Artificial Turf Installation in Coronado

Last updated: 2026-10-27

What artificial turf installation involves on our end

Artificial turf installation means excavating 3 to 4 inches of old soil, correcting the grade, and compacting a base of crushed aggregate before any turf goes down. We walk the yard first, mark where water goes, and decide whether synthetic turf suits the space at all.

The turf is the last hour of the job. The work is underneath it. Samuel Fortes does the walkthrough himself. We hold CSLB License #1152146 and are bonded and insured.

How we prepare the base

We excavate the old surface, set the grade at a minimum of 1 to 2 percent so water leaves the area, and lay about 3 inches of compacted aggregate base. Compaction is what keeps seams flat and low spots from forming after the first winter. A thin or uncompacted base is the most common reason turf looks wavy within a year. Last spring we pulled out a 600 sq ft turf job on a Point Loma lot that had only 1 inch of base, and the whole thing had ripples you could see from the street.

Edges get a proper border so the turf does not creep. Where trees sit close, we plan around roots rather than cutting through them blindly.

What about Coronado salt, sun and heat?

Synthetic turf gets hot in full afternoon sun, especially on the bayfront side of the island. On a south or west facing yard we have measured the surface at 140 to 160 degrees F on an 85 degree July afternoon, which is too hot for bare feet and paws. We tell people that up front.

Salt air does not hurt the turf much, but it corrodes fasteners and any irrigation heads left in the area. We use corrosion-resistant fasteners and cap or relocate sprinkler lines before turf goes down.

When artificial turf is the wrong fix

We do not push turf on every lawn. If the yard gets real foot traffic from kids and the spot is shaded, natural sod often feels better and stays cooler. If the real issue is drainage, turf over a bad grade just hides the problem for a season.

Some Coronado HOAs and design review boards also have rules on hardscape and surface materials, so we ask for those before quoting. For living ground, see our sod and turf installation page, or our drought-tolerant planting option on the drought-tolerant landscaping page.

What changes the price?

Most residential turf jobs we quote in Coronado and San Diego land between $8 and $14 per square foot installed, so a 500 sq ft backyard usually runs $4,000 to $7,000. Here is what moves it within that range:

• Square footage and how many cuts and curves the shape has
• Depth of excavation and haul-off of old material
• Drainage corrections or sprinkler changes
• Access: a long carry from the street adds labor
• Borders, steps and transitions to patios or planting beds

We give a written scope after seeing the yard. We will not quote a number from a photo.

How long does it take?

A typical small Coronado backyard, around 400 to 600 sq ft, is three to four working days from demolition to finished edges, depending on base depth and weather. Larger or sloped yards take longer. We tell you the schedule at the walkthrough.

Questions customers ask us

Can you install it on a sloped yard?

Yes, but the base needs more attention. We plan drainage first, especially on Point Loma slopes.

Do you work outside Coronado?

We serve Coronado, Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Sunset Cliffs, Mission Hills, Hillcrest, Kensington and Downtown San Diego.

Do you send proof of insurance?

Yes. We send a certificate of insurance on request.

Back to Ecosystem Landscaping & Design, or call us for a walkthrough. If we installed your yard, mention the service and your neighborhood in your Google review.