Any sugestions of something that would work for what I described?

The only non-grass ground cover that I think will take some foot traffic
is dichondra. D. micrantha (aka D. repens) is hardy to about 20F, but
walking on it in freezing weather will leave dead footprints.

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--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary