How about cork oak? (if you're able to find it) As far as desert trees, I think you're thinking of Palo Verde. I think it would meet all your needs. If you were willing to have fruit, a fig tree could be another option, but they can get messy if you don't harvest all the fruit before it falls to the ground (unless you got a male fig tree). Pakistan mulberry might be another option, this variety is more tolerant to heat, and mulberry trees have beautiful shade leaf foliage, but again, if you don't pick all those mulberries it can be messy. Last one to mention is a "California pepper tree" (actually originates from Peru). It's a medium-fast grower and is fairly drought tolerant. But a word of caution, if you do supply it with a lot of water for many years and it does grow big, but then it goes years without any water at all, it will suffer drought stress and become susceptible to disease. Only the bush-level trees that haven't grown to a huge size are truly fully drought tolerant. They can drop a lot of leaves and little red berries, so can be a bit messy. Pepper trees also put out a lot of surface roots, so it's unlikely you're going to plant anything below it. Before you plant one, I'd rub the leaves across the top of your hand because there are a small number of people who have a contact allergy to the leaves. They can be a beautiful medium small tree.

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Much closer to Ventura Co. is a place in Van Nuys that was recommended a year or two ago, here, and where I found my mythical green soapstone. They have an amazing selection of marbles, as well as some of the most interesting granites I've seen. Marble Unlimited is near Saticoy and Van Nuys. They only "sell" to fabricators, but are very nice to the public, will show you around, and they'll handle the sale on behalf of the fabricator so that your stone can be moved to the fabricator's shop right away. Marble Unlimited www.marbleunlimitedinc.com 14554 Keswick Street Van Nuys, CA 91405-1293 (323) 873-4243 All that said, you don't really need an amazing yard for Calcutta or Carrera. Everywhere should have them. You need an amazing fabricator/installer. Find your artisan first. He might have a yard or three he does business with regularly who will go the extra step for you because you're his client, and may give you the better price because you're getting it at the commercial rate. Unfortunately, I don't have any recommendations for fabricators. I can put you in touch with my tile setter (also in the Valley) who has some fabricators who do amazing work but take their merry old time. If you have patience, and can't find someone good nearer to you, send me an e-mail.

I have a few. State College Distributor is where I get all of my tile, but they also have slabs. Not a huge inventory, but they have some decent choices. Ask for George S. if you go there. Across the street from them is a huge stone yard and they deal in more exotic slabs. There is a place in Walnut where I've gone and purchased slabs. it's called Color Marble and it's right off the 60fwy at the 57. they actually have decent prices, especially if you deal in cash. Last time I went they had rows and rows of quartzite and marble. I know NoHo also has many stone yards, but I don't remember the names.