History & Vision

The Sand Quarry

Cabrillo Sand and Gravel began in 1948 as a small quarry, and this property likely operated even earlier. A 1950 tax assessment mentioned “old sand processing equipment,” no longer operational, along with garages, sheds, and an office—but no houses yet. Those arrived in the mid-1950s and were much as they are now by the early ’60s. The land was largely flat, open sand; the hilltop was a local party spot with nightly fires.

The Bamboo Nursery

When we purchased the property in 1999, the previous owner (a tree trimmer) had improved the soil with countless truckloads of wood chips, planted rare specimens, and introduced lots of bamboo. Our family refined the grounds—adding ponds, paths, and the warehouse—and spent a year traveling to bamboo regions worldwide to deeply understand growing and using bamboo.

Bamboo and tea fields—study tour reference — Field study abroad—bamboo & tea landscapes informed our planting design.

A Bamboo Village & a Zoo?

Travel inspired big ideas. In China we found an ancient village slated for demolition; we explored re-erecting it in Aptos. While technically feasible, the bureaucracy (especially stateside) made it impractical. We also commissioned a granite moon gate and other stone elements to echo that inspiration. Later, when the parcel behind us came up for sale, we envisioned a small zoo with a loop train—but were outbid on the land.

Traditional gate in China — Traditional gate inspiration captured during research travel.

Historic wall segments in China — Historic walls and stonework influenced our material palette.

Window in lakeside wall — Lakeside “window wall” concepts informed views and garden framing.

Moon gate motif — Moon-gate motif—echoed by our granite gate and garden thresholds.

Old town fabric—Huzhou — Historic fabric study—proportions, rhythm, and craft.

A Bamboo Book

West-coast-specific, practical bamboo guidance didn’t exist—so we wrote it. Landscaping with Bamboo: A Practical Guide helps homeowners and pros choose species and apply bamboo effectively in the landscape.

Vision for the Future

Our strengths should guide the future: acres of display groves and a deep supply of large, mature plants. Most nurseries stock only small containers and can’t offer big material. That advantage does carry maintenance overhead—so we see the greatest upside in commercial work (where large plants are demanded) and in high-impact residential projects where a visit to our grounds converts interest into action. The site also lends itself to destination experiences and venues. That optionality is a strength in uncertain times.