No one in LA that I can recommend. I know this wasn’t your question , but do you have children &/ or pets ? If so, be prepared for the DG to be tracked into your house .

what do you suggest, instead? fyi it is not just about drought, there is also a fire risk, and we cannot have grass.

For my home in La Quinta I initially had DG with large pavers, had the DG removed, replaced with a combo of artificial turf along with the pavers. ( modern design ) I realize that the turf can get hot but I’ve seen some advertized that claim to be significantly cooler. Perhaps a ground cover such as Dymondia? or some other ? I‘ll think about it …

Getting on the indoor floor would be very bad, we have white cork tile in a midcentury modern that has 4 sliders to the back --little grandkids will be there often, floor can be badly damaged. the Mexican beach pebble is definitely a danger. house is backed by a canyon and in fact, was severely damaged in the last forest fire --it is really at risk, so no grass. Nothing that burns.

We had fines (comparable to DG) on paths in our previous home and had no issues with floor damage. We did have mats on both sides of entry to catch anything that could be tracked in. It was an easy care surface for us.

I had DG, and while it's great as a path, I wouldn't want my grandchildren having that as a playground. I definitely wouldn't want to fall on it; it is rough.

Having lived in several fire zones over the years, I guess I don't under why well-watered, well-tended grass would be a problem. I would think that the few plants, shrub, trees I think I see in your garden would be more of a hazard... if even they are. But then, I'm not living in your area so I should mind-my-own-business. 😄

When we lived in such an area my grands were small and so little tryks on the pavers would have been fine. I took them to a local park once a day to run around because we had no yard to speak of. If I had lived in NYC that's what I would have done. Maybe that's the way you need to think.

Even with a soft surface there are lots of rocks and stepping stones to land on. Is there no where else for the kids to play? Remove it all.

Pea gravel is the only thing I can think of that doesn't burn, does not need water, has some give to it , and doesn't scratch or splinter or get killer hot. It also does not track into the house and no, DG is not a forgiving surface.

But, kids can/will grab handsful of peagravel and throw it. (Ask me how I know.)

thanks Nancy --Can you advise where you happened to get the turf in LA? Also curious about the cost per square foot or yard...

Artificial turf can be hot to walk on in the summer. https://cagardenweb.ucanr.edu/General/Landscaping_for_Fire_Protection/

Looking over this thread, you have all given great guidance on what not to do --but still not sure what I should do. It could be the crazy beach pebbles at least protect from fire and drought...... Our house literally burned down in 2019, that is how great the fire risk is. It is at the edge of a canyon ...... we have 3 toddler grandkids coming. I certainly am not going to leave these decisions in hands of our gardener..... what is the best course?

keep the fire protecting stone and take the kids to a safe park.

We raised our kids with rock mulch front and back and they were just fine. You can put in rock mulch smaller than your beach pebbles that won’t be tracked in but is still able to be walked on and put a trampoline and/or swing, slide, fort for your grandkids entertainment.

Linda Ann We specifically bought the AT that has a cooling agent and is safe for kids and pets. We had our Grandaughter's BD party recently with pretty good warmth, and it was fine.

I think you need a big tree to provide some shade.

I think DG is nice, but only for a pathway, and then you can put in drought-tolerant landscape.

As for kids, if there's no "destination" in the backyard, they aren't going to want to spend time out there. When my kids were very young, that was a sandbox (or sand/water Little Tykes raised sandbox-type of plastic thing). We had a playset, but you might not want to invest in that, since the attraction span is pretty short for the money spent.

But you can get them something to climb on: age-appropriate.

I think that rocks might cost you less to maintain in terms of water-savings, but you get that whole "urban heat-island" effect and that type of landscape on a larger scale leads to a worse environmental outcome. I think humans desire and need to see greenery and beauty. So I would really want to see an actual plantscape back there. Might give you some privacy as well (not sure if that's needed).

