Bean Hollow State Beach, located on the San Mateo Coast just south of Pescadero, offers excellent opportunities for tidepooling with an extensive area of rocks that becomes revealed at low tide. The tafoni rock features many grooves and holes which are perfect for sea urchins and these purple creatures were literally everywhere. There were also…
McClures Beach – Point Reyes
Spectacular McClures Beach is located towards the northern end of Point Reyes National Seashore. The broad sandy beach is enclosed by bluffs and rocks in a rugged setting with typically rough surf coming off the Pacific Ocean. The rock at the southern end of the beach, known as Elephant Rock, can be climbed for a…
Tidepooling – Point Reyes
Part IV of the Point Reyes photos adventure is tidepooling! These shots are taken at low tide on Sculptured Beach. The sea creatures here are plentiful and seemed larger than other local tidepooling areas. I suspect this is due to the remote and relatively undisturbed location. The rocks and small caves in the area provide virtually…
Secret Beach – Point Reyes
Part III of the Point Reyes photo adventure is Secret Beach, a hidden gem along the remote coastline of the southern district of Point Reyes National Seashore. This marvelous stretch of sand amid rugged cliffs and bluffs is only accessible at low tide (either negative or close to negative). One must walk through a small arch (the…
Sculptured Beach – Point Reyes
Following up on the Kelham Beach & Arch Rock post, Part II of the Point Reyes photo adventure is aptly named Sculptured Beach, with its namesake rock formations providing ample opportunity for exploration, inspiration, and natural beauty. There are several arches and bountiful sea creatures clinging to the rocks including mussels, anemones, and starfish making this…
Kelham Beach & Arch Rock – Point Reyes
As part of a day spent exploring some new spots in Point Reyes National Seashore, I enjoyed a gorgeous afternoon walk along Kelham Beach to Arch Rock and then beyond to an overlook of Wildcat Beach. Here are some of my favorite photos from this part of the day with the complete album here. More…
Pfeiffer Beach
Magnificent and unspoiled Pfeiffer Beach has a little bit of everything: an expansive sandy beach, rugged bluffs, huge rock formations with “windows”, tide pooling in low tide, and my favorite aspect, unique purple patches of sand! Since the beach has a western aspect, the location makes for glorious sunsets, especially as a setting sun peeks…
Jah Beach and Ship Rock
Just north of Bonny Doon is another unmarked beach known as Jah Beach. The setting of this beach is truly inspiring with towering cliffs and appropriately named Ship Rock thrusting from the sea in the narrow and rugged cove. This beach also contains a steep descent to reach it’s sandy shores. In addition, there is a…
Panther Beach & Hole in the Wall
North of Santa Cruz near the outpost of Davenport is a stretch of rugged coastline with rocky cliffs, sea stacks, and unique marine terraces interspersed with golden sandy beaches. Panther Beach and Hole in the Wall Beach are two of these stunning beaches. Both are located just south of Bonny Doon Road and accessed from the same…
Pigeon Point Sunset
Pigeon Point Light Station, built in 1871, is the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States standing 115 ft tall. It is located a few miles south of Pescadero on a rocky promontory with gorgeous views of the surrounding coastline and Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse is currently undergoing restoration to preserve this important heritage…
Leor Pantilat's Adventures