My understanding it that water is in short supply in CA. so why not look at drought tolerent ground covers instead still nice for the kids .

UC Verde Buffalo grass

We're just east of Pasadena and have always had good luck with St. Augustine (in sun and shade). You might go to a good local nursery and ask by explaining about your boys, soccer, dog and water/care needs. We used to have a male dog and our grass was definitely affected by his urine. However, it was never a problem with our daughter's female dog who was here often.

Or use artificial turf for the play area. Like football stadiums have been doing.

St. Agustin seems to be one of the most frequently grasses used around here. I had never heard of UC Verde Buffalo grass.I’ll look into it. Thanks

Artificial turf is not really appealing to me. Thanks! I will have an rea with a drought tolerant ground cover but I will also have an area with grass.

Turf is terrible for the environment & St. Augustine is quite a beast if you ever want to remove it. I think the best grass these days is actually a native groundcover... it goes by many names but is most commonly called Kurapia.

Great for dogs, soccer, doesn't need to be mowed (stays 2" high) and only needs water once a week (or less in winter). I'm a professional landscape designer in the area and my clients alll can't say enough good things about it

drawbacks: big upfront price tag because the current market form was hybridized in Japanese labs and is tightly controlled by the venture capitalists who did it. BUT it's only a third the cost of artificial turf.

Bees also love its blossoms when it flowers in spring. Though a quick mow can take care of these I don't recommend it for family's with bee allergies.

more info: all about kurapia