongoing maintenance.
Beyond large installations, they also support long-term care through irrigation support and ongoing residential and commercial landscape maintenance. Plus, they offer free consultations that begin with a site assessment and a clear design plan.
One limitation is that their services are structured for complete projects, which may not suit homeowners looking for low-budget updates.
Detail-oriented landscape team
“Frank and his team are absolutely amazing! From start to finish, they handled our concrete project with professionalism, skill, and attention to detail. They arrived on time, worked efficiently, and the quality of their work exceeded our expectations. Frank took the time to explain everything and made sure we were completely satisfied with the results. If you’re looking for a reliable, knowledgeable, and hardworking landscape team, I highly recommend Frank and his crew!”
- Cristo Gommi, Google Review
Complete yard renovation done right
“Had Frank provide a complete renovation of our yard hardscape, planting of trees and bushes, sprinklers, landscape lighting and exterior painting of the home. We enjoyed working with Frank and would hire him again.”
- Jeff Litman, Google Review
2. LawnStarter
Address: 5613 Campanile Way, CA 92115
Contact Details: +1 858-943-2121
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Sunday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
LawnStarter offers services starting at around $40, making it easy to book essentials like lawn mowing and flower bed weeding without committing to a long-term contract.
I particularly like how the entire process runs through one application. This means getting a quote, scheduling service, or making changes takes minutes.
What helps them stand out more is how well it adapts to local needs. They handle water-wise landscaping, native plant care, and outdoor living upgrades that are suited to the city’s dry climate.
Yardwork here doesn’t stop by season, either. From spring mowing and aeration to summer irrigation checks, fall mulching and hardscaping, and winter pruning, their services align well with year-round landscape demands.
The platform also reduces risk. With Inspect First, Pay Later, your card isn’t charged until three days after service, and you have five days to request a re-mow or refund if something’s off.
Plus, each visit is backed by $2 million in property protection and a reported 95% customer satisfaction rate.
However, they’re best suited for lawn care and light landscaping rather than full custom landscape builds.
Excellent lawn care with an easy-to-use app
“I have been using LawnStarter and further more Brian as my service technician for 6+ years. It has been an excellent experience and the app makes life so easy to add additional services if needed. Brian has always showed up on time and communicated if there were any issues. Happy to use their service and highly recommended.”
- Steven Kushner, Google Review
Great lawn service after my gardener retired
“I came across LawnStarter because my gardener retired. Great service! Roberto did a great job on my lawn and I even hired him to trim my bushes and trees for extra.”
- Laureen Callo, Google Review
3. Modern Yardz
Address: 8133 Engineer Rd, CA 92111
Contact Details: +1 619-775-9554
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Modern Yardz focuses on projects that incorporate hardscape elements such as retaining walls, paved walkways, and outdoor living areas.
What stands out to me early on is their free design consultation, which gives homeowners room to explore ideas before committing. From there, projects are supported with 2D plans and 3D renderings for easier visualization.
I also like that they provide itemized quotes. Their design options include the Standard Design Package at $895. The most popular Premium Design Package is at $1,795, and the Luxe Design Package at $2,995.
In addition, their scale adds credibility. With 2,900+ satisfied customers, 49+ years of combined experience, and 12,300+ design consultations, the numbers point to a design process refined by volume.
For larger projects, they also offer financing options through Acorn Finance and Lyon Financial with easy applications and no prepayment penalties.
One potential drawback is that their landscaping work leans toward design-led projects, which can involve longer planning and lead times before construction begins.
From a run-down backyard to a modern one
“My yard needed a total renovation, everything from end to end needed to be demolished and replaced with the exception of the pool. I received several recommendations but Modern Yardz had the earliest availability for a consultation. Frank came out to review my yard and my wish list of things…walls, pavers, turf, lighting, landscaping, pergolas. I had no idea where to start but Frank made me feel immediately at ease and guided me on some options. After that first meeting and walking through the virtual design, I decided I did not need to talk to another contractor and trusted that Frank and the Modern Yardz team could do the job. It ended up being a 3 month project with a few unplanned issues along the way, but we worked through them and Frank was always there to guide on the options and provided quick responses to all my questions. Sebastian the foreman and his team on the hardscape side were efficient and do quality work. They often made up project time when we had delays on other parts of the project. Everything was worth the wait. I went from having an old, run down backyard to a Modern Yard that I enjoy, morning to evening!”
