Landscape and Home Lighting in Encinitas, CA
Landscape, home exterior and interior lighting designed, installed and cared for by a locally owned Encinitas team since 1992.
About Us
Lighting Distinctions is a locally owned family business, launched in 1992 and led by owner Joel Barnett. We design, install and care for lighting that makes San Diego homes feel finished after dark.
Our lighting specialists are certified by the American Lighting Association, and we work with licensed and insured installers. Every system is planned around your property, then tuned at night so the light lands where it should.
Our Crew at Work
From wrapping trees in light to wiring eaves and setting path lights, this is our team on real installs around San Diego.
Lighting Services for Homes, HOAs and Hotels
From the first walk through to the night we tune the last fixture, one team designs, installs and cares for your lighting.
Landscape Lighting Design
Custom low voltage LED landscape lighting for trees, gardens, walls and art, designed for your yard and tuned at night so every fixture lands right.
Learn more
Home Exterior Lighting
Exterior lighting that shows off your home's architecture at night: facades, entries, columns, eaves and garage doors, lit with LED fixtures in the color you choose.
Learn more
Pool and Water Feature Lighting
Underwater LED and fiber optic pool lights, deck lighting and spotlights for waterfalls, ponds and fountains, so your water becomes the focal point after dark.
Learn more
Path and Walkway Lighting
Path lights, post lights, step and tread lighting that keep walkways, stairs and driveways safe at night and make your garden inviting to walk through.
Learn more
Outdoor Living Lighting
Lighting and sound for patios, decks, porches and gardens, with hidden fixtures and outdoor audio, so your backyard works as well at night as it does by day.
Learn more
Interior Lighting Design
Whole home interior lighting design and installation: recessed, pendant, cove, shelf and art lighting chosen room by room for how you live in each space.
Learn more
Smart Home Lighting Controls
App controlled lighting for inside and out: scenes, dimming, schedules, sunset timers and motion lighting, set up so your home lights itself the way you like.
Learn more
Permanent Holiday Lighting
Permanent LED roofline lights you control from your phone: colors and effects for every holiday, game day or birthday, and clean white light the rest of the year.
Learn more
Landscape Lighting Maintenance and Repair
Landscape lighting repair and our 8 point maintenance program: wiring checks, lamp replacement, lens cleaning, aiming and timer settings to keep every fixture working.
Learn more
Commercial Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting design, installation and maintenance for HOAs, hotels and other commercial properties, trusted by Rancho Bernardo Inn and L'Auberge Del Mar.
Learn moreTrusted by North County Hotels for Decades
Some of the area's best known hotels rely on us for lighting design, installation and supply. See our commercial landscape lighting.
L'Auberge Del Mar
A client since 1997, supplied with fixtures and lamps plus an energy efficient lighting retrofit.
Rancho Bernardo Inn
A client since 1992, now working with us on a landscape lighting upgrade.
Cape Rey Carlsbad
Lighting system design and installation.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Carlsbad
Lighting system design and installation.
Try Your Outdoor Lighting at Night, at Your Own Home
Lighting is hard to picture on paper. With our 3-Day Outdoor Lighting Trial, we set up temporary lights at your house so you can see the design after sunset, then add or remove lights until it feels right. Once you approve it, we install, come back at night to fine tune every fixture and show you the controls.
See Our Work After Dark
Real projects from client homes around San Diego and North County.
Our Lighting on Video
Short clips from real Lighting Distinctions projects.
Pathways, Pools and Repairs
A short look at recent path, pool and garden lighting by our team.
Natural Looking Outdoor Lighting
Gardens, pools and entries lit to feel welcoming after dark.
Color Scenes for Every Occasion
Color changing lights set for holidays and everyday evenings.
Service Areas Across San Diego and North County
Based in Encinitas, we light homes and properties from the coast to inland North County.
What Our Clients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
What lighting services does Lighting Distinctions offer?
We handle landscape lighting design, home exterior lighting, pool and water feature lighting, interior lighting, smart home controls, permanent holiday lighting and maintenance and repair, for homes and for HOAs and hotels.
Which areas do you serve?
We are based in Encinitas and work across San Diego and North County, including Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Carmel Valley, Oceanside, San Marcos and Escondido.
Can I see the lighting at my house before I commit?
Yes. With our 3-Day Outdoor Lighting Trial we set up temporary lights at your home so you can see the design at night, then add or remove lights before anything is finalized. Read more on our landscape lighting design page.
How do I get a quote for a lighting project?
Call us or send the form on our contact page. We start with a free consultation at your home to talk through the areas you want lit and your budget.
Do you only work on new systems?
No. We also clean, repair and tune existing landscape lighting, and we recommend a check every six months. See maintenance and repair.
Do you use LED fixtures?
Yes. We recommend low voltage LED systems with weatherproof solid brass and copper outdoor fixtures, which use less energy and need fewer lamp changes than older halogen systems.
Can I control my lights from my phone?
Yes. Our smart home lighting controls let you set scenes, schedules and dimming from an app, and lights can switch on automatically at sunset.
Contact Us
Tell us what you would like to light and we will set up a time to visit, walk the property with you and talk through ideas and budget.
Contact Us
Tell us about your home or property and we will be in touch to set up your free consultation.
Call us to get started
Our team will set up a time to visit and talk through your lighting.
Call Us (760) 635-3341