GroundLevel teamed with Lionakis to design this new middle school campus for San Dieguito Union High School District within the upscale San Diego community of Carmel Valley. Pacific Trails is located adjacent to Canyon Crest Academy, one of the highest performing high schools in San Diego County. The campus and is oriented around a large central quad and amphitheater that serves as the living room for the campus where assemblies, events and ceremonies are held. Multiple seating niches, intimately scaled gathering spaces and outdoor classroom spaces can be found throughout the campus. The campus landscape palette consists of a colorful and texturally diverse combination of native and naturalized plant species thoughtfully organized according to their water-use requirements. The planting palette and the drip irrigation system that serves it creates a beautiful setting for the educational experience while saving the District on its monthly maintenance and water costs.