We're looking at having to cover about 1/4 of an acre, so it's that's a fairly big area for sod. We'd have to get about 17 pallets of sod and it will be about $95 a pallet (not including labor). If we go the sod route, I'm going to get family to help us lay the sod. I'm not going to pay $100 a pallet for someone to lay it for me.
So, it's cheaper (hyrdroseed), but there's more maintenance involved. I wonder if it's too late in the year to have it done here in north Texas?
I would consider it too late for California. I don't know what the weather is like in N Texas.You need regular sun and controlled irrigation. If there's a chance for a lot of overcast weather or a big rain then you want to avoid anything but sod.
I don't think you need as much sun as you think. You just need to keep that seed wet. If you till, seed, rake and roll, you'll be fine for big rain unless your property has a significant slope in which case you can hay it as well.
It's not just a constant slope. The hydroseed will wash away in the drainage pattern with a heavy rain. It can be fixed, but it's a pain in the ###.
Haven't had that problem when haying, but that's just from my specific experience. If property is flat, need to be concerned about puddling, but that why its necessary to follow steps I've listed to ensure seeds just aren't sitting on the soil and more likely to get washed away.
ETA: This is related to just plain seeding. I'm not sure benefit of hydroseeding other than quicker germination which seems a moot point if you have proper irrigation where time isn't a factor.