We had the good fortune of connecting with Catherine McCullough and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Catherine, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
I feel like consistency has helped me to propel forward in my life, and especially during the pandemic. Not only do I find it creates boundaries and expectations for those around you, but for myself for self-esteem and personal growth. I have found through the recent COVID-19 pandemic I have found consistency has especially helped me to create and keep a schedule that keeps me on track and efficient throughout my day.


What should our readers know about your business?
I believe the driving force behind our business is the passion my husband, David our principal, holds for the built environment. He strives for the world to be a better place for tomorrow. He believes there’s a story behind every project and its users, and the imperfections in nature are a big player in that story. His passion is evident in his approach to design and is contagious to others who work with him, including our firm family of designers. As his #1 fan and Chief Marketing Officer of our firm, I found it my job to share his passion with as many as possible and hope others will agree with this approach to the built environment. It’s become important to position him in important roles and organizations to meet people and work together to seek common goals. I truly believe building relationships is something that takes time. Alignment with those with similar goals is not something that happens overnight.


If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

My suggested itinerary for my friend would be (can you tell I once held a position in the tourism industry?):

Day 1. Take an Old Town Trolley Tour of San Diego. I’ve always felt this gives a great overview of the highlights of our beautiful city. Thus, allowing my friend the opportunity to determine where they would want to spend more time exploring on another day of their trip. Depending on preference, perhaps the following days would be in a different order, or possibly more time spent in one location.

Day 2. Spend time at Balboa Park exploring gardens and museums. Lunch at The Prado restaurant. Late afternoon or sunset views from the California Tower at the Museum of Man is a must.

Day 3. Rent bikes in Little Italy, downtown San Diego and have an early lunch in Seaport Village, and then ride to the Embarcadero to catch the ferry to Coronado Island. Once in Coronado, ride the boardwalk around the island and stop at the beach near Hotel del Coronado. Ice cream at Moo Time Creamery and take Orange St back to the Ferry Landing to ride back to downtown San Diego.

Day 4. Drive to Julian for the day and have lunch and shop the quaint downtown area. Apple Crumb Pie for dessert at Julian Pie Company is a perfect end to the day.

Day 5. Spend the day shopping on Prospect and Girard in La Jolla, and then have time on the sand at La Jolla Cove. If the water is warm, snorkeling is also a great chance to see the beautiful California Garibaldi fish with their speckles of bright orange among the sea bottom. Dinner at any one of the fabulous restaurants on Girard to end the day.

Day 6. After having yummy fish or carnitas tacos at The Taco Stand on Pearl St., hike Torrey Pines State Beach and either end up on the sand for a fun day swimming in the ocean, or peruse the many trails at the top. Perhaps if it’s low tide a beautiful stroll between Torrey Pines to La Jolla Shores can be made. I would suggest ending the day with a drive up to the Mt Soledad cross to watch the sunset.

Day 7. On the last day it’s a toss up between a hike up Cowles Mountain in the morning and lunch after at The Trails Eatery on Jackson; or possibly a day spent strolling the shops at Liberty Station, lunch at Stone Brewery and a drive to the Lighthouse on Point Loma at Cabrillo National Monument; or lastly, a day trip to Tijuana and possibly down to Las Rocas Resort in South Rosarito, with shopping along the way. Tacos next door to Las Rocas at K38 Tacos is a must before basking in the sun alongside the vanishing-edge pool with a pina colada in hand.


Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I credit all the successes in my life to my faith in Christ, first and foremost. Also, I have had many mentors, friendships, and influencers in my life. However, those that stands out the most in my gratitude are my husband, David, and our children, Will and Molly, along with my three sisters and our parents.

Website: www.mlasd.com

Instagram: @mcculloughlandarch

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mccullough-landscape-architecture-inc-

Twitter: @mlasd

Facebook: @mcculloughlandarch

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mccullough-landscape-architecture-san-diego?osq=mccullough+landscape+architecture

Image Credits
McCullough Landscape Architecture (project photos only)

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