La Jolla Cottage Garden Design - La Jolla, California.

“A Coastal Retreat Full of Charm”

La Jolla Cottage Garden – Custom Fence and Native Plant Border

Street view of La Jolla Cottage Garden with custom white fence and drought-tolerant plantings along the sidewalk.

Oval Terrace Design – Soft Geometry for Outdoor Living

Oval terrace with gravel surface and seating area framed by coastal plantings in La Jolla Shores.

Custom Garden Fence with Coastal Planting Palette

Front yard with special La Jolla Cottage Garden fence and lush drought-tolerant shrubs.

Coastal Planting Design for La Jolla Cottage Garden

Sidewalk planting with grasses, succulents, and coastal shrubs enhancing curb appeal.

Entry Path with Custom La Jolla Fence Design

Pathway framed by white cottage fence and layered planting leading to front entrance.

Oval Garden Terrace – Balanced Outdoor Space

Oval garden terrace with drought-tolerant plantings softening sharp edges of the yard.

California Cottage Front Garden with Coastal Plants

Front cottage view with ornamental grasses, palms, and curved garden beds.

Outdoor Living Terrace in La Jolla Shores

Seating terrace with brick accents, gravel surfacing, and native plantings.

Balanced Garden Corners with Oval Terraces

Shaded corner of the garden with oval terraces and softened planting design.

Coastal Planting at La Jolla Cottage Fence

Front yard planting with ornamental grasses and coastal shrubs against white fence.

La Jolla Cottage Garden – Front Entry Design

Cottage garden entry with curved planting beds and gravel terrace.

Oval gravel terrace viewed from above, framed by La Jolla Cottage Garden fence.

Oval Terrace Redesign in La Jolla Shores

Passion Fruit Vine at Garden Entry – Passiflora

Passion fruit vine (Passiflora) climbing on entry post in La Jolla Cottage Garden.

Signature Cottage Garden Fence – La Jolla Shores

Custom white La Jolla Cottage Garden fence with geometric cross-pattern design.

Nestled in the coastal community of La Jolla, this project reimagines a private garden into a cottage-style retreat where architecture, planting, and outdoor living come together as one. The design celebrates informal beauty, layered plantings, and timeless charm, offering both intimacy and openness in a space influenced by the California coast.

Design Philosophy – A Living, Evolving Garden

LASD Studio approached this project with the idea of designing a garden that feels alive, adaptive, and deeply personal. Inspired by the relaxed atmosphere of cottage gardens, the layout blends curved paths, seasonal blooms, and textured greenery, creating spaces that are never static but constantly shifting with time, light, and growth.

Key Design Elements

• Front Garden Welcome – Framing the cottage with flowering perennials, vines, and textured groundcovers to create a warm, inviting entry.

• Backyard Sanctuary – A layered planting palette of native and Mediterranean species provides habitat for pollinators and year-round interest.

• Outdoor Living Corners – Cozy seating areas, small patios, and shaded trellises for relaxation and gatherings.

• Pathways & Circulation – Meandering stone paths that guide visitors through the garden, emphasizing discovery and intimate views.

Planting Palette – Informal Elegance

The garden design incorporates California natives, drought-tolerant perennials, and cottage favorites like salvias, lavender, rosemary, and ornamental grasses. Flowering vines climb over trellises, while fragrant herbs add a sensory dimension. This planting strategy reduces water use while enhancing biodiversity.

A Garden for Daily Life

More than just a beautiful space, the La Jolla Cottage Garden is designed as a functional retreat for everyday living. Whether it’s morning coffee under a trellis, evening gatherings with friends, or quiet walks along planted borders, this garden reflects the lifestyle and spirit of its owners.

EXISTING CONDITION

PROJECT DESIGN DRAWINGS

Hardscape Design Plan – La Jolla Cottage Garden

Hardscape plan illustrating pathways, decomposed granite terraces, patio areas, and the custom La Jolla Cottage Garden fence design, ensuring functionality and balance in outdoor living.

La Jolla Cottage Garden Fence and Arbor Entrance Design

Detailed elevation drawing of custom La Jolla Cottage Garden wood fence and arbor entrance, featuring traditional cottage style detailing, gate, and trellis to frame the entry.

Detailed Planting Plan – La Jolla Cottage Garden

Planting plan with species such as Passiflora vine, lavender, salvias, grevilleas, and ornamental grasses, creating a drought-tolerant cottage-style garden in La Jolla Shores, San Diego.

Existing Condition Site Plan – La Jolla Cottage Garden

Existing condition landscape plan for McCulloch Residence in La Jolla Shores, documenting current layout, property boundaries, and existing structures before garden redesign.

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The La Jolla Cottage Garden is more than a design — it’s a living sanctuary. Every curve, trellis, and bloom was chosen to enrich daily life, blending coastal resilience with timeless charm. It is a garden that grows with its owners, evolving season by season, becoming not just a backdrop but a true extension of home and spirit.