Custom Water Features & Pool Landscaping That Creates a Backyard Paradise

Your pool is installed, but something’s missing. The concrete feels cold. The space looks unfinished. Neighbors drive by and see potential instead of paradise. You’re stuck with a functional pool that doesn’t deliver the resort experience you dreamed about.

Here’s the truth: pools without thoughtful landscaping and water features feel incomplete. They lack the magic that transforms a backyard into a destination. That’s where California Custom Pools’ landscape and water feature team steps in.

We don’t just add plants around your pool. We create immersive environments where every element works together, from cascading waterfalls to dramatic lighting that makes evening swims feel like you’re at a luxury resort.

✔️ Award-Winning Landscape Design 

✔️ Custom Water Feature Creation

✔️ California Climate Expertise

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Get Free Quote POOL WATER FEATURE SPECIALISTS

What You Get:

  • Free design consultation
  • 3D landscape visualization
  • Custom water feature design
  • Material & plant selection
  • Detailed project timeline
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Our Water Features & Landscaping Services

From drought-resistant plant selections to water-efficient systems, we create beautiful environments that thrive year-round without breaking your water budget.

Custom Waterfalls & Rock Features

Natural stone waterfalls that look like they belong in your landscape, not dropped from another planet. Grottos, spillover spas, stream beds, and boulder features that add the soothing sounds and visual movement that make your pool feel alive.

Tile & Coping Replacement

Update your pool’s style with contemporary tile designs and new coping materials. From classic travertine to modern glass tiles, we’ll give your pool edges the upgrade they deserve.

Fire & Water Combinations

Nothing creates drama quite like fire dancing above water. Fire bowls, sconces, and torches create ambiance while providing warmth for evening entertaining. Custom gas lines, automatic lighting controls, and weather-resistant materials ensure reliable operation for years.

Smart Outdoor Lighting Systems

Strategic lighting extends your pool season into evening hours and creates an atmosphere that rivals resort settings. Underwater LED systems, landscape spot lights, pathway illumination, and accent features with automated controls that adapt to seasons and occasions.

Drought-Resistant Landscaping

Beautiful doesn’t have to mean thirsty. We specialize in California-native plants that thrive with minimal water while providing year-round color and texture. Succulents, ornamental grasses, flowering shrubs, and shade trees are carefully selected for water efficiency and local climate adaptability.

Pool Area Landscape Design

Cohesive design that considers how every element connects, from pool shape to seating areas to privacy screens. Mediterranean, tropical, desert, modern, or classical themes that reflect your style while working with Southern California’s climate.

Why Choose Our Water Features & Landscaping Services

When your backyard is supposed to be your escape from the world, every detail matters. Cookie-cutter solutions won’t create the personal paradise you’re dreaming about.

Pool Industry Expertise

We’re not general landscapers who happen to work around pools. We specialize in creating outdoor environments centered around water features. We understand how pools, spas, water features, and landscaping work together to create cohesive outdoor living environments.

Master Craftsmanship Meets Creative Vision

Our team includes artisans who’ve spent decades perfecting stone work, water feature engineering, and lighting design. When you combine technical expertise with artistic vision, the result is outdoor spaces that feel destination rather than decorated.

Sustainable & Climate Smart

Gorgeous landscaping shouldn’t mean sky-high water bills or constant maintenance. We design irrigation systems that maximize efficiency, select plants that thrive in California’s climate, and create low-maintenance beauty that lasts. Smart plant choices and automated systems mean you spend more time enjoying your backyard and less time working in it.

Value That Makes Sense

Premium materials and expert installation create water features and landscaping that last for decades, not just seasons. Natural stone water features that develop character with age, hardscape that weathers beautifully, and plants chosen for their longevity and mature beauty.

Project Coordination Made Simple

Juggling multiple contractors for different aspects of your project leads to finger-pointing, missed deadlines, and cost overruns. As your complete pool and landscape partner, we coordinate all elements seamlessly. One team, one timeline, one vision brought to life without the usual headaches.

Long-Term Partnership

Your backyard is an investment that should increase in value and beauty over time. We stand behind our work with comprehensive warranties, seasonal maintenance services, and plant guarantees. We’re here when you need seasonal adjustments, system upgrades, or simply want to add new features as your needs evolve.

Our Water Features & Landscaping Process

Site Analysis & Conceptual Design

We begin every project with a thorough assessment of your property’s unique characteristics. We analyze soil conditions, drainage patterns, sun exposure, wind patterns, and existing hardscaping to develop a master plan that maximizes your space’s potential.

