Service area
Landscaping in Santa Barbara, CA
Reyes Gardening Services builds and maintains yards across Santa Barbara, from hillside lots on the Riviera to flat city lots on the Eastside and Westside.
Santa Barbara is mostly slope. On the Riviera and in Hidden Valley, a yard often can't be planted until the ground is held back or regraded, so retaining walls, terracing, and drainage usually come first. The projects below show what that looks like, including a hillside that was cleared, regraded, and finished as a level pad.
Closer to the water, on the Mesa, salt air and the marine layer are harder on wood, metal, and plants than the weather inland. We pick decking, hardware, and plants that can take it, and we use drip irrigation so beds aren't soaked every morning when the air is already damp.
Most of the year's rain falls in a few storms between November and March, so drainage gets planned before anything else goes in. For the dry months, the yards we redo tend to move away from lawn toward gravel, decomposed granite, and low-water plants like agave and salvia. If you want help after the work is done, we also run weekly and bi-weekly maintenance in Santa Barbara.
Recent work
Projects in Santa Barbara
Decking
Redwood Spa Deck Build
Santa Barbara, CA
Decking
Ipe Deck & Sun Lounge
Santa Barbara, CA
Hardscape
Gravel Garden with Agave & Stone Steps
Santa Barbara, CA
Drainage
Hillside Regrade & Drainage Pad
Santa Barbara, CA
Hardscape
Gravel & Salvia Garden Path
Santa Barbara, CA
Decking
Cedar Deck & Hot Tub
Santa Barbara, CA
Hardscape
Front Yard Landscape & Stone Steps
Santa Barbara, CA
Hardscape
Curbside Planters & DG Garden Path
Santa Barbara, CA
Hardscape
Flagstone Patio & Privacy Hedge
Santa Barbara, CA
Hardscape
Twilight Patio Dining with Landscape Lighting
Santa Barbara, CA
Hardscape
Lit Retaining Wall & Garden Bed
Santa Barbara, CA
Hardscape
Aerial Hillside Terracing
Santa Barbara, CA
Hardscape
Terraced Garden with Lawn & Gravel Paths
Santa Barbara, CA
DG Pathways
Stepping Stone Path with River Stone Border
Santa Barbara, CA
DG Pathways
Modern Stepping Stone & Turf Grid
Santa Barbara, CA
Outdoor Living
Lit Palm Trees — Night Landscape Lighting
Santa Barbara, CA
Outdoor Living
Lit Garden Walkway at Night
Santa Barbara, CA
Reviews
What neighbors say
"Gerson and his team have been a pleasure to work with. Their knowledge of plants and Santa Barbara soils is vast and very helpful when you are trying to execute on an idea without making any costly mistakes. Gerson is very honest about what will and won't work."
Kelsey Wyatt
6 years ago · Google review
"I highly recommend Gerson for any home project needs. He responded promptly to my initial call and arrived exactly when his text ETA indicated. After a professional introduction, Gerson assessed my request for a backyard project and got it done right."
Ricardo Cisneros
2 months ago · Google review
"They did an amazing job — and quickly! Gerson and his crew dug out our old plants and put in a beautiful patio! They were wonderful to work with and I couldn't be happier with the results!"
Paige Kaye
a year ago · Google review
Local questions
Santa Barbara landscaping questions
My Santa Barbara lot is on a slope. Where do you start?
With the water. We look at where rain runs across the lot and where it collects, then decide on walls, terracing, or drains before we plan any patio or planting. Fixing the grade first keeps new work from shifting later.
Can I keep some lawn and still use less water?
Yes. A common approach is to keep a smaller lawn where the family actually uses it and replace the rest with gravel, DG paths, and drought-tolerant plants on drip.
Do you do both construction and regular yard care?
Yes. Gerson's crew builds patios, walls, decks, fences, drainage, and irrigation, and also runs weekly and bi-weekly maintenance. Some clients start with a project or a big cleanup and then stay on for upkeep.
What we do
Services we offer in Santa Barbara
Hardscaping & Masonry
Flagstone patios, pavers, retaining walls, walkways, and stone seat walls that give the garden its architecture.
Drainage Systems
French drains, surface drains, and regrading that direct water away from your foundation and prevent erosion.
Decking
Redwood, ipe, and composite decks with built-in benches and railings, engineered for the coastal climate.
DG Pathways
Decomposed granite and gravel paths — clean, permeable, low-maintenance walkways that fit the Santa Barbara aesthetic.
Also in Santa Barbara: Irrigation & Drip Systems, Outdoor Living Spaces & Lighting, Fencing, Lawn & Garden Maintenance.
Free Consultation
Get a free estimate in Santa Barbara
Tell us about your project and Gerson Reyes will follow up to schedule an on-site visit.