Contra Costa County
Hardscape Contractor in San Ramon
5.0 on Google · 6 reviewsSan Ramon is mostly newer construction on compact, builder-graded lots. The yards are workable but rarely finished: bare side yards, a slab where a patio should be, and grading that pushes water to one corner. Most projects here turn an unfinished builder yard into usable outdoor space in one pass.

Alfonso, ownerDoes every San Ramon estimate himself · Licensed CA #1118886

Work near San Ramon
What started as a fence and retaining wall repair turned into a full backyard rebuild: a 14' x 17' paver patio with a gazebo, a pressure-treated wood retaining wall with a built-in bench seat, replanted hillside and steps that make the steep slope safe to walk.
"My wife and I recently hired Golden Hills Landscaping for a fence and retaining wall repair project that ultimately evolved into a complete backyard makeover. We could not be happier with the results. … The scope of ..."
Alfonso responds right away.
What we see on local properties
- Builder grading commonly sends runoff to a single low corner that needs a defined drain path.
- Compact yards benefit from planning hardscape, planting and irrigation together rather than in stages.
- Side yards are natural candidates for combined walkway and drainage work.
- Newer developments often have architectural guidelines for materials and fencing.
- Hot summers make correct irrigation zoning worth the attention.
Services that fit this area

Paver Driveways
A driveway that handles daily vehicle weight and still looks sharp in ten years.

Concrete Driveways & Flatwork
Clean, correctly jointed concrete poured on a base that was prepared properly.

Patios & Walkways
Outdoor space you actually use, laid flat, drained and finished with clean edges.

Full Yard Renovations
One crew, one plan — hardscape, planting, lighting and irrigation rebuilt together.

Drainage & Grading
Move water away from the house before it turns into a bigger problem.

Irrigation Systems
Water the plants, not the sidewalk — with zones that match how your yard is planted.
Coverage
We serve San Ramon as part of our Contra Costa County coverage, working from our base in Bay Point. Licensed California contractor #1118886, bonded and insured, English and Spanish.
Nearby: Danville, Blackhawk, Pleasanton.
San Ramon permits, HOA review and soil
Permits
- City of San Ramon permit centerSan Ramon is its own city, so permits go through the City of San Ramon. We confirm requirements for your address before the estimate is final.
- Retaining wallsWalls over 4 feet (bottom of footing to top) or walls holding back a slope, driveway or structure generally need a permit and engineering. Lower garden walls usually do not.
- Driveway aprons and curb cutsWidening a driveway at the street, changing the curb or working in the sidewalk is public right-of-way work and typically needs an encroachment permit.
HOA submittals
- Most newer neighborhoods have an HOADougherty Valley neighborhoods like Gale Ranch and Windemere, plus many older subdivisions, have design guidelines for front yards, driveways and visible walls.
- What a submittal usually includesA simple site plan, paver or concrete color and pattern, wall block style, and how drainage is handled. Front-yard and driveway work is reviewed most closely. We prepare the drawings and product info.
- TimingReview boards often meet monthly, so we recommend submitting before scheduling the start date.
Soil notes
- Expansive clay valley floorMuch of San Ramon sits on clay that heaves when wet. Driveways need a driveway-rated compacted aggregate base, and pavers handle the movement better than one large slab.
- Dougherty Valley fill and slopesNewer lots are often on graded fill with slopes at the back. Side yards hold water against the house; we set grades and drains so water leaves the lot before it reaches the foundation.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change and every lot differs — we confirm county, city and HOA requirements for your address as part of the free estimate.
Reputation
Customer feedback
5.0 on Google · 6 reviews“My wife and I recently hired Golden Hills Landscaping for a fence and retaining wall repair project that ultimately evolved into a complete backyard makeover. We could not be happier with the results. Alonso, the owner, was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He took our general ideas and turned them into a cohesive, functional outdoor design that beautifully complements our property while staying within our budget. The scope of the project included building a 14' x 17' patio area with a gazebo, installing a pressure-treated wood retaining wall, constructing a patio bench seat, landscaping our hillside, and building steps to provide safe access up our steep hill. The craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout the project were outstanding. Alonso and his team were consistently prompt and professional. Whenever unexpected issues arose, Alonso was transparent and communicated clearly about the situation, available options, and any associated costs. We greatly appreciated his honesty and commitment to delivering the highest quality work. My wife and I are thrilled with our new outdoor living space and look forward to enjoying it for years to come. Our only regret is that we didn't undertake this project 20 years ago when we first moved into our home. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Alonso and the entire Golden Hills Landscaping team and would highly recommend them to anyone considering an outdoor improvement project.”
“We recently replaced our concrete slab backyard with a stone paver patio at our home on Tanager Drive, and Alonso and his crew were fantastic. His quote was higher than others, but he earned the job by being methodical, available, and clearly capable. From the start he was thoughtful about the approach and helped us think through both design and execution. The project moved quickly and efficiently, and his crew was polite, professional, and detail-oriented. Alonso took initiative to fix small details without being asked, which really showed his pride in the work. One of the biggest value adds was his help with planning. He came with me to shop for stone, offered recommendations, and ultimately improved our original vision. The yard went from concrete to castle. The finished patio looks amazing and is one of our favorite spaces. I strongly recommend Alonso and his crew for any landscaping, yard work, or exterior renovation. Very grateful for his work and would absolutely hire him again.”
“Great work by Alfonso and his team! They did a beautiful job restoring retaining walls and walkways. I appreciated their professionalism at every step of the project: prompt response to my service request, clear plans, staying on schedule, and leaving the site clean. Thank you!”
“Had a great experience with Golden Hills Landscape. They installed pavers, irrigation, rocks, and sod in my backyard and did a fantastic job. Super professional, great prep work, and everything was done in a timely manner. Pricing was very fair. The yard looks amazing--would definitely use them again and highly recommend.”
“Viktor listened to my concerns about my cracked driveway and came up with a creative, cost-effective solution that worked perfectly. The team worked tirelessly from morning until night and never skipped a day, staying on schedule and completing the job within the proposed time period. The quality of the work was outstanding--my driveway looks beautiful now, and the entire process was seamless.”
Google reviews above are pulled live from our Google Business Profile and shown unedited. Every quote links to the original review.
San Ramon questions
- Do you replace concrete or paver driveways in San Ramon?
- Yes. We tear out cracked or sunken concrete and build new paver or concrete driveways on a compacted base with proper slope for drainage. Asphalt work is assessed case by case during the free on-site estimate.
- Are you a landscaping company in San Ramon?
- Yes. We are a licensed landscape construction contractor (CA #1118886) building full landscaping projects in San Ramon: paver and stamped concrete patios, driveways, retaining walls, drainage, irrigation, sod and planting, handled by one owner-led crew.
- How much does a landscaping or patio project cost in San Ramon?
- It depends on the size of the area, slope and access, drainage, soil, how much old concrete or lawn comes out, and the materials you pick. We do not quote from a price list; Alfonso visits, measures and gives you a free written estimate.
- Do you serve San Ramon?
- Yes, San Ramon is inside our primary Contra Costa County service area.
- Can you finish a bare builder backyard?
- Yes. Grading, hardscape, drainage, irrigation and planting can be done in one sequence with one crew.
- Can you fix a yard that holds water?
- Usually. We look at where the water starts, correct the grade and route it to a legal outlet.
- Do you provide information for HOA approval?
- Yes, including layout details and material samples for architectural review.
Ready to Improve Your Outdoor Space?
Whether you’re planning a new driveway, patio, walkway, retaining wall, drainage system or complete outdoor renovation, Golden Hills can help you understand the right next step.
