My Top 7 Beaches to Photograph in Southern California
There is something about photographing the Southern California coast that never gets old.
I have spent a lot of time with a camera near the ocean, and I still find myself stopping when the light hits just right. Sometimes it is a dramatic sunset. Sometimes it is fog rolling through. Other times, it is nothing more than the way the waves are moving or the last bit of light catching the cliffs.
The great thing about photographing Southern California beaches is that no two visits are ever quite the same. The tide changes. The weather changes. The light changes. Even a place I have photographed dozens of times can suddenly look completely different.
Over the years, these are seven of my favorite places to photograph along the Southern California coast.
1. El Matador State Beach
If someone asked me to pick one beach that represents Southern California photography, El Matador would be very high on my list.
The beach has almost everything I look for in a photograph. Dramatic cliffs. Sea caves. Rock formations. Waves. And those giant rock arches and sea stacks that seem to change character depending on the light.
It is especially beautiful around sunset, when the rocks start to glow and the sun drops toward the Pacific.
But I actually like arriving before sunset. Some of my favorite photographs happen before the sky becomes dramatic. The beach is quieter, the light is softer, and you have time to walk around and look for compositions instead of immediately chasing the sunset.
The rocks and caves also make El Matador interesting when the sky is not cooperating. A cloudy day can actually be better for certain photographs because the softer light brings out the details in the cliffs.
My favorite time to photograph: Late afternoon through sunset.
What I look for: Sea stacks, reflections, waves moving around the rocks, and people against the scale of the cliffs.
2. La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is one of those places where I could probably photograph for hours and still come away with something different.
The coastline is beautiful, but what makes La Jolla especially interesting is the combination of the ocean, cliffs, wildlife and people.
The sea lions are obviously a big part of the experience. But I also love photographing the coastline itself. The water can be incredibly blue, especially when the sun is high, and the cliffs create some really interesting layers.
Then there are the sunsets.
A good La Jolla sunset can completely change the mood of the coastline. The rocks and water start taking on warmer tones while the sky changes every few minutes.
One of my favorite things about photographing here is that you do not necessarily need perfect conditions. There is enough going on that you can find something interesting even when the sunset is a bust.
My favorite time to photograph: Mid day for bright colors, late afternoon and sunset for the romantic vibe.
What I look for: Coastal cliffs, sea lions, waves, reflections, and the changing colors of the Pacific.
3.Point Dume
Point Dume is one of my favorite places to photograph when I want a little more than just a beach.
The cliffs give you elevation, which changes everything.
Instead of photographing the ocean from the shoreline, you can look down at the water, photograph the curve of the coastline, or use the cliffs themselves as part of the composition.
And then there is the view.
On a clear day, you can see a huge stretch of the Southern California coastline. The combination of the cliffs, ocean and horizon gives you plenty of opportunities to create photographs that feel much bigger than the actual location.
I especially like Point Dume when there are clouds in the sky. Southern California is famous for blue skies, but clouds give you something to work with. They add texture and drama and can turn an ordinary sunset into something special.
My favorite time to photograph: Golden hour/set. Recommend a cloudy foggy day with the marine layer if you want
What I look for: The coastline from above, cliffs, waves, silhouettes and big skies.
4. Leo Carrillo State Beach
Leo Carrillo is one of those places that feels a little different from some of the more recognizable Southern California beaches.
It has a more natural, rugged feeling. More organic
There are rocks along the shoreline, tide pools, cliffs and plenty of little details to photograph. I like places like this because they force you to slow down and actually look around.
You can photograph the big landscape, but there are also smaller photographs everywhere.
A wave hitting a rock. Patterns in the sand. A tide pool reflecting the sky.
The little details are often what make a photograph fun to photograph. The mixture of calm and the surprise of wildlife keep the beach fun for both you the photography and you take your family for a little adventure.
And like so many places along the Malibu coast, the light around sunset can be incredible.
My favorite time to photograph: Low tide and late afternoon.
What I look for: Tide pools, rocks, reflections, coastal textures and dramatic lighting.
5. Santa Monica Beach and Pier
Santa Monica Beach and Pier is completely different from the others on this list, and that is exactly why I love photographing it.
There is something about the combination of the pier, the Pacific Ocean, the Ferris wheel, the lights and all of the people that gives you endless possibilities. During the day, you can photograph the pier stretching out over the water. Around sunset, everything changes.
The sky becomes part of the photograph, and the pier gives you those strong leading lines that pull your eye toward the horizon.
Then, once the sun goes down, you have an entirely different scene. The lights come on, the Ferris wheel starts glowing and the pier becomes a completely different subject.
I think this is one of the best places on the Southern California coast to practice photographing the same location at different times of day.
My favorite time to photograph: Sunset into blue hour.
What I look for: The Ferris wheel, leading lines, silhouettes, reflections and the contrast between the lights and the ocean.
6. Oceanside
Oceanside has a completely different personality from the Malibu beaches.
It feels more relaxed and more like a classic California beach town.
The pier is obviously the star when it comes to photography. It gives you a great subject that stretches out into the Pacific, especially when you can get the sun setting behind it.
But I also like photographing around the pier rather than always photographing the pier itself.
With the iconic rocky beaches, you can get some great photos (and video!) with some unique views! Just be careful not to roll an ankle! I would also say, sometimes the best photograph is not the obvious one. Look at the reflections in the wet sand.
This is also another great place to people watch. You will be amazed. And don’t forget to stop the the house from Top Gun!
Oceanside is also a great reminder that you do not need some dramatic, remote landscape to make a good photograph. Sometimes a familiar California beach, a good sky and the right light are all you need.
My favorite time to photograph: Sunset and the hour afterward.
What I look for: The pier, reflections, silhouettes, surfers and classic California beach scenes.
7. Coronado Island, Beach and Bay-Side
Coronado is probably the most versatile location on this list because you can photograph two completely different environments within a relatively small area.
You have the Pacific Ocean on one side and San Diego Bay on the other.
The beach is beautiful, especially around the Hotel del Coronado. The wide stretch of sand gives you plenty of room to work with, and the hotel itself makes an incredible architectural subject against the ocean.
But I also really enjoy photographing the bay.
The mood is completely different.
Instead of the open Pacific, you have calmer water, boats, the San Diego skyline and the Coronado Bridge. Depending on the time of day, you can get beautiful reflections across the bay.
For me, that variety is what makes Coronado so much fun with a camera. You can spend part of the day photographing the beach and then head over to the bay and feel like you are photographing an entirely different place.
My favorite time to photograph: Golden hour through sunset.
What I look for: The Hotel del Coronado, beach reflections, silhouettes, boats, the skyline and the Coronado Bridge.
