From your description, it sounds like an absolutely ideal location for succulent landscaping. The hot dry climate will really help things grow, and the slope is great for helping our winter rains drain off without causing any trouble.

The real question is a how much work you want to do and how much you want to spend. Doing some hardscaping, like placing some large rock outcrops, will make it look really nice (as Caudex's photo's attest too), but that will obviously be hard and expensive. However, the rock will provide some structure so that you can plant smaller things without them looking orphaned or getting washed out. It will also reduce the number of plants you need for it to look finished.

If you don't want to do go through all that, you could go for more of a desert scrub kind of look. A couple large Agaves will give the garden some structure and interest, and you could fill in the emptier areas with some small cacti and xerix shrubs (go native, they'll do better). Just so you know, mature, landscape sized succulents are pretty darn expensive.

You might go visit some local gardens, or just drive around some neighborhoods looking various styles that appeal to you.

I would create several parallel paths along the entire width of the yard so you can get up there and safely tend, weed, etc. Even if you only do it once a year, it will make things so much easier. Trust me, I have 2 slopes of those size and having paths in place makes a huge difference (its way safer for you, too).

Then I would start collecting aloes and agaves to my hearts content. Buy several of each kind of plant and group them--they'll look so much better than a one-of-each situation.

Dont plant trees.It's tempting,but one day they will grow and all your C&S will not thrive. That slope is ideal for a dry garden.

Thanks for the tips. I thought about switchback trails, even though you have to walk farther to reach some places, but the straight across ones may be better. The rocks in the other post look great. They can be expensive, but sometimes when you're looking for something, it just may show up on the curb nearby, lol. The plants won't cost much. There are lots of agaves around here and a couple friends (and I) love succulents and have a big variety in our yards. I make birdhouses, and will try to make them work up there too. Linda