Sandra LawsLiving in Southern California means we get to enjoy our yards year-round, so why let the sunset force you inside?
Finding the best outdoor lighting in San Diego can completely change how you use your property after dark. A well-designed setup highlights your landscaping and adds a real boost to your home’s security, too.
I spent some time digging into the local experts to help you figure out exactly who to call for your specific needs.
How much does outdoor lighting cost in San Diego?
Outdoor lighting in San Diego typically costs between $2,000 and $6,000 for a standard residential yard, while high-end custom estates can easily run $10,000 or more, depending on property size and fixture quality.
| Property Setup | Average Cost Range |
| Standard Residential | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| High-End Custom Estates | $10,000 and up |
1. X Outdoor Lighting
Website:https://xoutdoorlighting.com/
Areas Served: San Diego
Contact: (858) 290-7656
Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Keeping your property safe without sacrificing curb appeal is a tricky balance, but X Outdoor Lighting has it figured out. They specialize in high-end, security-driven setups tailored for affluent neighborhoods around the city.
A friend of mine hired them recently, and I got to see firsthand how they configured an energy-efficient LED system to manage our pretty steep local electricity rates. The drop in his monthly bill was actually noticeable.
They’re really good at eliminating dark spots around your driveways, which is a quiet but huge benefit for safety. Their crew is also hands-on with routine maintenance, taking care of the little fixture tweaks as your landscaping grows in.
The trade-off is that their baseline approach might feel a bit over-engineered if you just want some basic patio bulbs. Their bread and butter is intense security for larger estates, so it’s worth knowing what you’re signing up for.
Customer Reviews
Professional, reliable
I have worked with X Outdoor Lighting in San Diego a number of times. They have always been professional, reliable and provided reasonable cost. They also provided me with a number of lighting solutions I was not aware of. If you have any requirements for outdoor lighting, they are an excellent resource.
- Bill McAllister | Google Review
Highly recommend
We have used X Outdoor lighting for a ton of projects both outdoor and indoor. From landscape lighting, hanging patio pendants, trampoline lighting, grass area lighting and even lights for a simulator room. Again and again they prove themselves with being friendly, timely, professional and knowing their stuff. We would highly recommend X Outdoor Lighting.
- Christina Macier | Google Review
2. Lamps Plus
Website:https://www.lampsplus.com/
Address: 1303 W Morena Blvd
Contact: (619) 276-0772
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Sunday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Picking out fixtures online can be really frustrating when you can’t tell how they’ll look in your actual yard. Lamps Plus is a massive retail showroom that solves exactly that, giving you a chance to see your options in person.
They have American Lighting Association (ALA) trained experts on staff, plus some genuinely impressive augmented reality (AR) tools.
You can use their digital platforms to visualize how different motion sensors or path fixtures will fit into your space before you commit.
If you’re a contractor or designer, they also run an exclusive VIP client program with handy perks. It’s a nice touch for industry folks who buy in bulk or work on multiple projects.
Just keep in mind that they’re purely a retail store. They don’t handle physical installation, so you’ll either need to hire an outside contractor or do the install yourself, which can add to the total cost.
Customer Reviews
Great selection
We went there Saturday to look for some outdoor lamps for a room addition we’re building. Lamps Plus has a great selection, a lot of different styles, and the prices are reasonable. Alicia was very helpful, showing us some of the products that met our needs, and we ended up buying three lamps. That was on Saturday, and the new lamps were delivered today (Monday). When we upgrade the interior lighting in our home, we plan to go back to Lamps Plus.
- David Gagniere | Google Review
Satisfied customer
Mikki was amazing helping me find my kitchen island lights, my outdoor exterior lighting for my small bungalow home. I was in the middle of a total renovation and she streamlined everything and made it very simple in the midst of when you’re making decisions 24 seven about your home and your decor, she made everything simple and easy. Thank you so much.
- Christine Perez | Google Review
3. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of North San Diego
Website:https://www.outdoorlights.com/
Address: 3125 Tiger Run Court, Suite 107, Carlsbad
Contact: (858) 832-2583
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of North San Diego brings over 20 years of brand expertise to that exact kind of full-service install.
Handing off a huge landscaping project to a single team like theirs is a genuine relief when you’re juggling a busy schedule. They handle both homes and commercial buildings, and the whole process starts with a complimentary design consultation.
