The streets north of Montana Avenue carry some of the largest residential lots in the city  7,500 to 9,000 square feet on quiet blocks between the numbered streets, with La Mesa Drive’s Moreton Bay fig canopy marking the transition into estate territory north of San Vicente Boulevard. Sunset Park lots run smaller and flatter, built for families who want a yard without the maintenance burden of a large estate. Ocean Park properties sit close to Main Street with a relaxed, beach-adjacent character that outdoor design should reflect.Three different neighborhoods. Three entirely different design briefs. One permit process  through the City of Santa Monica Planning and Community Development Division.
Our Landscape Design Services
Residential Planting Plans
Custom planting plans built from your property's actual conditions — sun exposure, coastal wind load, lot dimensions, and soil type. North of Montana properties carry generous lot dimensions that support full garden compositions. Sunset Park lots suit efficient, low-maintenance designs that perform through the dry season. Ocean Park coastal-adjacent properties need salt-tolerant, wind-resistant plant selections. Every plan is specific to the site.
Drought-Tolerant and Water-Smart Design
The city averages around 12 inches of rain annually. A drought-tolerant planting plan cuts outdoor water use by up to 70 percent according to Metropolitan Water District data. We specify California natives and coastal-adapted species — Agave, Salvia, Dymondia groundcover, New Zealand Flax, Australian Willow — verified for your microclimate before going on the plan. MWD SoCalWater$mart rebates filed as part of the project scope.
Drought-Tolerant Residential Gardens
LADWP water restrictions apply throughout Brentwood. According to Metropolitan Water District figures, drought-tolerant landscapes use up to 70 percent less outdoor water than conventional turf installations.
Coastal and Salt-Tolerant Planting
Properties near Ocean Park, Main Street, and the beach-adjacent blocks of Sunset Park face direct salt air and coastal wind patterns that differ significantly from even three blocks inland. We specify materials and plants for actual coastal exposure rather than generic Southern California conditions. Hardscape materials near the beach must be specified for salt resistance and sealed accordingly.
Small Lot and Compact Garden Design
Santa Monica has a wide range of lot sizes. Some Ocean Park and Mid-City properties run under 5,000 square feet total. Every square foot on a small lot needs to earn its place — shade, privacy, visual interest, or outdoor function. We have designed on compact lots throughout Santa Monica and know how to create outdoor environments that feel larger than the lot dimensions suggest.
Santa Monica Neighborhoods
North of Montana
Santa Monica's most prestigious residential address. Larger lots, quieter streets, and proximity to Montana Avenue's boutiques and Palisades Park. Estate-scale garden design is practical here. The neighborhood north of San Vicente carries lot sizes that support full formal compositions — tiered gardens, specimen trees, water features, and structured planting that holds character year-round.
Wilshire Montana
Between Montana Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard. A blend of single-family homes and condos. Design here serves a range of property types — from compact condo courtyards to mid-size single-family rear yards. Walkability to Montana Avenue means outdoor spaces here serve as a private respite from the active neighborhood, not an entertainment destination.
Sunset Park
Tree-lined streets, family-focused character, and a quieter pace than the beach-adjacent neighborhoods. Sunset Park lots run primarily flat with single-family homes on 5,000 to 7,500 square feet. Design here focuses on functional outdoor living — a usable patio, low-maintenance planting, efficient irrigation — rather than formal garden structure
Why Choose Our Team in Santa Monica
We know this city's permit process
Santa Monica planning, Building and Safety, coastal zone review, and the LADWP water programs all operate independently of LADBS. Contractors who treat the two as interchangeable lose weeks. We have worked under this permitting system for over thirty years.
The team that draws your plan builds it
Tom stays on every project from the site walk through the final irrigation check. What you approve on paper is what gets installed. No handoffs between a design firm and a separate contractor
Coastal expertise, not generic Westside work
The difference between a property on 4th Street near Palisades Park and a property on 26th Street closer to Lincoln runs wider than the distance suggests in terms of coastal exposure, sun pattern, and plant performance. We design for actual microclimate conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Santa Monica use its own permit system for landscape projects?
What plants work best near the beach in Ocean Park and Sunset Park?
How long does a landscape project take in Santa Monica?
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