The Pacific Perch
San Diego, California
A Coastal California Treenet with Ocean Views
How do you create a space that genuinely brings people together, gets the kids away from screens, and makes the most of the time we have with family and friends? For this San Diego family, the answer lay right up in the branches of their backyard canopy. When we first entered the property and saw two sprawling, mature Podocarpus trees framing a view of the city skyline and the Pacific Ocean, we knew we were looking at a spectacular canvas for an epic Treenet. The clients had discovered our work online and reached out to see what kind of potential was hiding up in their trees. With their kids growing up fast, they knew it was the exact right window of time to build an outdoor space where everyone could naturally gather, kick back, play and connect. Weaving a massive, hand-woven living room 20 feet up in the treetops just steps from their back door felt like the ultimate way to complete their yard, creating a whimsical escape that gives the whole family a completely new way to experience their backyard together.
An Accessible Treenet Escape for All Ages
With the coastal California breeze, year-round sun, and sparkling ocean views, weaving a custom treenet in this climate just made sense. The family's home is a beautiful mid-century modern space surrounded by perfectly curated landscaping, designed down to the very last detail. Because they already spend the majority of their time outside, and the house opens up seamlessly to the yard with huge windows and doors, we wanted to build a true extension of that living space. The suspended net sits right within eyesight of the house, and we integrated a custom spiral staircase to make getting up into the canopy an absolute breeze for all ages and body types. While some of our canopy installations are geared toward the ultra-nimble and adventurous, accessibility and safety were the top priorities for this backyard net design.
Sketching the Design
Our process always kicks off with custom hand-drawn sketches to map out the true potential of the trees. We love starting this way because it gives the family a look at what’s possible—and honestly, our clients often end up framing these original drawings long after we’ve packed up our tools.
For this build, once we got the green light on the overall layout, we shifted our focus to the color palette. These clients wanted to be highly involved in choosing the colors, which is exactly how we love to work. We place no limits on color—our clients can order as many different shades as they want—so we mocked up multiple custom combos to make sure they had every option presented to them before proceeding. They were looking for a very specific balance: vibrant colors that matched the art inside their home, mixed with natural, grounded tones that would let the upper levels fade right into the San Diego landscape.
A Floating Functional Sculpture
For the main level—a massive hand-woven treenet floating 20 feet off the ground that we named the "family room"—we knew a bold palette was the move. We wanted this Treenet to act as an eye catching, vibrant sculpture hanging right above their main outdoor entertainment area. We pulled inspiration straight from the interior of their mid-century modern home; while the architecture was all about warm wood and stone, the space was elevated by bright, colorful moments throughout the design. To match that energy, we wove the family room with a mix of teal, turquoise, solar orange, international orange, and goldenrod paracord. The goal was to make the floor look like a giant, vibrant floating rug. Teal was the perfect anchor to weave into the walls—it’s colorful and happy, but it acts as a natural neutral that blends beautifully right into the SoCal sky.
Disappearing into the Canopy
While the lower level was all about vibrant, artistic energy, the upper level—the Crow's Nest—needed a completely different vibe. Perched at the very top of the canopy above the spiral staircase, this smaller nest was designed as a quiet, solitary escape. Because the neighbors had a clear, direct view of this high point, the family wanted to be thoughtful of their surroundings and keep the structure low-profile. To make it blend in and feel like a secret hideaway, we completely shifted the color theory. We traded the vibrant teals and oranges for natural greens and earth tones, blending the main weave seamlessly into the surrounding Podocarpus leaves. To give the space its own hidden personality, we wove a subtle, neutral checkerboard floor and tucked in a custom lilac and goldenrod dreamcatcher. It’s a quiet nod to the artistic energy downstairs, but completely under wraps. From the ground looking up, the Crow's Nest completely disappears into the canopy, creating a private escape where you can sit completely hidden in the branches and just watch the surfers out on the Pacific and the planes take off from the San Diego airport.
The Ultimate Backyard Transformation
Ultimately, this project highlights exactly what makes a custom Treenet so special. It’s not just about adding a cool feature to a backyard; it’s about transforming an underutilized space into a living, breathing part of the home. By taking care of the mature Podocarpus trees and working hand-in-hand with the family’s design aesthetic, we were able to create a safe, whimsical, and incredibly durable retreat that will grow alongside them. Whether the day calls for high-energy Nerf battles or a quiet sunset watching the planes touch down at SAN, this suspended oasis is a perfect reminder to what happens when you decide to look up, think outside the box, and build something extraordinary right out your back door.