We recently bought a property with half an acre in San Diego area. We don't have much budget left for yard improvements, but there are many things we'd like to accomplish. We have a long flagpole driveway, with garage at back (which we never use), so thinking about some kind of parking pad, since street parking is not really an option. Do we move gate to keep parking outside of yard? Or put parking inside of yard? Also thinking about moving the pedestrian gate to be more central in fence line, with a path to front door. Right now, people walk up the driveway. Flagstone (which already is at entrance)? DG? Pea gravel? What kind of spaces should we create? We are ready to get rid of guava bushes up front and little magnolia tree, as well as old, dying apricot. Also, our grass is sad due to watering restrictions, and though we'd still like some grass, we would like less of it. I don't want anything fussy. My aesthetic is more clean, modern lines, or French (or even Austin) farmhouse, although this house is more ranch meets Spanish Colonial. And the driveway/pedestrian gate are part of this "style struggle". I am paralyzed with where to start. We only have about $10K to play with right now.

Save your money for the water bills and water your favorite trees. You will appreciate the shade. Can you use the existing drive for parking?

Everyone's yard is split into public and private, utilitarian and aesthetic. Obviously, your front yard is public, though areas screened from the road can be considered private. Side yards are more often utilitarian, being home to air conditioners and trash bins, but sometimes these types of items are in the front yard. Try to keep utilitarian areas and items out of view of aesthetic areas.

Parking is a utilitarian need, but it can be made more aesthetic. I recommend you create a parking area off your driveway by paving an area large enough for at least 2 cars. You should put tough, evergreen shrubs at the front of this area to prevent people from parking too far forward onto your lawn. Either add a walkway from this area to your main walkway or continue the shrubs around to force people to walk up your driveway to reach your door. If you don't block an obvious path, people will take the shortcut. You could start out with crushed gravel contained with timber or the concrete edging used around your planting bed then top it with concrete later. You will need a gravel base regardless.

Do a search on houzz for drought resistant or drought tolerant plants. There are some articles with a wealth of heat and drought tolerant ground cover perennials. [HERE[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/10-fall-blooming-shrubs-for-southwest-gardens-stsetivw-vs~74628630) is one I like, and [HERE[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/10-essential-native-shrubs-for-southwestern-gardens-stsetivw-vs~70830667) is another. There are also many articles that highlight a single species of plant. Check with local nurseries to see what they suggest. Make note which areas of your yard get sun all day and which get some shade, especially afternoon shade. I would concentrate plantings in the bare area close to your fence, but remember that no matter how drought tolerant a plant is it will need irrigation for the first year. The use of a soaker hose can ensure water is applied where it is needed.

When choosing plants for a large yard mix them in groups of 3 or more, repeating plants and colors across an area. Mix together plants that bloom at different times of the year so there is always something of interest. Do not try to plant your entire yard. Concentrate on an area that needs help the most.

Thank you, Mindshift. That is a great solution! I really like the path from the parking area. And you're so right about people finding the shortcut. That's already happening. And it seems like an economical way to start, without having to move/add a gate and an extremely long path from the front fence. I have just been overwhelmed with where to begin, but planting along the fence was something we had considered, extending a mulched area into the yard to minimize the lawn. Some of the existing plants are kind of random (like the straight line of guavas), so I would be happy to see these go.