Duration: 1-2 weeks • Deliverable: Site analysis report with concept sketches

 

Custom Design Development

Our design team creates detailed plans that address your specific vision, site challenges, and climate considerations. Water feature engineering, plant palettes, lighting schemes, and material selections are coordinated to create a cohesive outdoor living environment that looks natural and feels purposeful.

Duration: 2-3 weeks • Deliverable: Custom design plan with plant and material specifications

 

3D Design Visualization & Material Selection

Before a single shovel hits the ground, you’ll see exactly how your new outdoor space will look. Our 3D rendering technology allows you to virtually walk through your new landscape and see how different materials, plants, and lighting options will look in different seasons and lighting conditions.

Duration: 1-2 weeks • Deliverable: Final 3D visualizations and material sample board

 

Water Feature & Hardscape Installation

Our installation crews are specialists in both hardscape and water feature construction. Stone selection, cutting, and installation are done with meticulous attention to detail and artistic vision. Water features are engineered for longevity and efficiency, with proper drainage and circulation systems that prevent issues down the road.

Duration: 2-4 weeks • Deliverable: Completed hardscape and water features ready for planting

 

Plant Installation & Irrigation System Setup

Our certified landscape specialists handle all planting with precision, installing water-efficient irrigation systems that deliver the right amount of water to each zone without waste. Plants are positioned for optimal growth and visual impact, with consideration for mature sizes and seasonal changes.

Duration: 1-2 weeks • Deliverable: Complete landscape installation with functioning irrigation

 

Finishing Touches & System Testing

The final phase focuses on perfecting every detail and ensuring all systems operate perfectly. We fine-tune water feature flows, adjust lighting timing, calibrate irrigation zones for optimal plant health, and provide comprehensive training on system operation and maintenance best practices.

Duration: 1 week • Deliverable: Fully operational landscape with complete documentation and training

Considering a commercial pool design and construction project but worried about the finances? With HFS Home Improvement Loans, you can bring your vision to life without the financial strain. Our financing options are tailored for California custom pools, offering no stage funding, no equity or appraisal requirements, and no money down. With direct-to-consumer funding and terms up to 20 years, you can secure a personal loan that fits your budget. Start your custom pool project with peace of mind, knowing you have flexible and convenient financing options available. Let us help you transform your backyard into a luxurious oasis with ease.

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Contact Us Today

Ready to elevate your pool with stunning water features? Let’s make it happen. Call us today to schedule a consultation or simply to learn more. We’re here to help every step of the way.

At California Custom Pools, we don’t just add features to your pool—we transform it into a masterpiece. Let us help you create the pool and spa of your dreams!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does water feature and pool landscaping cost in California?

Water feature and landscaping projects in California typically range from $25,000 to $150,000+, depending on scope, materials, and complexity. A custom waterfall with basic landscaping starts around $35,000, while complete resort-style transformations with multiple water features, fire elements, and extensive plantings can exceed $100,000.

Most comprehensive water feature and landscaping projects take 6-12 weeks total, including design (2-4 weeks), hardscape and water feature installation (3-5 weeks), planting and irrigation (1-2 weeks), and final touches (1 week). Weather and project complexity can affect timelines

The best pool plants for Southern California are drought-tolerant, non-invasive species that won’t drop excessive debris into your pool. We recommend Mediterranean plants like lavender and rosemary, California natives like manzanita and ceanothus, and architectural plants like agave and palm trees.

Our landscape designers specialize in selecting plants that provide year-round beauty while thriving in California’s climate. We avoid plants with extensive root systems that could damage pool structures or high-maintenance species that require excessive water or pruning.

Yes! We provide comprehensive maintenance for all water features, irrigation systems, and landscaping we install. Our certified technicians understand every component of your outdoor environment and can provide seasonal adjustments, system repairs, plant care, and water feature maintenance.

Because we designed and built your landscape, we know exactly how every system operates and what each plant needs to thrive. This means more efficient service calls, readily available replacement parts, and maintenance technicians who understand your specific setup.

Absolutely! Many of our most dramatic transformations involve adding water features, fire elements, and enhanced landscaping to existing pools. We can retrofit waterfalls, add spillover spas, install fire bowls, upgrade lighting systems, and completely redesign your pool’s surrounding landscape.

California Custom Pools specializes in seamlessly integrating new features with existing structures. We assess your current setup and recommend additions that enhance your pool’s functionality and beauty while working within your space and budget constraints.

We design all water features with efficiency in mind, using variable-speed pumps, LED lighting, smart irrigation controllers, and recirculating systems that minimize water waste. Our drought-resistant plant selections and efficient irrigation zones reduce water consumption by up to 50% compared to traditional landscaping.

California Custom Pools stays current with the latest water-saving technologies and California’s evolving water regulations. We help you create stunning outdoor environments that are both environmentally responsible and cost-effective to operate long-term.