Expertly Crafted Retaining Walls for Function, Beauty, and Lasting Value in Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties

A retaining wall is a structural element used to hold back soil, prevent erosion, and create level areas on sloped terrain. In the coastal regions of Santa Barbara and Ventura, where hillsides and elevation changes are common, retaining walls are essential to both landscape functionality and aesthetics.

For over 13 years, Cornerstone Landscapes has been a trusted leader in building retaining walls tailored to the unique conditions of Southern California. We combine decades of combined construction expertise with an understanding of local terrain to create outdoor spaces that are both structurally sound and beautifully designed. Whether you’re looking to add elegance to your landscape or reinforce critical slope areas, we specialize in building the "bones" of your outdoor environment—enhancing usability, increasing property value, and improving quality of life.

Types of Retaining Walls

Gravity Retaining Walls (Dry Stacked)

Concept: These walls rely solely on their weight to hold back soil, making them ideal for garden and landscape applications without the need for steel or concrete reinforcement.
Materials: Natural boulders
Design Features: “Burry, Buttress, Batter”. Burry - bottom course is buried, Buttress - larger stones are placed at the base, and Batter - walls lean into the slope for increased stability
Best For: When this unique look is desired, non-structural landscape walls up to 4 feet in height (non-engineered) or taller structural landscape walls (engineered)
Cantilever Retaining Walls

Concept: Engineered structural walls that use a reinforced concrete footing shaped like an inverted "T" with a vertical stem. The soil's weight on the 'heel' of the footing provides stability.
Materials: Concrete and CMU (concrete block)
Design Features: Require deeper excavation, drainage, and often engineering for long-term durability. Footing is constructed with reinforcing steel and concrete, stem wall is constructed with steel reinforced CMU or concrete. Require finishing with stucco, stone, tile, brick, etc.
Best For: Structural support in residential or commercial builds; ideal where slopes are steep or loads are high
Pile Retaining Walls

Concept: Utilize piles drilled (caissons) or driven into the earth to support the wall above
Materials: Concrete and CMU (concrete block)
Design Features: Engineered with extensive drilling and excavation; effective in high-risk or geologically unstable zones
Best For: Areas with unstable soil or extreme slopes requiring maximum support as determined by a structural engineer
Segmental / Reinforced Soil Retaining Walls

Concept: Dry-stacked interlocking blocks are reinforced with layers of geogrid and compacted soil to form a stable, flexible wall structure
Materials: Dry-cast concrete blocks (commonly known as Allan blocks)
Design Features: Range from simple low walls to tall engineered structures; earthwork and drainage often required
Best For: Residential and commercial use; great for tall walls where soil conditions are stable

What Are the Purposes of Retaining Walls?

Retaining walls serve both functional and aesthetic roles in a landscape. Here are the top reasons to consider adding one to your property:

Prevent Erosion and Landslides
Retaining walls stabilize soil and help prevent washouts, landslides, and other erosion-related issues—especially crucial in sloped areas.
Create Usable Space
Retaining walls form terraces that can be transformed into patios, gardens, driveways, or seating areas, dramatically increasing usable outdoor space.
Provide Structural Support
Retaining walls help hold up roads, foundations, and slopes—ensuring long-term property safety and protecting against soil movement.
Define Property Boundaries
Retaining walls can stabilize elevation changes along property lines, ensuring that soil and landscape elements remain in place and respecting property limits.
Enhance Aesthetic Appeal
Retaining walls add architectural interest, texture, and balance to your outdoor space—creating a landscape that's both elegant and enduring.

Most Common Materials Used for Retaining Walls

Boulders

Used In: Gravity Retaining Walls

Advantages: Natural appearance, cost-effective in the right application
Disadvantages: Require good site access for heavy equipment

Concrete Piles/Caissons

Used In: Pile Retaining Walls
Advantages: Maximum structural integrity; ideal for extreme conditions
Disadvantages: Complex construction, highest cost, and require engineering and geotechnical assessments

Concrete, Steel, CMU

Used In: Cantilever Retaining Walls
Advantages: Excellent structural integrity; long-lasting under high loads
Disadvantages: Require engineering, permits, and higher construction costs

Dry-Stacked Interlocking Block

Used In: Segmental / Reinforced Soil Retaining Walls
Advantages: Strong structural performance in many cases; rustic to modern look; flexible design options
Disadvantages: Require engineering, drainage, and good site access for heavy equipment

Ready to Build a Stronger, More Beautiful Outdoor Space

Let Cornerstone Landscapes help you design and build the perfect retaining wall for your needs. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward transforming your landscape.