I follow Scott Shrader, who does unbelievably beautiful drought-tolerant and Mediterranrean landscape. I have never met him, but his portfolio is incredible.

https://shraderdesign.com/html/index.html

Mrs. S --We need 50-100 feet around the house as a fire break, plenty plenty of green after that, we are on top of a canyon, which is lush. Plenty of trees beyond the fire break --but you can understand we are sticking to the guidelines since the house was already devastated by fire! I'll check out the cooling artificial turf and see if that could be an option. Will get destination like sandbox for yard!

@Pamela My family had 2 houses burn as well. I'm sorry for what you've been through. It isn't easy. But can you please elaborate on the rules for a "fire break", because for our (quite near the Santa Monica Mountains) fire rebuilds, we are allowed to have tons of plants, just specific types, and have to file "fuel mod" plans. No one has mentioned that we have to have a "droughtscape". Fire break where I live (and I'm not speaking of where the fire rebuilds are) isn't for specifically RIGHT AROUND THE HOUSE, but it's for "defensible space" so the firefighters can defend the neighborhood. and the defensible space landscape can include various types of plants, not just rocks. (e.g., iceplant).

Please elaborate on what the rules are....because I am quite interested and haven't heard of this level of restriction.

We have plenty of plants all around, including fruit trees and ivy in the front with a firebreak of about 10 feet but in the back, where the fire rushes up from the canyon --I do not want to have much.... The canyon itself is full of plant life --- I'd like a droughtscape as well.... we don't have any fuel mod plans that I know of, in Los Angeles, Santa Monica may be different..... also, don't think this is a legal restriction, just.... guidelines for these high-risk areas..... don't know if you are right on top of a canyon, I think it is a special situation. https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire

Well, I looked at your link. Is your home a recent rebuild? If so, I'm sure you did some state-of-the-art things to fireproof your home as much as possible, like vulcanvents (self-closing in the event of fire), fire rated windows, automated fire suppression systems, sprinklers, and many more things. As all of us fire victims are doing/have done.

I am not an expert, by any means, but only pointing out that no one, from the fire department (who signs off on plans), the landscape architect, the extremely rigorous planning department of our city which is pretty near to Santa Monica, has suggested that there be a "droughtscape". Again, I'm no expert, but I am concerned that you are overthinking it, and to the detriment of lifestyle and comfort, for reasons that *might* not make sense, but just make you feel better--which is important, too! I am just suggesting that you go get professional landscape design help. The landscape designers in the area and the nurseries are very knowledgeable about the requirements and advisories.

I'll step out now, and just say that DG might be more comfortable than rocks. Maybe look at pea gravel as is extensively used by pros such as Scott Shrader in the link I provided above.

By the way, our properties are both on a steep-ish slope but not canyon.

Good luck to you!

Mrs. S, I so appreciate your thoughtful reply. I absolutely will be contacting a landscape architect. If there is anyone you are happy with that you can recommend, I would love to know. I'm also getting estimates for vulcanvents. We did have a consultant come in who told us the sprinklers on the roof were not so helpful, not nearly as important as the vents. I DO have to think about it unless I leave the rocks, that is the one thing that requires no thought --but I also find Houzz commenters, you and others, very helpful ---the contractors are gone now, it is just us, and because we were dealing with an underinsurance.situation ... we are still left holding the bag for extras, like all this. It could be that given where we are getting rid of the rocks right now is the least of it, for the moment. I will be checking out Scott Schrader, too.

I'd put in a big shade tree and fake grass for the kids.

What did you end up doing? You could put shade sails over artificial grass or rubber (fake) bark. I‘ve seen play structures with rubber bark and shade sails in many CA backyards. It is a relatively diy cheaper drought tolerant option for a kid play area.

Rubber mulch like in playgrounds?

Yes, the rubber mulch. I‘ve seen folks purchase a playset from costco or a used one on places like offerup and fill prepared ground with the rubber mulch and add sail shades to keep the rubber mulch cooler from the sun. Something similar to the photo below, but on smaller scale.

Yes and they also have rubber mulch nuggets