[morleytj]

I guess my general question in those scenarios is why spend time and water maintaining a lawn of plants that can't grow normally in the local climate? There are definitely plants which survive in the area year round in many places in the US.

[rconti]

I haven't investigated it because I don't have kids, but I think whatever comprises a typical domestic lawn is a better play/recreation surface than any kind of plants that are native out west.

I think the alternative is artificial surfaces which of course have benefits and drawbacks.

I'm hoping to replace my lawn with low/no-water alternatives soon, but, hey, landscaping is expensive.

[aidenn0]

It's an expectation. Sometimes just peer-pressure, sometimes with legal backing (there are many HOAs that require lawns, sometimes with a specific list of allowed grasses).