Sadly the Sago needs to go. It's poky and massive and too close to the walkway.

Too bad the pear didn't work out. Bradford pear may drop fruit and get fireblight but the fall color is outstanding, it's a good size for a small garden and flowers are pretty. Most any plant isn't perfect, need pruning, drop leaves, attract bees and/or hate getting stepped on and such. Any plants you do love? Walk around your neighborhood and take closeups of plants you like that are growing where there isn't much water. Either ask what it is or go to the nursery and find out what it is. Best to see the plants actually growing as usually either plants look horrible in nursery pots and grow to be perfect in a few years or they look great in nursery pots and grow huge and horrible in a few years.

Get rid of the Sago. It will only get bigger and more spikey. If it was to the side of your yard, you might could manage but not right there on the walkway. 10 reasons not to plant a Sago Palm

I think I would go for a pebbled zero scape yard with some desert plantings.... that is awful!

Does the house face south?

http://www.bewaterwise.com/pdf/How_to_Garden_in_a_Drought.pdf

Consider planting Chilopsis Linearis, Desert Willow. You will need a tree due to the southern exposure.

Well done for removing the Bradford Pear
tree, that sounds like a tough job. Now you have a clean slate to create an
inexpensive, drought-tolerant garden with plenty of curb appeal.

• I agree with other comments, remove the Sego and the other tree
  behind it

• Build the retaining wall from the hedges, along sidewalk to the
  driveway (with a gap for the path). Keep the retaining wall low. Preferably
  use a light-colored local stone.

• For the path from the sidewalk to the house, lay an attractive
  natural-looking paver or local stone in a pale color. If you have the
  budget, replace the existing concrete path with the same material. Use
  paver restraint edging to keep the pavers in place.

• Now for the garden. First do a soil analysis test to determine
  your soil type - this will help you choose the correct plants that will
  thrive. Soil testing kits are available at garden centers or Sacramento Cornell
  Cooperative Extension can help you. Second, you need to know your climate
  zone, I checked and Antelope, CA is USDA climate Zone 9b.

• Choose native (indigenous to your area) plants, trees or shrubs
  appropriate for your soil and zone. Native plants are adapted to your
  climate and require less water/fertilizer. They are more resistant to pest
  and diseases and suppress weeds. Finally,
  they provide habitat for butterflies, insects and birds. Visit the California Native Plant Society's site, lots of great advice and plant lists here.

Picture credit: CA Native Plant Society

Picture credit: CA Native Plant Society

• To retain moisture in your garden, add a layer of mulch such as
  gravel, stones and rocks. You mention your yard is very steep, so water
  may be wasted, draining away down the slope. Incorporate a water retention
  feature such as a 'dry stream bed' or 'rain garden'. On the left, by the
  hedges, install unobtrusive aluminum lawn edging, it will keep the stone
  mulch in place and give a nice, neat edge.

Picture credit: CA Native Plant Society

Place a couple of pretty ceramic planters
filled with colorful flowers by the front door and you're all set. Please post
an 'after' picture I'd like to see the changes!

Hey Jacqui, thought you may find this article by Bruce Parker interesting, it's about gardening with drought tolerant plants. https://www.houzz.com/magazine/8-unthirsty-plants-help-you-save-water-in-style-stsetivw-vs~3000397

Eagle Rock · More Info

Newbury Park · More Info

For pebbles I do them in only certain areas not the whole landscape. Because in a few years the rain and soil subsidence cause the pebbles to look like a mess of weeds, pebbles, and gravel..Borders of gravel are fine tho.

You can look through both Highland Park and Newbury park projects on my page. Most of the groundcover/plants should work for your area as well.

Also for the weeds. I would wait to redo till they get green and start to grow with rain in January because then you can apply weed killer and the weeds will take it down to the roots. If you pull weeds now they will probably just come back because it's hard to get them all the way to the roots.

Good luck