The back-yard beach; sand underfoot and near water … but in your own garden?

Sunset, July, 1989

Sand underfoot and near water . . . but iii your own garden?

Life's a beach at these two northern California houses; both have their own private mini-beaches only a few steps from their back doors. The homeowners can spread out towels, lie in the sun, build sandcastles, barbecue on portable grills, and feel the soft, yielding texture of sand between their toes. The sandy sites offer many of the pleasures of a weekend trip to the shore-without the crowds and long, hot commutes.

For the poolside garden at right, owners Kris and Bill Linder of Saratoga substituted two bands of coarse, washed sand for a struggling lawn and a dilapidated wooden deck. The rectangular beaches extend from an elevated pavilion set in a corner of the garden. The Linders can either stretch out in the sand or retreat to the shade of the 12- by 12 3/4-foot pavilion, which features a roof of closely spaced 2by-2s and a 20-inch-deep band of lattice to block the sun.

The pavilion's broad hammock is an inviting place, where the Linders can forget about the lawn they no longer have to water and mow as they look out on a lowmaintenance landscape one that includes ornamental grasses, fortnight lilies (Dietes vegeta), succulents, driftwood, and small boulders.

In the garden above, a palm tree rises from the fine, white dolomite that lies near the poolside patio. Landscape architect James Chadwick of Los Gatos, California, designed the 15- by 22-foot-long island as part of a remodel of Stephanie and Gary Schwing's garden. A curving 5by 8-inch band, built up from 1/2-inch redwood benderboard, borders the sand. Cats are seldom invited over.