You’re not just getting a landscape—you’re getting a complete outdoor living transformation. Your property value increases significantly, often by $10,000 or more. Your neighbors stop and stare. Your stress about maintenance disappears because everything is designed for California’s unique climate.
Most importantly, you actually use your outdoor space. Morning coffee on the patio becomes a ritual. Weekend gatherings happen naturally. Your backyard becomes the place everyone wants to be.
The best part? You didn’t have to manage contractors, chase down permits, or worry about whether plants would survive Capitola’s conditions. We handled all of that.
We’ve been designing custom landscapes in the Bay Area since 1975. That’s not just experience—that’s institutional knowledge about what works in Capitola’s specific microclimate and soil conditions.
We’ve completed over 5,000 projects, from $5,000 refreshes to $4 million estate transformations. Our clients include Silicon Valley executives from Apple, Yahoo, and the San Francisco 49ers, but we treat every project with the same attention to detail.
What sets us apart isn’t just our track record. It’s our process. While other companies leave you guessing what your finished landscape will look like, we create detailed 3D animations so you see exactly what you’re getting before construction begins.
First, we come to your property for a comprehensive site survey. We measure everything, analyze drainage patterns, assess soil conditions, and understand how you actually want to use your space.
Then comes the design phase. Using professional CAD software and 3D modeling, we create detailed plans and animated walkthroughs. You’ll see your finished landscape from every angle before we break ground. We include three free revisions because getting it right matters more than getting it fast.
Once you approve the design, we connect you with our vetted contractors who bid directly from our detailed plans. No surprises, no change orders, no miscommunication. If you choose one of our recommended contractors, your design cost is completely refunded.
Throughout construction, we manage the entire project. Daily updates, quality oversight, timeline management—all handled so you can focus on everything else in your life.
Ready to get started?
Every project starts with a complete site analysis specific to Capitola’s coastal conditions. We factor in salt air exposure, seasonal fog patterns, and the unique drainage challenges that come with our topography.
Your design package includes 20+ 3D renderings, detailed CAD installation plans, complete plant and materials lists, and a custom animated video. These aren’t just pretty pictures—they’re construction-ready documents that eliminate costly miscommunication during installation.
For plant selection, we focus on species that thrive in Capitola’s Mediterranean climate while requiring minimal water. Think native California plants, drought-tolerant perennials, and strategic placement that takes advantage of natural microclimates on your property.
Hardscaping options range from natural stone patios that complement Capitola’s coastal aesthetic to modern concrete elements for contemporary homes. We source materials that age well in our salt air and won’t crack during our occasional freeze events.
The design phase typically takes 2-3 weeks from initial consultation to final plans. This includes our site survey, initial design concepts, your feedback and revisions, and final construction documents.
Installation timing depends on project scope, but most residential projects in Capitola complete within 1-3 weeks. We’ve finished complete front and backyard transformations in as little as eight days when weather cooperates.
The key is our detailed planning phase. Because we create comprehensive CAD plans and coordinate with our vetted contractors upfront, there are rarely delays or surprises during construction. We also guarantee start and completion dates, which is uncommon in our industry.
Capitola’s coastal location creates unique growing conditions—salt air, seasonal fog, and limited rainfall (about 19 inches annually). We focus on Mediterranean and California native plants that actually thrive in these conditions.
Excellent choices include lavender, rosemary, and other herbs that love well-draining soil and salt air. Native grasses like fountain grass and deer grass provide texture while requiring minimal water. For color, we often use drought-tolerant perennials like penstemon and salvias.
For trees, we recommend species like coast live oak, which is perfectly adapted to our climate, or olive trees for a Mediterranean feel. The key is choosing plants that see Capitola’s conditions as ideal, not challenging, so your landscape looks better each year with minimal maintenance.
We provide all the documentation you need for permits and HOA approvals, but the actual submission process varies by project scope and local requirements.
For most residential landscape projects in Capitola, permits aren’t required unless you’re doing major grading, adding structures, or modifying drainage. However, if your project does require permits, our detailed CAD plans and specifications make the approval process straightforward.
