(Click underlined title to see more) Vulpia myuros, a common aggressively invasive annual non-native annual grass that grows in wild areas of the San Diego region, native to Europe, and gets up to about a foot tall.  Another caution about it is that it's highly flammable if ignited when dry.  However, it makes attractive golden straw color when dry, especially when the grass blades are largely bent in a somewhat prostrate manner, which makes the blades reflect more light, and thus giving a more shiny golden look.  The concept of using short grass that turns shiny golden when dead is an interesting design feature if used well, though so far nearly never done in built landscapes, though is particularly good and practical used in rustic orchard-scapes if a meadow effect is desired.  This location is near Mt. Miguel.