Mendocino Coast Gallery
Mendocino Coast South & North of Point Arena
(with a detour to pescadero near half moon bay & Big Creek south of Big sur)
In the course of my visits to Point Arena, I discovered the beauty of the rest of the Mendocino Coast - Bowling Ball Beach and Gualala Point in the south and Elk, Mendocino and Fort Bragg in the north. Often on my way north, I passed through Santa Cruz and Big Sur where other coastal landscapes were captured by my camera.
Puddle Jumper, Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, Caspar, CA
Dawn is not usually a very good time to shoot on the northern Mendocino Coast as fog and mist are the most likely weather. However, I knew that a storm had passed through the Point Cabrillo area overnight and thought I might get lucky. I did and, while it took some time to decide on the frame, ultimately, the rain puddle reflections won out as the focal point of the shot.
Dawn is not usually a very good time to shoot on the northern Mendocino Coast as fog and mist are the most likely weather. However, I knew that a storm had passed through the Point Cabrillo area overnight and thought I might get lucky. I did and, while it took some time to decide on the frame, ultimately, the rain puddle reflections won out as the focal point of the shot.
Drinking in the Still, Greenwood Cove, Elk, CA
Beacon Bar “By the Sea” is a house on a hilltop overlooking Elk and the Mendocino Coast as far north as the Navarro River. Bobby Beacon, the owner, built a bar there for his own entertainment and opens it to the public two days a week. People come for miles around to talk to Bobby and have a cocktail or a shot from his primo stash of fine spirits. The view is astonishing as you can see from this image.
Beacon Bar “By the Sea” is a house on a hilltop overlooking Elk and the Mendocino Coast as far north as the Navarro River. Bobby Beacon, the owner, built a bar there for his own entertainment and opens it to the public two days a week. People come for miles around to talk to Bobby and have a cocktail or a shot from his primo stash of fine spirits. The view is astonishing as you can see from this image.
Lightwave, Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, Caspar Headlands State Reserve, CA
In talking to a Mendocino local, I learned there was a view little known view of the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse from the north called Casper Headlands. It is rocky and dangerous but the wave action and cliffs are stunning. I went there at least a dozen times before I got this scene in a long series of shots on a gray and stormy day.
In talking to a Mendocino local, I learned there was a view little known view of the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse from the north called Casper Headlands. It is rocky and dangerous but the wave action and cliffs are stunning. I went there at least a dozen times before I got this scene in a long series of shots on a gray and stormy day.
Danger Zone, Greenwood Cove, Elk, CA
This roadside turnout, just past the town of Elk, is probably the best single view of the Mendocino Coast. It virtually never disappoints regardless of wind, waves and weather. The sea stacks, the roaring surf and the coast extending to the south are simply an unbeatable combination. Southbound vehicles on Highway 1 literally hit their brakes and turn off when they come around the curve at Cuffy's Cove Cemetery. and see it. Photographers, like me, can't resist it either.
This roadside turnout, just past the town of Elk, is probably the best single view of the Mendocino Coast. It virtually never disappoints regardless of wind, waves and weather. The sea stacks, the roaring surf and the coast extending to the south are simply an unbeatable combination. Southbound vehicles on Highway 1 literally hit their brakes and turn off when they come around the curve at Cuffy's Cove Cemetery. and see it. Photographers, like me, can't resist it either.
Evening comes to the bar, Gualala River Overlook, Gualala Point Regional Park, CA
Gualala Point is a spectacular feature of the southern Mendocino Coast with great views but for various reasons, I have never had the right light, clouds, sun angle, wind and surf to get the shot I wanted. One evening with time to kill before dinner in Gualala, I ran over to the park and snapped this image just before closing. I am not a particular fan of sunset photographs but this one has the town, the coast, Highway 1, the Gualala River and the tidal bar in the frame. Perfect. This image was awarded the "Judge's Award" at the Gualala Arts "Salon" exhibition in 2020.
Gualala Point is a spectacular feature of the southern Mendocino Coast with great views but for various reasons, I have never had the right light, clouds, sun angle, wind and surf to get the shot I wanted. One evening with time to kill before dinner in Gualala, I ran over to the park and snapped this image just before closing. I am not a particular fan of sunset photographs but this one has the town, the coast, Highway 1, the Gualala River and the tidal bar in the frame. Perfect. This image was awarded the "Judge's Award" at the Gualala Arts "Salon" exhibition in 2020.
