San Diego, CA

The San Diego, California, design represents Ecoregion 11.1.1., the California Coastal Sage, Chaparral, and Oak Woodlands. This ecoregion spans southern and central coastal California and northwestern Baja California, featuring a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The landscape includes coastal terraces, foothills, and valleys shaped by marine and granitic soils. Historically, it supported coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and grassland communities—now among the most threatened ecosystems in North America. Habitat loss, invasive species, and drought have made native plant restoration essential to support pollinators, conserve water, and reduce fire risk.

The two San Diego garden templates illustrate how native landscaping can thrive in this dry coastal environment at different scales. The San Diego Conceptual Native Garden Design models a typical residential lot of about 8,400 square feet, showing how native plants can create structure, color, and habitat value while conserving water. The San Altos Elementary School Demonstration Garden, installed by the Wild Ones San Diego Chapter, brings these ideas to life in an educational setting. It provides students and visitors with a living example of local native plants in action, demonstrating sustainable landscape practices and connecting the next generation to the region’s natural heritage.