I recently moved to a new home in San Diego. Before selling, the previous owners cut down the entire front yard and put in "low maintenance" landscaping. Besides it being ugly as sin (I know that's a personal preference) and including zero native plants, I think it's likely an erosion risk. The whole yard is sloped about 15% from the foundation of the house down to the retaining wall. The overall dimensions are \~45' wide and 18' deep.

I'm hoping to rebuild the yard into something beautiful, helpful for local wildlife, and less likely to wash away in the first big storm. I'm especially worried about that last part with El Niño this year. What I'm picturing in my head is a row of California buckwheat along the base of the porch, some large shrubs (considering ceanothus, lemonadeberry, scrub oak, toyon, but open to suggestions) placed across the slope, with native bunchgrasses and annuals in the space leftover. That said, I have a few questions:

1. Should I terrace the slope or leave it as is? Or build other earthworks like swales? The soil is very sandy and drains quickly.

2. How urgently should I aim to finish this project before the rain comes this fall?

3. Is the idea I mentioned above a decent use of space? If you had free rein with this space, what would you do?

I appreciate any advice you knowledgable people have!

Front yard ideas/inspiration?