[1][2] Festuca californica is a clumping perennial bunch grass, without rhizomes, that grows in greenish gray tufts.

[4] The inflorescence, on stems reaching up to 6 feet (180 cm), holds spikelets, which are each 1 to 2 centimeters long.

[5][6][7] It is planted under Coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) in gardens, being a drought-tolerant understory not requiring summer watering that can endanger the trees.

[8] It is also planted in landscapes for slope stabilization and erosion control, due to its deep and dense network of roots.

[4] Cultivars are grown, with different foliage color and texture aesthetic variations, they include: In ecological restoration projects, Festuca californica is used with other local native grasses for restoring California coastal prairie habitats.