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Below, closeup from patio above, on south side of garage:

Perspective from downslope looking up:

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(Click on title to see more photos) Photo above, on top of the south peak area of Rodriguez Mtn, just south of Palomar Mtn, just south of La Jolla Indian Reservation.   Apparently Arctostaphylos glauca, of advanced age, and resembling bonsai aesthetic in character, especially with the boulders.  Quite an engaging compositional stylistic character in these two photos.   Good influence for inspiration for some built landscapes where this stylistic can be appropriate.

(Click on underlined title to see more) Camissonia bistorta, blooms year-round in typical yard space that has some ambient ground moisture to tap into.  Lives about a year or two; readily reseeds and sprouts new plants with rains or occasional irrigation.  An all-star performer.  Makes masses of plants if you allow it, serving as an informal 12 to 18 inch tall and how ever wide groundcover.

Check out this very interesting article about 'Native Succulent Diversity and Gardening' from the San Diego Natural History Museum conservation botanist John Rebman:  

http://www.sdnhm.org/research/botany/succulent_jr.html 

Plagiobothrys collinus, white flowers, aka popcorn flower, and Encelia californica, yellow flowers, in early Spring, Pt. Loma.

Mid-Summer by Mt. Miguel.  Eriogonum fasciculatum - white flowers, Artemisia californica - brownish foliage(dry season semi-dormant), Baccharis sarothroides - bright green lowbush in foreground, and further in background, before white flowered Toyon(Heteromeles arbutifolia) in far background down road, Malosma laurina main big bush in bloom. 

(Click on underlined title to see more) Yellow flowers, lacy foliage.  Grows only during rainy season/cool half of year.  Blooms late Winter through Spring.  Dry season dormant perennial.  Growing with Dudleya edulis on cliff edge.  All photos early Spring.

Opuntia littoralis in foreground, - Coast Prickly Pear.  

Gets to 6 to 18 feet all around, slow to moderate growth rate, depending on water availability.   This photo showing new growth in early Spring in the San Clemente(52freeway) Canyon.