How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is clearly Ocean
Arthur C. Clarke
I have always been drawn to the sea, especially at its wildest. As a child we made regular winter visits to an aunt and uncle in the English seaside resort of Eastbourne. There I liked nothing better than a walk to what was known as Splash Point, where at high tides the waves break over the promenade and walkers have to time their progress carefully not to be drenched in spray!
But the English Channel is tame compared to the waters of the great oceans such as the Pacific. As we made our way along the northern California coast on our recent road trip I delighted in trying to capture its power through my photographs.
The galleries below are compiled from some of my favourite shots taken at each of our stopping points. On the first and third days of our journey up the coast we had glorious sunshine, as you will see. On the second day we had the fog and sea fret for which this coast is notorious. But that only served lend variety to my shots and create a very different atmosphere. I’m glad to have seen this coastline in both weather conditions.
Point Reyes
I showed you the lighthouse at Point Reyes in my September Pick a Word post. The views below were captured from the path to the lighthouse, looking north.
Point Arena
Another day, another lighthouse, but this time with fog and a sea fret. Yet I took some of my favourite photos here!
I also shot a short video to try to capture the movement of the waves and the sounds of wind and water.
Glass Beach, Fort Bragg
I already shared one photo from here in one of my virtual Postcards from California. Here are a couple more.
Laguna Point
Just a few miles north of Fort Bragg we stopped again to walk out to Laguna Point. I’d heard seals were often spotted here, and sometimes even whales offshore. We saw neither, but it didn’t matter. This was my favourite of all our coastal stops, in part because of the colourful ice plants that formed such a contrasting foreground to the waves beyond.
I visited the California coast in September 2024
30 Comments
Marie
Stunning – I don’t know any of these places…..
the eternal traveller
No, we were right along the coast.
the eternal traveller
We travelled along this part of the coast by train. The scenery was fantastic.
Sarah Wilkie
That would be fun – although you wouldn’t have seen this stretch of coast as the train runs quite a way inland north of San Francisco I think?
Linda K
Give me a rugged coastline any day to take pictures of! Yours are stunning and the different weather just makes the photos even better!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Linda 😊 I agree, a rugged coastline is by far the best sort for photography!
Egídio
I surely hope to do that drive on Hwy 1 in California. The scenery is beautiful, as your photos show that well.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m sure you would love this drive Egidio! Thank you for the kind comment about my photos 😊
Egídio
You’re welcome. I need to plan a road trip again.
Vicki
Lovely series of seascapes.
I love the fog and wild crashing waves (partly because it’s rare for me to go down to the beach on those days).
The coastline is definitely majestic on that side of the world.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Vicki, I’m happy to have given you a virtual visit to the sea 🙂 Majestic is a great word to describe this coastline!
Sue
What a fabulously craggy coastline and fierce, wild sea!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sue 🙂
thehungrytravellers.blog
Fantastic. Every coastline has a character, some bigger than others!
Sarah Wilkie
Very true – I’m glad you enjoyed this one 🙂 Thank you Phil!
Heyjude
The Pacific Ocean is wonderful. I don’t know this stretch of the coast, but fell in love with the Pacific Rim on Vancouver Island and also driving down to San Diego in quite challenging weather. And of course the opposite coastline on Australia’s east coast where the beaches are beautiful.
Sarah Wilkie
Oh yes, the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island is stunning too! We loved it there 😃
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
How lovely! The sea never disappoints, does it?
Sarah Wilkie
Indeed it doesn’t! Thank you Anabel 😊
Rebecca
Now this is a part of California I’ve only passed through, but never stopped to visit! I’ve been along Big Sur, which I believe is one of the most-beautiful coastal parts of my home state. Goes to show that there’s never a bad view of the Pacific Ocean when you’re in California! Thanks for sharing, Sarah 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
We loved the Big Sur but found this area of coastline just as spectacular, in places at least, and probably more varied 😀
Terri Webster Schrandt
Beautiful seascapes, Sarah! The norcal coast is so different from southern cal’s famous beaches. Sadly I didn’t explore much of the northern California beaches. I loved the video!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Terri – glad you enjoyed the video too 🙂 I much prefer this coastline to that further south, e.g. heading down from LA. But I remember loving the Big Sur’s wonderful coastal scenery!
margaret21
I love a craggy coast and you found lots of photo ops (and a video op!) here.
Sarah Wilkie
You would love Northern California then – plenty of cragginess to be found there!
Easymalc
I love the sea in all its moods – but only from land when it’s rough.
Sarah Wilkie
I even like being ON the sea when moderately rough, but perhaps not too rough!
Easymalc
Same here!
Anne Sandler
Beautiful captures Sarah! I liked the video. I’m not a beach person, but I do like our Northern California rocky coastline. We can sit and watch the waves. How mighty is the ocean. Have you seen any black sand beaches?
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anne 🙂 I’m not a ‘sit on the beach’ person but I do like to walk on them and to be near the sea, especially one with plenty of movement! I’ve seen black sand beaches in Iceland.