Do a search for "drywell". Flo-well is a nice easy to handle drywell that is available at a lot of home centers. I used them for residential downspouts quite a bit when I did installs. They come as flat panels that snap together and form a perforated tank. There is a lid and knock outs for piping. You have to complete it by surrounding it with drain rock and fabrick to keep soil from infiltrating into the rock from the top and sides. Then you can bury it and no one will know it is there provided that it is big enough to handle the water.

Don't know where you are getting your info but I do not know of any California native grass species that grows THREE INCHES OR LESS TALL! At least any that I have seen commercially available. Most California grasses are bunch grasses and these are the species that occur in meadows in the state. The meadows are an assortment of mixed annuals, biennials, and perennials with varying degrees of preponderance of two to three bunch grass species thrown into the view. Carex pansa-California Meadow Sedge Click here to read short info bit This sedge species according to Munz, A California Flora, can grow from 6 inches to 12 inches tall. It is found naturally along the coast in what Munz describes as Coastal Strand communities. What this means is that the species is found in areas that are cool and subject to coastal fog year round and may never experience any freezing weather though may reach the upper 30sF. This plant IS NOT A MEADOW PLANT. California meadows are summer dryland plants and can be exposed to broad ranges in temps each day from lows in the 50sF during summer with highs commonly in the 80sF to 90sF. Sedges are not really lawn type plants as they tend to spread rather than form a tight bedding of stems, though they can be forced to mat out by restricting the area in which they can spread. My personal experience with Carex species is that they spread out and in so doing the older stems die out as the rhizomes spread out. This link California grasslands passed off as meadows by the CNPS has an image of the Carex species and recommendations on planting etc. This site defines meadows that I define are grasslands, more akin to prairies,and not meadows which is a more open stand of plants with a preponderance of grass species. But that is just my bent on the definition. Here is a link that might be useful: Larner Seeds

I agree with froggy on this one - tough rocky soil is better than rich soil for a nice wildflower meadow. In the northeast, most of the pretty wildflower and grass patches you might see in the wild exist at least in part because the soil is bad. In addition to bad soil, some sort of repeated disturbance is needed to keep out woody plants. Without disturbance your meadow will turn into shrubs then into a forest. Bad soil means that the disturbance won't have to be as frequent as it would with rich soil. Also, rich soil is great for plants that are adapted for rapid growth in high-nutrient, disturbed conditions. These plants are also known as weeds. If your soil is rocky, maybe it is also excessively drained, which will help reduce weed growth. I wouldn't bother to remove the rocks unless they will interefere with your chosen method of "disturbance." For most of us, disturbance means mowing, and rocks could be a problem for the mower. However, you might have the option of using something besides a standard lawn mower, which really isn't great choice anyway ( I find it mows too low even when on the highest setting and can scalp some perennials), in which case rocks might not be a big concern. Many of the showiest wildflowers are at home in poor, rocky, sunny places. I'd include butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa), Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum) in your mix. The grass everyone chooses is Little bluestem, but you could also try Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and maybe Sideoats Grama (Boueteloua curtipendula). Other wildflowers such as Goldenrods and Asters will introduce themselves. Good Luck!

Peter, I have been thinking about your question. Planting seed in the fall is the best way. My approach, now, would be to start driving the back roads and collecting fresh seed from the roadside 'weed' plants that have struggled in the heat to survive. Many of them are just coming into bloom, such as the native Liatris and goldenrod, so it will be a while before they set seed. And, as you find them, sow them. There really are some beautiful weeds to be found and the seed is free. Some of it will establish and reseed every year. Some are perennial. Right now, the stores are selling out their out-of-date seed packs for pennies. Look for: Gazania, Anthemis tinctoria, Guara, Baptisia australis, Helianthus simulans, Asclepias tuberosa, Solidago types, Ruellia Brittoniana seeds. Many of the ornamental grasses will grow in your situation. These are easily available at Home Depot, etc. I would suggest that collecting and fall sowing your own fresh seed is probably the best method.