For HOA approvals, our 3D renderings and professional plans typically satisfy even the most demanding architectural review committees. We’ve successfully navigated HOA requirements throughout the Bay Area, including some of the strictest communities in Capitola and surrounding areas.
Plant selection is based on three factors: Capitola’s specific microclimate, your property’s unique conditions, and your maintenance preferences. We don’t just pick plants that look good—we choose species that will flourish in your exact location.
We analyze your soil conditions, sun exposure patterns, and drainage during our site survey. A plant that thrives in full Capitola sun might struggle in a foggy pocket near the coast, so we match each plant to its ideal spot on your property.
Our irrigation designs use smart controllers and moisture sensors to deliver exactly the right amount of water. This isn’t just about conservation—overwatering kills more landscape plants than underwatering, especially in our clay soils. The result is healthier plants that establish faster and require less ongoing care.
The biggest difference is our 3D visualization technology and project management approach. Most landscape designers give you 2D drawings and hope you can imagine the results. We create detailed animations so you see exactly what your finished landscape will look like before construction begins.
We also manage the entire installation process. While other designers hand you plans and leave you to find contractors, we connect you with our vetted installation teams and oversee the project from start to finish. Daily updates, quality control, timeline management—all handled.
Our 50 years in the Bay Area means we understand Capitola’s specific challenges and opportunities. We know which contractors do quality work, which plants thrive in salt air, and how to design drainage that works with our soil conditions. That institutional knowledge prevent costly mistakes and ensures better long-term results.
We handle projects of all sizes, from complete property transformations to targeted improvements that work with your existing landscape. Sometimes the best approach is enhancing what you already have rather than starting over.
During our initial consultation, we assess which existing elements are worth preserving and which should be replaced. Mature trees that are healthy and well-placed usually stay. Overgrown shrubs or poorly designed hardscaping might need to go.
Our design process is flexible enough to incorporate existing features you love while addressing problem areas. Whether you need a complete front yard redesign, a backyard entertainment area, or just better plant selections for problem spots, we tailor our approach to your specific needs and budget.
Our Client's Reviews
Posted on Josh RubioTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Larry was absolutely fantastic to work with and his design was incredible. He was very detailed, thorough and graciously interactive with our vision, and produced a masterpiece for us. Total dream come true for our project.Posted on Sam PetersTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I hired Lakota Design Group to re-do my Front and Backyard landscaping. During the design process, Larry listened to all of my requirements & incorporated them. He showed me multiple options, and really worked with me to create an amazing design. We used one of his recommended contractors to install our project and Larry managed it all. They did great work, kept our property clean, and finished ahead of their estimated completion date. We are extremely happy with the final product. I strongly recommend Lakota Design Group for your landscape design and construction needs.Posted on Randy D. ThomasTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently hired Lakota Design Group to redesign our front yard. We needed a complete removal and replacement of both our hardscape and plants. Larry did an excellent job on the design. He was very patient with us as we made revisions and provided guidance throughout the process to help us choose a design style that we loved. Larry also recommended a contractor who gave us a reasonable price compared to other bids we received. Larry managed the installation from start to finish, making it effortless on our part. Larry's team completed the installation in just eight days, and the final result is fantastic! I highly recommend Larry and Lakota Design Group for your landscaping needs.Posted on Laura FerranteTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had our front and back yard done by Larry and his team. Larry is very meticulous and detail oriented. He was very patient in taking my landscape ideas and then creating my dream landscape. We used one of his suggested contractors and are extremely happy with the outcome. We really enjoyed having Larry manage the project as we didn’t have to do a thing. Larry always kept us in the loop, supervised the progress, ensuring our satisfaction and meeting the agreed timeline. I would highly recommend Lakota Design Group for their landscape design and contracting services.Posted on Peter CoprivizaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am very happy with Larry’s design and creativity. His videos and graphics really helped the decision process. Jose and the team at Loya’s Landscaping are excellent craftsmen. They are hard workers who kept a clean worksite. I am very satisfied with the end product!
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