---
title: "Waterman & Sun — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/waterman-and-sun-pfvwus-pf~1543911013
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1543911013.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Waterman & Sun"
category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/23437f340266acfd_7735-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "4117 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, California 94028, United States"
latitude: 37.3702
longitude: -122.2182
phone: "(650) 489-0176"
website: http://WatermanandSun.com
rating: 5
review_count: 11
years_in_business: 39
followers: 93
last_updated: 2026-08-15
---

# Waterman & Sun

> The South Bay's Personalized Landscape Designer \| Established in 1982

Original Houzz profile: [Waterman & Sun](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/waterman-and-sun-pfvwus-pf~1543911013)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers
- **Location:** Portola Valley, CA
- **Serves:** Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Redwood City, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Burlingame, San Carlos, East Palo Alto, Belmont, Millbrae, Stanford, Los Altos Hills, Atherton, Woodside, Emerald Lake Hills, Portola Valley, West Menlo Park, La Honda, San Gregorio
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (11 reviews)

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Houzz Pro Software User
- Recommended on Houzz
- 25,000 Ideabook Saves
- Free consultation
- Eco-friendly
- 39 years in business

### Business highlights

- 39 years in business
- Eco-friendly
- Free consultation

Residential Building & Landscape Design. Landscape designer with specialty in architectural features and gardens: arbors, trellises, gazebos, outdoor dining rooms and kitchens.

Established by Robert H. Waterman in 1982, Waterman & Sun is a residential building design firm in Portola Valley, CA. Whether, the residential design projects we design involves new construction, additions and remodeling of an existing home, and garden design, we take pride in our personalized approach to our client's ideas and our ability to bring their vision into focus.

Many of our design projects are enhanced by our expertise of integrating indoor and outdoor living areas with a full range of garden and landscape design services. We emphasize the use of design features such as pools and spas, pool cabanas with outdoor kitchens and dining areas, enhanced with arbors and trellises in a wonderful garden setting.

### Services Provided

- Landscape Design
- Garden Design
- Hardscaping
- Landscape Plans
- Patio Design
- Drought Tolerant Landscaping
- Site Planning
- Pool Landscaping
- Custom Fire Pits
- Swimming Pool Design
- Custom Water Features
- Gazebo Design & Construction
- Deck Design
- Organic Gardens
- Drafting
- Shed Design & Construction
- Edible Gardens
- Greenhouse Design & Construction
- Construction Drawings
- Gazebo Design
- Residential Design
- Trellis Design

### Areas Served

- Sunnyvale
- San Mateo
- Redwood City
- Mountain View
- Palo Alto
- Cupertino
- Menlo Park
- Los Altos
- Burlingame
- San Carlos
- East Palo Alto
- Belmont
- Millbrae
- Stanford
- Los Altos Hills
- Atherton
- Woodside
- Emerald Lake Hills
- Portola Valley
- West Menlo Park
- La Honda
- San Gregorio

### Typical Job Cost

$50,000 - 300,000

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Waterman & Sun |
| Address | 4117 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, California 94028, United States |
| Phone | (650) 489-0176 |
| Website | http://WatermanandSun.com |
| Years in business | 39 |
| Followers on Houzz | 93 |

**Social profiles:**
- Blog — http://watermanandsun.com/index.html

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Waterman & Sun](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/waterman-and-sun-pfvwus-pf~1543911013)
- **Website:** http://WatermanandSun.com
- **Phone:** (650) 489-0176

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 11 reviews**

### All 11 reviews

**★★★★★ — SridarI, March 2015**

> We have a lovely outdoor dining room arbor structure that reflects our south asian style and theme of our outdoor entertaining area. At first it looked like the project would not be permitted because of the main building setbacks. Mr. Waterman worked within the zoning regulations in Atherton in a creative manor to achieve our desired end result. We are more than pleased with his design talent and his ability to comply with the strict zoning ordinance and approval process.

**★★★★★ — JimandPennyG, Feb. 2015**

> Deer-resistant landscaping for privacy and charm! Through screens of greenery, glimpses can be caught of our enticing, secluded hillside garden designed by Bob Waterman. Bob transformed our steeply sloped, uninviting yard into a "secret garden" enhanced by year-round color, level paths, patio and lawn. Deer often sleep under a large oak tree, but the attractive shrubs, plants and trees are "deer-proof," not to their taste even in full bloom.

**★★★★★ — BillW5, Feb. 2015**

> We lived on a Cul De Sac with a small backyard. The front yard was spacious, but not shielded from the street. it was also sloped and most of it was unusable. Waterman & Sun's original sketches showed exactly what we wanted - an expanded outdoor living space in the front yard shielded from the street. Their execution was flawless and when we sold the house, its value had been increased many times the cost of the work.

**★★★★★ — David\_\_K, Jan. 2015**

> Bob Waterman did the following:
>
> 1\) Designed and installed a water-saving "exile" garden to replace my front lawn.
> 2\) Designed and installed a beautiful arbor with heating and lights for outdoor entertaining.
> 3\) Designed and installed a "2-way\_ (gas and wood-burning) outdoor fire-pit
> 4\) Completely landscaped my entire property.

**★★★★★ — Susan Woodman, Jan. 2015**

> In my interior design career I had occasions to refer clients to Waterman & Sun for clients' landscape / hardscape projects. Bob is a pleasure to work with and his designs are suitable and creative. He has a keen sense for harmonizing the existing with new additions. His quality of work is excellent and he is a knowledgeable plautsman as well.

**★★★★★ — vanessaroach, Dec. 2014**

> Waterman and Sun designed and built both a gorgeous gazebo and rose garden arbor that we use for weddings and wedding photographs. Both are beautiful and well built!

**★★★★★ — Donna\_Ro, Dec. 2014**

> A 1000 Square foot addition to our existing home was added. The architectural plans brought the new and old together beautifully. Waterman & Sun listened and produced exactly what we wanted. The landscaping his still beautiful and creative.

**★★★★★ — deberes, Dec. 2014**

> I have worked with Waterman & Sun on several projects where he was the landscape contractor and I was the general contractor. He was always very professional to work with.

**★★★★★ — Irwin Fisher, Inc., Dec. 2014**

> Garden wood was so creative with our landscaping integrating stone wood and planting elements, we had Bob design our front yard and I love how the yard turned out. He really transformed our home!

**★★★★★ — melaniewilensky, Sept. 2014**

> Bob Waterman designed and his very talented crew members completely constructed our garden, changing it from a very boring (and costly) lawn into a landscape of shrubs with stone walkways throughout. We have enjoyed this environment for almost 10 years now. It is ever-changing environmentally friendly and constantly admired by all who see it.

**★★★★★ — User, Aug. 2014**

> Bob Waterman was hired to create a driveway gate that covered an expanse 10 feet. His design was so creative as it reflected the design of my front door. Beautifully constructed, installed, painted and has held up with no sagging.
> Design and installation of plants in garden = superior.

