Landscape Design in San Francisco & Marin County
The difference between a nice garden and an amazing one lies in its design. A blank backyard can be daunting, and an established one that never quite works can be worse. FYGN creates landscape design for San Francisco and Marin homes that fits the site, the microclimate and the way you live — and then we build it.
We've designed, built and cared for gardens across San Francisco and Marin County since 2001. Bring us a blank slate or a concept you already love; we'll draw up the possibilities and bring them to life. We do the dirty part. You get the symphony.
Landscape Design Built for Your Site and Microclimate
San Francisco and Marin gardens don't share one climate. A foggy Sea Cliff lot, a sunny Bernal Heights backyard and a shady Mill Valley hillside each need a different plan. Good landscape design starts with the site:
- Sun, fog and wind: which parts of the property bake, which stay cool, and where plants need shelter
- Slope and drainage: where water goes in a storm, and how to keep it away from the house
- Soil: what's there now, and what it needs to support healthy plants
- How you'll use the space: dining, play, privacy, entertaining, or a quiet place to sit
We design for sustainability, biodiversity and our local climate, so the garden looks good and holds up through dry summers and wet winters.
What Our Landscape Designs Include
Every design ties together the pieces that make a garden work as a whole:
- Planting plans built around California natives and drought-tolerant plants matched to your microclimate
- Hardscape: patios, stone paths, retaining walls and water features (see Hardscape Construction)
- Drainage and erosion control designed in from the start, not added after the first storm
- Smart irrigation that waters by zone and weather without wasteful runoff (see Smart Irrigation Management)
- Landscape lighting for paths, patios and evening atmosphere (see Landscape Lighting)
Our Design-Build Process
From the initial consultation through bid and build, every project gets the same care.
- Consultation. We meet on site, talk through your goals, and look at what's working and what isn't.
- Site assessment. We study sun, slope, soil, drainage and existing plants.
- Design. We draw up design possibilities, or help refine a concept you bring us.
- Bid. You get a clear proposal for building the design.
- Build. Our crew installs everything from grading and drainage to planting, stonework and irrigation. See Installation.
- Care. We can keep the garden healthy for the long run with ongoing maintenance.
Because the same team designs and builds, nothing gets lost between the plan and the finished garden.
Sustainable Landscape Design
Our landscape design follows ReScape's 8 Principles of Regenerative Design: Act Local, Reduce Waste, Nurture Soil, Sequester Carbon, Save Water, Conserve Energy, Protect Water & Air, and Create Habitat. In practice, that means native plant selection, drought-resistant planting, efficient water delivery, and organic pest control instead of toxic sprays. Learn more about our methods.
Design Partnership for Larger Projects
Depending on the scale of your garden, FYGN designs in-house or in partnership with landscape designer Michael Bovarnick, whose unique perspective and commitment to sustainable design impress us. Either way, FYGN builds the finished garden.
Landscape Design Projects in San Francisco & Marin
See what thoughtful design looks like on real properties:
- Sea Cliff, San Francisco
- Bernal Heights Backyard, San Francisco
- Cozy Urban Oasis, San Francisco
- Mill Valley, Marin County
- Ross Valley hillside, Marin County
- Tiburon, Marin County
Browse the full Garden Tour.
Landscape Design FAQ
Do you design and build, or only design?
Both. FYGN designs the landscape and our own crew builds it, so the plan and the installation stay in one set of hands.
Do you work with native plants?
Yes. We specialize in California native and drought-tolerant plants matched to each property's microclimate.
Can you work with a design I already have?
Yes. We can refine an existing concept or plan and build it.
What areas do you serve?
San Francisco and Marin County.