The other day we took a drive down to Santa Cruz, California. Santa Cruz is the quintessential beach town complete with surfers and an amusement park on the boardwalk. I’ve been visiting this beautiful place since my early teens for a day of fun in the sun and still enjoy going back to this day. Included in this post are three images for your viewing pleasure. Be sure to click on each, especially Image 3 where you can see the beach boardwalk panorama up close!
Image 1: Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse holds a surfing museum which opened its doors in June 1986 as the first surfing museum in the world. The lighthouse was built in 1967 as a memorial to surfer Mark Abott, who died while surfing at the nearby Pleasure Point surf break.
Image 2: The beautiful waters edge.
Image 3: A panorama shot of the beach boardwalk.
Surfing Museum
June 10, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Beautiful – I love the lighthouse.
June 10, 2015 at 6:37 pm
Thanks Dan! That’s my favorite too. 🙂
June 10, 2015 at 5:57 pm
All three look great Laura!
June 10, 2015 at 6:38 pm
Thanks so much! I really love it there.
June 10, 2015 at 6:32 pm
I like the first shot the best. The color and lighting give it a nice mood. I love Santa Cruz and have fond memories. I spent several weekends there in 1970 while stationed at Fort Ord. My grandmother lived just a couple of blocks from the beach and I would stay with her. I got a free place to stay and she got to show off her soldier boy grandson from Missouri. I still have a Surf Museum souvenir hoody from 15+ years ago.
June 10, 2015 at 6:39 pm
That is so neat David! I’m so glad you shared this with me and that the photos brought back some fond memories. Maybe we rode the Big Dipper together! 😉
June 10, 2015 at 8:17 pm
Great lighting and coloring techniques on the images. The cliffs behind the lighthouse used to extend several hundred feet into the ocean in the 1970’s and there weren’t any fences near the lighthouse. The sea is encroaching on the light house and will swallow it all up one day. Only the pictures and memories will keep it alive.
June 10, 2015 at 9:38 pm
Thanks Peter about how I went about processing the image. I’m also glad you shared what’s happening to the coast there. It’s happening all up and down the coast. Very sad. I love this place and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks again!
June 10, 2015 at 10:06 pm
Very pleasing, Laura. Your talent is wonderful.
June 11, 2015 at 6:21 am
Thank you Tommy…that’s such a nice thing to say!!
June 10, 2015 at 11:50 pm
Love the light!
June 11, 2015 at 6:21 am
Thanks Raj 🙂
June 11, 2015 at 12:18 am
I really appreciate your work. They’re authentic and pleasant to view. You were recommended and I’m challenged to take every bit of project seriously. welldone!
June 11, 2015 at 6:22 am
I have to say as corny as this sounds, your comment made me cry this morning…in a good way. Thank you so much. :)))
June 11, 2015 at 7:31 am
I remember Santa Cruz from a visit many years ago!! your photos do it justice and brought back memories.
June 11, 2015 at 7:33 am
Oh you were here! Maybe we rode the rollercoaster together lol. Thank you Hanna for your compliment. 🙂
June 11, 2015 at 7:36 am
yes Laura, I even fell in love there on my visit- remember the movie American Boyfriends!!? lol
June 11, 2015 at 7:54 am
Ohhh…what a great memory for you then! Sweet!
June 11, 2015 at 9:18 am
Love the second shot….great composition, light and colours
June 11, 2015 at 9:38 am
Thanks Mark, I’m glad you like it! Such a pretty place.
June 11, 2015 at 7:16 pm
Love it; just about flip about #2. thanks for bringing the ocean to me when I can’t get to it. vw
June 11, 2015 at 9:00 pm
I’m so glad you like it! Hope you could smell the salt air!
June 13, 2015 at 8:50 pm
Just about. 🙂
June 11, 2015 at 9:00 pm
And whoops….thank you!
June 12, 2015 at 1:23 am
beautiful and so calm and peaceful. I think this would be a lovely place to sit and take a nap by the water.
June 12, 2015 at 11:08 am
Thank you! I could do that too…sometimes I have!
June 12, 2015 at 3:22 am
Wonderful photos, Laura! The panorama is exciting…makes me want to go there, a lovely place!
June 12, 2015 at 11:09 am
Thank you so much. 🙂 Glad you liked that panorama. It really is such a pretty place.
June 12, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Beautiful shots, Laura. Loved all three!!! *sighs* How I wish I was there!!! (((HUGS))) Amy ❤
June 12, 2015 at 12:10 pm
Thank you :-). It’s so pretty there. Oddly enough this is the fewest likes I’ve had in a very long time song was thinking they were crappy. Kinda matches my mood lol.
June 12, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Traffic has been really down, Laura. My stats are really low, but I have not been pushing either much. I just don’t have it right now. Things will get better. In more ways then one. Yes I know it can be upsetting when the likes decline. Try not letting that get to you. I know how hard you work. Believe me!!! Hope your weekend is a good one! Keeping fingers crossed for the both of us!!! Love, Amy ❤
June 12, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Maybe because school is letting out. At least here it is today. I’m trying to realize that the blog is not everything. It’s about my hobby which provides me so many hours of pleasure. Have a good weekend too Amy. :))
June 13, 2015 at 6:26 am
Great shots. Specially the lighthouse
June 13, 2015 at 7:21 am
Thanks so much. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
June 13, 2015 at 12:51 pm
All soooooo good. I just love the lighthouse though, the feel of that one is so great.
July 16, 2015 at 9:47 am
The lighthouse is one of my favorite spots in Santa Cruz! Great shot
July 16, 2015 at 10:53 am
Me too, thank you Michael 🙂