Front Yard as Community Hub: A San Clemente Ocean-View Gathering Place

In a Southern California beach town with an ocean view, the front yard becomes the natural gathering spot. "The front is where friends and neighbors gather," says Sacha McCrae, homeowner and principal of Living Gardens Landscape Design. "The back is intimate family space."

Yard at a Glance
Residents: Sacha McCrae, husband Rob, son Josh
Location: San Clemente, CA
Size: 4,600 sq ft combined front and back

The Front Yard: Zoned Destinations

Four years ago, the existing patio against the house remained, but the deck and fire pit areas were an overgrown mess. McCrae created three distinct zones — a stone patio, a raised deck, and a fire pit seating area — each a destination.

To capture the Pacific view, she built an ipe deck 6 inches off the ground. Furnishings play off the patio's soft colors.

A succulent garden in a painted wood frame adds texture. An 8-foot trellis (treated/painted 2x4s and conduit pipe) replaced a solid fence — bower vines (Pandorea jasminoides) now provide a lush green backdrop. Everything on drip irrigation, manually operated to water only when needed.

The fire pit area is a kid favorite — gravel forgives s'mores drips. Stepping stones edge the driveway with elfin thyme (Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin') in the gaps: drought-tolerant, foot-traffic-friendly, summer-blooming.

The Backyard: Functional Zones

Also zoned: lounging, cooking/dining patio, hot tub, veggie garden, workspace. Succulents and grasses surround the lounge.

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