North County San Diego
Transformational Hardscaping & Landscaping
Family-built outdoor spaces across North County San Diego for over 50 years.
- Family-owned since 1972
- Licensed & insured
- BBB accredited
- Owner-operated, every project
North County Landscaping & Hardscaping
Quality work in every project.
Recent Work
Built here. Built to last.
Our Services
Everything Your Outdoor Space Needs
No project is too big or too small. AJ Criss covers all hardscaping and landscaping needs — for homeowners and industry leading contractors.
How We Work
From first walk-through to final walkthrough.
01
Site visit & free quote
We walk your property with you, listen to how you want to use it, and give you a clear, written quote.
02
Design that fits
Materials, layout, drainage and grading planned for your yard and the San Diego climate — with suggestions from five decades of builds.
03
Built by our crew
Our own team does the work, with the owner on site throughout and communication at every step.
04
We stand behind it
A final walkthrough together, and a family name on the line long after the crew packs up.
About Us
Years of Craftsmanship. One Family.
Over five decades, one thing hasn’t changed: every project that leaves our hands has to be something we’re proud to put our name on. AJ Criss is a family-run operation built on the belief that outdoor spaces deserve the same craftsmanship as the homes they surround — and North County San Diego homeowners have trusted us to deliver that since 1972.
- Licensed, Insured & BBB Accredited
- Owner-Operated. Every Project.
- Designed for San Diego
In Their Words
Homeowners who’ve lived with our work.
“Best home improvement experience I ever had. Tony and his team are great, Did fantastic work on a very large backyard project, pavers, retaining walls into the hillside, gorgeous fireplace with free standing redwood pergola, also added a very large attached patio cover with custom redwood beamed ceiling and copper colored metal roof including fans and skylights. They also added sprinklers and outdoor lighting.”
“Tony Criss and his team did a great job on our landscape project. Tony was frequently onsite and Lucia came out several times to check on things as well. The communication was excellent. The team showed up early every morning and worked hard into the afternoon. Everyone was very responsive and they addressed all of our concerns. The work was done right and exceeded our expectations.”
“AJ Criss does outstanding work. He and his team are very experienced, creative and work well with homeowners to install the project in an on-time, reliable and high value manner. His bid came in higher than some other contractors, but the quality of the work was well worth it. Before signed on with Tony, he took us to see several of his projects and we were able to talk to the homeowners. All of the projects were outstanding and Tony and crew stand behind their work. in addition, they worked with us and offered suggestions that enhanced our project. Four years later, everything looks great. Thank you Tony and crew!”
“I agree with all of the other 5 star reviews about AJ Criss. I recently hired them to renovate my yard using plans that I obtained from a landscape designer. Not only did they execute the plans flawlessly, but they also worked with us to improve the plans and make sure we were satisfied with the end result. Throughout the entire process, they were great at communicating with us and following through on everything they promised. In addition, they were able to significantly reduce our water usage through their expertise in sustainable landscaping. They were able to transform my yard into a beautiful and functional space that my family and I can enjoy for years to come. I highly recommend AJ Criss to anyone looking for a reliable and skilled landscape company.”
Service Area
Proudly serving North County San Diego.
Based in Escondido since 1972, our crews work across North County and Greater San Diego. Don’t see your town? Give us a call — there’s a good chance we’re already nearby.
- Escondido
- San Marcos
- Vista
- Carlsbad
- Oceanside
- Encinitas
- Solana Beach
- Del Mar
- Rancho Santa Fe
- Poway
- Rancho Bernardo
- 4S Ranch
- Valley Center
- Fallbrook
- Bonsall
- Ramona
Common questions
Does AJ Criss Industries give free quotes for landscaping and hardscaping?
Yes. AJ Criss Industries visits your property, talks through what you have in mind, and gives you a written quote at no cost. Call (760) 489-5120 or request a quote online.
Which areas does AJ Criss Industries serve?
AJ Criss Industries is based in Escondido and works throughout North County and Greater San Diego, including Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and more.
Who actually does the work?
AJ Criss Industries's own crew, with the owner on site. AJ Criss Industries is a family-run, owner-operated company that has been building outdoor spaces in North County since 1972. It is licensed, insured and BBB accredited.
How do I check that a landscaping contractor is licensed in California?
Look the contractor up on the Contractors State License Board website or call 800-321-CSLB (2752). The CSLB also advises asking for certificates of liability and workers' compensation insurance before work begins. AJ Criss Industries is licensed, insured and BBB accredited.
How much of a deposit can a contractor ask for in California?
For a home improvement contract, the down payment cannot exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less, and later payments cannot exceed the value of the work completed.
Source: Contractors State License Board
Ready to Get Started?
Let’s talk about your yard.
Send us a note or give us a call. You’ll hear back from the family, not a call center.
- (760) 489-5120
- contact@ajcriss.com
- 1418 Golden Crest Dr, Escondido, CA 92029