How we work
If you’re gathering bids, comparing prices, shopping around, or looking for someone to install finished landscaping plans - Cal-Native is probably not the right fit.
Why?
Because Cal-Native has never - and will never - work from plans.
After more than 40 years of building gardens on the Peninsula - with hundreds of our signs out front - our founder, Dave Raphael, made a decision about ten years ago: we only take on projects from people who already know our work and can recognize a Cal-Native garden when they see one - not a copycat.
When that’s the case, which it almost always is, everything moves faster. No persuading. No explaining. No driving clients around. We get right to shaping the garden and scheduling.
About our name
When Dave started out as a gardener, he kept hearing the same thing — homeowners often struggled to communicate with the person working in their yard. So he chose a name that made one thing clear right away: he was local — and easy to communicate with.
The name Cal-Native was born — not because we only use native plants, but because it reflects who we are.
And honestly, if we only used native plants, it might put you to sleep.
Hi folks - before you reach out, a quick heads-up:
There’s a good chance you’ve never worked with anyone quite like me. If you prefer things very formal, have the personality of a parking meter, or if Larry David isn’t your style… we’re probably not a great fit.
Fortunately, most people find my directness and unfiltered honesty refreshing - some even entertaining. I’m not a yes-man. If I don’t like something about a project, I’ll tell you. And I’m not big on endless back-and-forth - I prefer to focus on the job and what needs to get done.
You’ll also notice I’m not into fake sales lines like “customer satisfaction is our priority,” “we aim to exceed expectations,” or “we’re the premier landscaping company in the Bay Area.” That kind of talk honestly makes me sick.
At the time of writing this, I’m 63 years old. I’ve never had a drink, never seen snow, and I’ve barely left California. I’ve also never danced - not once. It’s been guitars and fishing my whole life.
That’s about all you need to know.