- E Sap, Google Review
Positive crew with a beautiful pergola result
“We worked with Jake he was informative, helpful and patient with a great attitude. The 2 dude’s that did the demo and landscaping were straight hustlers and had great attitudes the whole time. Doug built the deck and pergola and it’s just beautiful, he was also super nice. It was an absolute pleasure to work with this company and the mentioned above I will and would recommend them to family and friends.”
- Erikmisleh82, Google Review
4. Del Mar Landscapes
Address: 6153 Portobelo Ct, CA 92124
Contact Details: +1 619-723-0332
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Del Mar Landscapes is owned by Doug Kepner, a UC Berkeley-trained architect. He leads the company by applying both architectural and economic principles to landscape planning.
Their projects place a strong emphasis on climate-appropriate solutions. This includes drought-tolerant and native plant selections, paver patios and walkways, and layouts designed to address drainage and slope conditions common in the area.
From what I’ve seen, this practical focus helps streamline decisions early on.
Once designs are finalized, the process remains collaborative. I even appreciate the integration of the homeowner’s input with horticultural expertise to ensure long-term performance.
Their execution is handled by a team equipped with professional-grade machinery, including commercial excavation equipment and precision cutting equipment. Plus, their team is licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
Notably, I like seeing that they have maintained 20-year relationships with local suppliers, which helps keep material sourcing consistent.
But because of this professional setup, their services may cost more than basic landscaping or maintenance-only providers.
On-time hardscape work at a price
“Doug’s team did an amazing job removing a large obstructive and failing planter, putting in a firepit and a custom grill/burner with counter, and adding small planters; they were flexible and finished on time. The pricepoint was significantly unbeatable compared to 5 other bids. We also appreciated Doug’s expertise in recommending a resurfacing company to repair and resurface the peeling concrete paint, making our entire yard come together for ideal backyard hosting. A year later, the work remains in excellent condition.”
- Phuong Ho, Google Review
A communicative team that delivered our vision
“Doug and his team worked efficiently and collaboratively to make sure our backyard vision was brought to life! They arrived on time daily, kept me in the loop and made sure that everything was done correctly. I really appreciate their thoughtful, communicative approach. We’ll be hiring them for any and all future projects! Highly recommend!”
- Noel Alexander, Google Review
5. Sun Diego Landscape & Design
Address: 2358 University Ave, CA 92104
Contact Details: +1 619-779-4884
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Sun Diego Landscape & Design specializes in planning, building, and maintaining landscaping projects as a single integrated system. They offer professional landscape design, installation, and ongoing maintenance.
Their work also includes planting with hardscape features, which I find helpful for homeowners who don’t want to juggle multiple contractors.
One particular detail that caught my attention was their pergola and gazebo options. I love that it was designed as part of the overall layout, making outdoor spaces feel more usable, especially when shade and flow matter.
Knowingly, they operate under California Contractor License #985581. It’s reassuring for projects involving concrete work or permanent outdoor structures.
Furthermore, their gallery shows a wide range of residential projects across San Diego County. It’s one of my favorite features of theirs since it gives a good sense of the styles and project sizes they handle.
Sadly, their availability can be limited during peak landscaping season, typically spring through early summer. So, scheduling may require some flexibility on the client’s end.
Responsive team
“Sun Diego did a fantastic job with our backyard. Tommy was responsive and communicative. They installed a hog wire fence with a gate, sprinkler system and sod in our backyard. Everything was completed on a reasonable timeline. We love the result and working with Tommy and his crew. Would hire them again!”
- Katie Schultz, Google Review
High-quality backyard built
“Tommy and his team were amazing. Tommy was able to answer all of our questions and was upfront about pricing and the progress of our project. Our backyard project included new concrete, drainage, a retaining wall, and turf. Roughly took 4 weeks to complete. We were extremely impressed with his crew and quality of the work. I would highly recommend Sun Diego Landscape and Design.”
- Vim Iglesia, Google Review
