The tall, dead yellow grass in California is non-native avena. A pesticide that selectively killed it (and actually succeeded in killing nothing else) would be an ecological miracle.

Having said that, people in the cities should plant natives and consider replacing lawns with native wildflower mix and paths. They attract beneficial insects, and those attract and support native birds. It’s also much lower maintenance.

Native insects and birds typically cannot survive on non-native plants. From animals’ perspective, your lush non-native garden may as well be asphalt.

You can find local natives for your neighborhood’s microclimate here:

https://calscape.org/