Q.ground cover
I live in Oak View. I don’t know the zone. Very hot summers.
I want a ground cover that can take the heat, has very little color (want to accent with other colorful plants),
spreads low to the ground, and if possible, gophers don’t like it.
You are in zone 9.
Here are some links with some information and suggestions.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/drought-tolerant-ground-covers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/juniper/growing-creeping-junipers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/fogen/silver-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/pachysandra/pachysandra-ground-cover.htm