A quintessential Santa Barbara garden started as a simple backyard remodel that took the leap transforming it into the perfect retreat for an active family of four. The old brick patio and termite ridden deck and arbors were replaced with three levels of outdoor rooms. The back patio serves as the dining and late night fire lounge overlooking the new lower lawn and pool with the bottom tier as stormwater swale that actually enhances the view from the lowest poolside seating area. The plan preserved all Native Oaks and moved a spectacular Olive tree to an elevated position within the lounge. All plantings are deliberately low maintenance and very low water use with exception to the modest lawn, which anyone with a dog and kids can justify as necessary to the water budget.