You'll need a 2x2x2 footing in Roseville I believe (earthquake zone #4)

You can rent a concrete saw & cut out to 1' then dig out to the 2' and use a 12" sona tube for the 8" above the existing deck.

Or you could form a sqare and pore that, then frame up a bit for a column base of rock veneer, use a 6x6 post & trimn it with aztec exterior sheathing..

Also you should be able to get down to 2 posts, check my beam sizing & post sizing tables on my deck site:

http://decks-ca.com/

...just had a quick look, a 6x12 will work http://decks-ca.com/Deck_Beam_Sizes.html smaller if the 12' is the other way.

http://www.altereagle.com/

Alter Eagle Construction & Design

...So I guess spanning over the 15' wide patio with a 16' 6x12 girder would not pass permit? I'll have to look into that.....couldn't find that length on the chart.

David

I believe you can over hang the beam 1'6 giving you a less than 14' span, shorten the deck to 11'6 then place the beam at 10' out, cantilever the joists 1'6 as well.

You'll loose 6" of deck but only need 2 posts, use brackets ...2 @ 45 deg. attached with 1/2 MB should do. That will keep you from having to use cross bracing.

Check your local codes as well, the building dept usually have a hand out for decks.

http://www.altereagle.com/

http://decks-ca.com

http://kingofcrown.com

Alter Eagle Construction & Design