Stone Serenity: Terracing a Sloped Backyard with Bay Views

Location Bay Area, CA

Scope Backyard transformation

Before the redesign, this hillside backyard was steep, overgrown, and largely unusable—a tangled, busy space that offered little opportunity for enjoyment or connection. Through thoughtful transformation, the landscape has been reimagined into a serene sanctuary where nature and architecture harmonize to create inviting, functional spaces.

A series of carefully crafted terraces carve gently into the hillside, providing tranquil areas for lounging and relaxation while capturing breathtaking views of the bay. Stone retaining walls anchor the design, both stabilizing the earth and introducing elegant architectural elements that define the space with subtle strength and timeless beauty. Winding stone steps and gravel pathways weave through the garden, guiding visitors on a leisurely journey from one peaceful moment to the next.

At the pinnacle of the yard, a hanging bench invites quiet contemplation or intimate conversation, perfectly positioned to overlook the shimmering bay below. It's a place to pause, breathe, and take in the expansive view—framed by thoughtfully layered plantings and dappled sunlight.

The material palette centers around a neutral, grounding stone hardscape that allows the vibrant plantings to shine. Carefully selected to suit each unique microclimate within the garden, the plants bring seasonal color, texture, and life, softening the architecture and enhancing the sense of calm throughout the landscape.

Thoughtful lighting design is woven seamlessly into the architecture, casting a warm, inviting glow that extends the garden's tranquility well into the evening hours.

This transformed backyard is more than a landscape. It is a living retreat that balances beauty and function, history and modernity, stillness and movement. It invites moments of peace and connection, becoming a cherished extension of home that nurtures the spirit and soothes the soul.

(Designed while working with MLA)

Terraced Serenity with a Bay ViewCream-colored stone steps with a hand-chiseled edge rise through the hillside, gravel paths winding between them. The soft, cool tones were chosen deliberately — a calm counterpoint to the warmer stone of the existing retaining wall below. Boulder walls create layered garden spaces on either side, bringing both stability and calm to this sloped backyard. At the top, a bench hangs from a grand cedar, a place to stop, sit, and take in the view beyond.

View Toward the Swinging Bench with Layered PlantingThis upward view reveals the steepness of the hillside, giving context to the terracing seen throughout the landscape. The eye follows the gentle rise of plantings, chartreuse and burgundy shrubs paired with flowering perennials, leading toward the swinging bench suspended beneath a mature cedar. The tree's broad trunk is visible on the left, a quiet presence that speaks to the age and scale of the site. What was once difficult to navigate is now a landscape of movement, purpose, and ease.

Terraced Design for Play and PerspectiveA steep slope transformed into a layered, livable landscape. Stone steps and boulder retaining walls create distinct levels: a lawn for play and gathering, a paving terrace for dining and relaxing, and a swinging bench beneath a mature cedar perfectly placed to take in the views. Soft path lights trace the pathways, and an uplight hints at the garden's gentle glow as day turns to dusk. A once-unusable hillside, now full of places to play, gather, dine, and just be.

A Quiet Corner: Flagstone Patio and Natural Stone WallBefore this hillside was transformed, the backyard was steep, overgrown, and nearly impossible to use. Through careful terracing, the slope was carved into a series of distinct spaces, each with its own purpose. This flagstone patio is one of those spaces. Two chairs face the garden and the bay views beyond, tucked against a dry stack stone wall that anchors the hillside with strength and character. Gravel pathways with stone risers wind between the levels, connecting each terrace to the next, while layered plantings soften every edge. The warm stone hardscape grounds the space while the garden and the view take center stage. From crumbling walls and an overgrown slope to a backyard full of places to gather, relax, and linger, and play.

Crafted Retaining Walls and Inviting DetailsA closer look at one of the boulder retaining walls reveals the natural, well-balanced arrangement of stones that give the structure character and strength. Modern path lights softly illuminate the stone steps and new plantings nearby, while the green lawn of the lower terrace stretches below. Every element in view: the wall, the steps, the plantings, the lawn, chosen to serve its purpose and be beautiful to observe.