## Selected projects

- [Portola Valley Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/portola-valley-residence-pj-vj~251117)
  - Location: Portola Valley, CA
  - Photos: 5
- [Curved Arbor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/curved-arbor-pj-vj~484116)
  - Location: Palo Alto, CA
  - Photos: 11
- [Outdoor Fire Pit](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/outdoor-fire-pit-pj-vj~818715)
  - Location: Portola Valley, CA
  - Photos: 1
- [Arched Pergolas](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/arched-pergolas-pj-vj~818640)
  - Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
  - Photos: 9
- [Gable Roof Pergola](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gable-roof-pergola-pj-vj~818713)
  - Location: Portola Valley, CA
  - Photos: 3
- [Arbor At Full Sun Terrace](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/arbor-at-full-sun-terrace-pj-vj~356945)
  - Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
  - Photos: 6
- [Stacked Stone Wall](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stacked-stone-wall-pj-vj~818704)
  - Location: Stanford, CA
  - Photos: 5
- [Asian Influence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/asian-influence-pj-vj~520314)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 23
- [Los Altos Hills](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-altos-hills-pj-vj~251127)
  - Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
  - Photos: 5
- [Flagstone Walkway](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/flagstone-walkway-pj-vj~818720)
  - Location: Redwood City, CA
  - Photos: 4
- [Semi-transparent Fences & Gates](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/semi-transparent-fences-and-gates-pj-vj~818691)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
- [Edible Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/edible-garden-pj-vj~520346)
  - Location: Stanford, CA
  - Photos: 9
- [Past Projects](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/past-projects-pj-vj~356968)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 12
- [Arched Gate to Wildflower Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/arched-gate-to-wildflower-garden-pj-vj~818668)
  - Location: Portola Valley, CA
  - Photos: 8
- [Craftsman Entry](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-entry-pj-vj~818625)
  - Location: Redwood City, CA
  - Photos: 4
- [Weddings at home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/weddings-at-home-pj-vj~868107)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 2

[See all 16 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/waterman-and-sun-pfvwus-pf~1543911013)

## Video

- [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/840765339.m3u8?s=98c6859d78bd01bb06c4002f9dbee1b62bb2dbae&oauth2_token_id=1384357804)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What types of landscape design projects do you specialize in?**
We specialize in artful residential landscape design, focusing on integrating your home with beautiful outdoor spaces. Our expertise includes architectural features like arbors, gazebos, trellises, hardscapes, and creating comprehensive outdoor living areas, including kitchens and dining spaces. We've been serving the San Francisco Peninsula since 1982, enhancing properties with thoughtful design.

**Do you offer design-only services or full project coordination?**
As a dedicated residential design firm, we primarily offer design-only services. Our focus is on creating detailed, personalized landscape and architectural plans that bring your vision to life. While we don't handle installation directly, we provide all the necessary documentation for contractors to execute the project seamlessly.

**Do you create detailed planting and layout plans?**
Yes, absolutely. We create comprehensive and detailed landscape plans, including specific planting designs and overall layout plans. Our goal is to ensure every element of your garden and outdoor space is thoughtfully considered and clearly communicated through our construction drawings and site planning.

**Do you design outdoor living spaces such as patios and outdoor kitchens?**
Yes, designing exceptional outdoor living spaces is one of our specialties! We excel at creating inviting patios, functional outdoor kitchens, and dining areas, often complemented by arbors, gazebos, and trellises. We aim to seamlessly integrate these features to enhance your home's beauty and extend your living space outdoors.

**Do you design drought-tolerant or sustainable landscapes?**
Yes, we certainly do. We have experience designing drought-tolerant landscapes and incorporating organic gardening principles into our projects. Our aim is to create beautiful, sustainable outdoor spaces that thrive in our California climate while minimizing water usage and environmental impact.

*FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.*

## Community Q&A

**Q: Flowers/vines used?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Another wanting to know what flowers/vines were used?

A: Hi rylinsmommy.  Thanks for the question.  The plant is call "Distictis Bignoniaceae" (Bignonia Cherere) with blood-red trumpets.  If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask.

**Q: What flowers/ vines were used?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Hi Jody.  Thanks for the question.  The plant is call "Distictis Bignoniaceae" (Bignonia Cherere) with blood-red trumpets.  If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask.

**Q: Pergola** *(in Photo Questions)*

How does the pergola tie Into the roof? Are there other photo angles?

A: Hi Jackie.  Thanks for the questions.  The rafters on the left side are not attached to the roof.  It is good to leave some space between the rafters and the roof to allow airflow so wood can stay dry and to also allow for any settlement due to changes in the weather.  As to the wall above the doors..yes there are vertical pieces of wood that were bolted to the existing wall to support the beams that extend to the two front post.  If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask.

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-15.*