A visit to our yard at 5300 Excelsior Road in Sacramento is the best way to choose natural stone. Color and texture look different in person, and our staff can show you stones side by side. A little preparation turns a browse into a finished plan with a quote. This guide lists what to bring, when to come, what to wear, and what to ask. Anna and the staff enjoy hearing about your project, so come ready to talk about it.
What to bring
If you are working with a landscaper or contractor, you are welcome to come in together. It helps when the person installing the stone can see it and ask about thickness, base and quantities.
- Measurements: measure every area with a tape measure and bring the numbers. We can quote based on your rock choice. See how much flagstone do I need.
- Your landscape plan: if you have one for a major project, bring it in. It helps Anna make suggestions about stone on your property.
- A photo of your house: especially early in a design or redesign. We can suggest stone that complements your home.
- Photos of the site: the pool, pond, slope or wall where stone will go.
When to come
We are open Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Saturday, 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. We are closed Sunday. Please arrive at least 45 minutes before closing so our staff have time to help you. Big projects deserve extra time, so earlier in the day is better. Details are on our visit the yard page.
Allow time to walk the yard. Stone looks different in different light, and our selection is spread across pallets and bins. Many customers visit more than once before a big project.
What to tell our staff
We like hearing about the setting. The more you share, the better we can help with color, cost management and design.
If you are still early in the design, that is fine. Tell us what you like and what you do not, and we will show you options to react to.
- Where the stone goes: patio, walkway, wall, pool, pond, waterfall or fire pit.
- What is underneath: concrete slab or soil.
- How the area is used: foot traffic, entertaining, pets, pool water.
- Whether matching stone across a large job matters.
Tips for the day
Bring a notebook or use your phone to list stone names, sizes and the square footage for each area. It makes the quote and any later reorder simple.
- Wear closed-toe shoes. It is a working stone yard.
- Bring a phone to photograph stones and pallet tags.
- Ask to see stone wet and dry to compare colors.
- Check the clearance area. It holds heavily discounted stone we are not restocking.
- Plan how the stone gets home. Pallets need a forklift and a flatbed, so ask about delivery.
One stop for the whole job
Roundtree Rock & Gardening, our sister company, shares the yard. It sells river rock and gravel, bark, soil, sand, compost and decomposed granite. We carry masonry tools, sealers, mortar, blocks and Alliance products. You can plan stone, base and supplies in one trip. Call (916) 363-4239 to check what is in the yard today.