Graceful Curve and Garden LayersThis view showcases the beautiful curve of the retaining wall at the back of the grassy terrace, which together with the sturdy boulder wall at its front, defines the lawn with natural, flowing lines. The boulder walls provide essential structural support for the hillside while adding rustic beauty and texture. A carefully chosen mix of shrubs and flowering perennials brings seasonal color and softness, balancing the strong stone elements. Structure and beauty, working together.

Terraced Plantings Framed by StoneFrom this low perspective near the front retaining wall, the layered design of the hillside garden comes into view. The foreground is framed by boulders that define the lower grassy terrace, while a second retaining wall rises at the back, creating structure and depth. A rich mix of plantings—flowering perennials, ornamental shrubs, and soft green lawn—brings texture and seasonal interest to the space. Up close, the craftsmanship of the stonework is clear. Each boulder placed to hold the hillside and look like it always belonged there.

Boulder Retaining Walls and Terraced Lawn on a Hillside BackyardBoulder retaining walls hold the hillside in place while creating something worth lingering in. Each level has its own purpose — space for dining, for gathering, for play. A lawn terrace sits at the heart of the garden, bordered by flowering perennials and deep burgundy foliage that bring color and life through the seasons. Low-voltage path lighting is woven into the stonework, carrying the warmth of the garden well into the evening.

Before: Overgrown Hillside at BaseTaken from below, this photo shows the original condition of the site, a hillside densely covered with overgrown shrubs and unmanaged vegetation. The steep slope and thick plant growth limited usability and obscured the natural potential of the backyard before the landscape transformation began.

Before: Uninviting Steps and Overgrown SlopeFrom this vantage point below the existing retaining wall, worn and unattractive steps lead partway up the hillside, surrounded by dense, overgrown vegetation. The space appears neglected and unusable, with little sense of purpose or accessibility before the redesign transformed it into a functional outdoor living area.

Before: Overgrown Hillside with Existing Stone Retaining WallThe backyard before the redesign — a steep, overgrown hillside with dense, unmanaged vegetation covering the slope. Little usable space, no sense of purpose or flow. The potential was there. It just needed a plan.

Before: Overgrown Garden from AboveThis view from above the steps reveals a densely overgrown garden, with unruly plants and shrubs crowding the hillside. The lack of structure and maintenance left the space feeling chaotic and difficult to enjoy before the landscape redesign introduced order and usability.

Before: Failing Retaining Walls and Overgrown VegetationThis photo reveals the site's early condition, where unfinished and crumbling retaining walls struggle to hold back the hillside. Bare dirt patches mix with unruly, overgrown plants, illustrating the challenges of stabilizing the slope and creating usable outdoor space before the comprehensive landscape redesign.

During Installation: Clearing and PreparationThis image captures the early phase of the installation, where many of the existing overgrown plants have been removed to prepare the site for regrading and terracing. A shovel resting on the ground highlights the hands-on nature of the work underway, marking the transition from an unmanaged slope to a carefully designed landscape.

During Installation: Constructing an Upper Retaining WallThis photo captures workers building the retaining wall located on the left side, at the top of the main stone steps and pathway. The site is cleared of overgrown vegetation, with the new terraces beginning to take shape. This stage is crucial in stabilizing the hillside and establishing structured, usable outdoor areas.

Boulder Retaining Wall Under ConstructionThis photo shows the boulder retaining wall partially built, with carefully selected boulders of varying sizes arranged nearby, ready for placement. The wall's formation highlights the skillful balance between structure and natural aesthetics as it begins to shape the hillside into stable, usable terraces.

Stone Steps Installation and Planting ProgressThis photo highlights the stone steps set firmly in place with concrete, providing safe and stable access up the hillside. Alongside the steps, newly placed plants await installation, while other shrubs and perennials already establish the garden's emerging character. The retaining wall on the left frames the pathway, reinforcing the terrace structure and guiding movement through the landscape.