They even offer a dedicated service for holiday architectural lighting, which saves you the annual hassle of climbing a ladder in December. Their permanent track options are also durable enough to match well with almost any building style.
I recently spoke with a homeowner who used them, and they really loved how hands-off the whole experience was.
However, because they operate as a branch of a national franchise network, you might miss out on that highly personalized feel of a small local firm. The trade-off is the franchise warranty, which can offer extra peace of mind for a big install.
Customer Reviews
5 stars
We just finished the outdoor lighting installation for my home in North County. 5 Stars! My property has never been more beautiful after the sun has gone down. The Technicians, Ruben and Enrique, who completed the entire property installation, were friendly, informative, conscientious, and knowledgeable in their craft. They arrived on time and efficiently placed each lighting unit to my specifications, making minor adjustments until the scheme was exactly the way I hoped it would be. Thank you.
- Richard Dehart | Google Review
Highly recommend
The team was challenged with lighting a portion of our 35 foot pine tree that made walking underneath it at night unsafe. It was an all day job but turned out looking spectacular. Our King Palm tree came out looking great as well. We highly recommend Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of North San Diego for landscape lighting.
- M. Hearns | Google Review
4. San Diego SociaLights
Website:https://www.sdsocialights.com/
Address: 3302 Kurtz St
Contact: (619) 352-0654
Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
San Diego SociaLights, founded by local brothers Kelle and Ryan McCarty, is known for transforming homes and big special events with show-stopping designs. They’re the perfect option if you’d like an easy setup to set the right mood for a backyard party.
For starters, their smart permanent bistro systems are pretty cool because they let you schedule your favorite light patterns up to a whole year in advance. It’s a small thing that makes hosting feel way more effortless.
They also give you multi-zone smartphone control, so managing different areas of your yard is a breeze.
Because they do so many weddings and events, you’ll often see them working alongside top event planners and the best photographers in San Diego.
The one catch is their packed event schedule. Locking them down for a residential install during peak holiday or wedding season can be pretty tough, so plan ahead if you want them on a tight deadline.
Customer Reviews
10 Stars
I can’t even put into words what this company means to me. They have truly done the most incredible acts of service time and time again. They exemplify what it means to give back to their community and are absolutely wonderful to work with! Not to mention they do the best work and are so professional! I’d give them 10 stars if I could!
- Michelle Brooks | Google Review
Highly recommend
San Diego SociaLights set up lighting for our Harvest Festival due to the poor lighting on our playground, and they did a fantastic job, even better than we expected! They truly listened to what we needed and helped light up our night. Everyone had a great time, and everything ran smoothly with no issues at all. We are so grateful for their support! I highly recommend!
- Carina Rodriguez | Google Review
5. Tazz Lighting Inc
Website:http://www.tazzlighting.com/
Address: 9555 Distribution Ave, Suite 101
Contact: (858) 444-8880
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Tackling a major luxury renovation means you need detailed blueprints before construction even starts.
Tazz Lighting is led by industry veteran Martin Epstein. This team focuses on delivering end-to-end, highly bespoke schematic designs for custom homes and commercial spaces.
They also provide hands-on construction administration by overseeing installations directly and coordinating with vendors on the job site. That kind of personal involvement is rare and genuinely useful on a complex build.
I like that their packages also include advanced automation programming, giving you seamless control over your high-end fixtures. It’s a great setup if you want a smart-home feel that actually works the way it should.
The catch is that their highly technical process is built almost entirely around major builds. If you just want a quick backyard upgrade, they’re probably not the right fit. For custom estates, though, their experience shines through in every detail.
Customer Reviews
High level of professionalism
Tazz Lighting has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism! Their expertise in lighting fixtures and controls is exceptional. The staff is wonderful to work with, extremely pleasant and attentive. They also have the remarkable ability to create stunning custom-made fixtures. I highly recommend their services!
- B | Google Review
Recommended
Working with the team at Tazz Lighting on numerous projects over many years has been an enjoyment for our office and our clients. Lighting is an incredibly important element to architecture, and we advocate working with Tazz with every project. They are a crucial resource and team member for our work, bringing innovative solutions to achieve the best solutions in both concept and budget.
- AJ Remen | Google Review
