I spend a lot of time telling people that a low-water use garden does not have to be only succulents and cacti. And it doesn’t! In San Diego we are lucky to be able to grow waterwise plants from Mediterranean climates around the world: New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Spain, Italy, the south of France. 
In fact, I think a really great succulent and cactus garden is one of the most difficult to design! Many amateurs who try end up with a messy looking hodgepodge polka-dotted with dozens of different types of plants. The result is anything but beautiful – instead it is often a random, busy, and overwhelming collection of plants, gravel, and rocks.
Here is an example of one done very well. I found this one in Scripps Ranch but I’m afraid I don’t know the designer. I wish I did! This is one designer I’d definitely like to know.
