I'm in Zone 9 in Calif and my neighbors put in tall Italian

Cypress that grow very fast. I really like the way they look too, and they have very little maintenance. no trimming. Don't attract bees. I don't think they drop much (if any?) and are also low water requirements. And can fit your space.

There are a lot of posts like yours, so go into the search bar above and search for pool privacy backyard landscape and you will likely see a bunch of threads that address your needs.

I would also recommend visiting a nursery and asking for advice. Ask your neighbors, too (on Nextdoor, or other social media).

Others have recommended installing a shade sail strategically to take away the view from the close-by neighbors. That works too.

Cluster of three palms in each of the larger planting beds, underplanted with an evergreen shrub like yew or wax myrtle allowed to grow into small trees (limb up the base). Up light the palms at night to create a focus in the middle ground other than the neighbors house in the background.

Plant bamboo. It grows super fast and it looks great, too.

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We used bamboo in our CA house to block a new house built up the hill from us. The bamboo grew really well and provided good privacy ... but not a good choice next to a pool.

Look at that second photo above and notice all the dropped leaves on the ground ... someone used a blower on the path!

I love bamboo but they do drop fine little leaves constantly. Palms drop too but its one BIG leaf!!! (I know its a frond and I know palms aren't trees too)

Here are some ideas using ginger & pleached broadleafed evergreen large shrubs:

NO BAMBOO your neighbors will hate you very quickly.

I’d have a grouping of trellises with native vines, such as the wonderful Coral Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens. It’s native to our state, isn’t messy, grows quickly, and is an easy keeper.

Plant in between them with other things you like. I’d also add potted plants around for color and interest.

The trellises would give some semblance of privacy while the vines grow, and wouldn’t be crowding anything.

Nice-looking trellises wth native vines are neighbor-friendly, too, and look good from both sides.

Depending on soil and light conditions, look at Texas Mountain Laurel, Vitex Chaste Tree, Nellie R Stevens Holly (tree form). You might need two or three.

A combo of mid-size trees and large shrubs would be tall enough for the sightline to the windows. Some roofline is okay.

About twice as tall as your current bushes, as shown by DigDoug.

You're gonna have to get used to leaves in the pool after a windy day...but worth it.

Get bushes...fast growing ones along the property line.

Here is a concept with immediate return on investment.

The wood screen panels mentioned in an earlier comment would directly abut the coping of the spa and/or pool.

Panels right next to the pool like this would not need to be as tall as those along the property lline. And provide a level of modicum from this vantage point.

My renderings borrow screenshots of the proposed lattices shown earlier. I figure this version looks 8-10 feet tall but you could go taller. My software is not exact...this is a concept. I did not render the future shrubs along the back:

I have a similar situation with my pool. Leyland cypress or green giants are your best bet. But they will also take 3-5 years to fully block that view even if you buy them at 5-6ft high. Within 5 years they will grow to 20ft. Whatever you do patience is key in landscaping, unless of course money is no object and you buy them more mature which would not be cost efficient.

Is there enough room for GGs? The depth of the bed is 3-5 ft, he said. Mine got much wider than that. I had them at my last house and they were nearly 10ft wide and still growing when we moved.

Close-up pictures of the bed would be very helpful, but the OP hasn’t been back in 11 days, so I think we’re just talking to ourselves now. :D

(No big deal, it might help others just reading.)

You right. I didn’t realize it was that narrow. Green giants won’t work. Even cypress get wider than 5ft when mature. You can always trim but at some point it won’t look nice. Surprising that local regulations allow for such narrow setbacks for building a pool.

The cypress in my neighbors' yard are more than 6 years old, very tall, and no more than 3' around. There could be some type of cypress that will work; you'd need to check at a helpful nursery near you.

A few large umbrellas in the meantime while waiting for any plantings to grow.

REally I do not think the upper windows are even paossible to see out in that house next door and IMO a bunch of trees added for no reason at all get some fun umbrellas and enjoy your pool . Most people have better things to do that climb on a ladder to see what you are doing.

To block house from your view, i agree with cypress and a structure around the spa area of pool. my neighhbor has cypress and i get no debris. tiny birds do nest in them but are not a problem