Dawn Patrol, Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, Caspar, CA
I got up at 3:00 am and drove through pouring rain to arrive at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse at dawn. Fortunately, the skies cleared just as the pink of dawn peaked over the coastal mountains and I got this shot from across the large sinkhole adjacent to the building. As you can see, the sinkhole has an active connection to the sea outside and the water often looks like a boiling cauldron.
I got up at 3:00 am and drove through pouring rain to arrive at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse at dawn. Fortunately, the skies cleared just as the pink of dawn peaked over the coastal mountains and I got this shot from across the large sinkhole adjacent to the building. As you can see, the sinkhole has an active connection to the sea outside and the water often looks like a boiling cauldron.
Night Light, Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, Caspar, CA
Photographing Point Cabrillo Lighthouse from Mendocino Headlands has proved to be very challenging. I returned there again and again with no success. Some element was always missing – sky, light or sea. One evening on the way back to Point Arena just at sundown, I ran out to Kelli Point and set up my camera. Despite the strong wind which ruined every other shot, I got this serene view in the fading light.
Photographing Point Cabrillo Lighthouse from Mendocino Headlands has proved to be very challenging. I returned there again and again with no success. Some element was always missing – sky, light or sea. One evening on the way back to Point Arena just at sundown, I ran out to Kelli Point and set up my camera. Despite the strong wind which ruined every other shot, I got this serene view in the fading light.
Rollin' in the Deep, Bowling Ball Beach, Southern Mendocino Coast, CA
I rarely shoot in the evening here as the terrain is a treacherous combination of sand, rock and surf. In this case, the tripod and the photographer are in several inches of sea water with the incoming tide sloshing around my feet. Often, a sunset like this one ends abruptly with the sun being swallowed by the fog on the horizon. It also means a one mile return to your car over broken ground, tidal pools, an acre of small boulders and then up a cliffside trail to the road in the near dark. Nevertheless, with this kind of light and tide, I think you'll agree the risk was worth it.
I rarely shoot in the evening here as the terrain is a treacherous combination of sand, rock and surf. In this case, the tripod and the photographer are in several inches of sea water with the incoming tide sloshing around my feet. Often, a sunset like this one ends abruptly with the sun being swallowed by the fog on the horizon. It also means a one mile return to your car over broken ground, tidal pools, an acre of small boulders and then up a cliffside trail to the road in the near dark. Nevertheless, with this kind of light and tide, I think you'll agree the risk was worth it.
Path to Mendocino, Mendocino Headlands State Park, Mendocino, CA
I was looking for a shot of a person walking toward Main Street in Mendocino and set up my tripod on the Headlands trail to await his/her random arrival. In the 45 minutes I stood there, the sky went from overcast to what you see here. As if on cue, all the other people walking or sitting cleared out and this man in a sport coat walked by me and into my camera. Sometimes everything works.
I was looking for a shot of a person walking toward Main Street in Mendocino and set up my tripod on the Headlands trail to await his/her random arrival. In the 45 minutes I stood there, the sky went from overcast to what you see here. As if on cue, all the other people walking or sitting cleared out and this man in a sport coat walked by me and into my camera. Sometimes everything works.
Right up my Alley, Bowling Ball Beach, Southern Mendocino Coast, CA
There is no definitive explanation for these round ball-like stones on this layered strip of coast between Point Arena and Gualala. I made a dozen trips at different times of the day and different tides over a period of six months to get this image. The trick here was a pair of Bogs knee-high boots and the patience to stand twenty feet from the sand in a foot or more of water with the surf coming over the top of my boots from time to time. It turned out to be the best angle for the shot. What we do for art!
There is no definitive explanation for these round ball-like stones on this layered strip of coast between Point Arena and Gualala. I made a dozen trips at different times of the day and different tides over a period of six months to get this image. The trick here was a pair of Bogs knee-high boots and the patience to stand twenty feet from the sand in a foot or more of water with the surf coming over the top of my boots from time to time. It turned out to be the best angle for the shot. What we do for art!
Cliffhanger, Private Residence, The Sea Ranch, CA
The architecture of the Sea Ranch homes at the north end of the Sonoma Coast is carefully restricted to blend in with the surrounding terrain. Many of them have sea views but some, like this one, are perched on cliffs above the water. The wild rollers, weather-beaten cliff and the sedately modern house was an irresistible combination for an image.
The architecture of the Sea Ranch homes at the north end of the Sonoma Coast is carefully restricted to blend in with the surrounding terrain. Many of them have sea views but some, like this one, are perched on cliffs above the water. The wild rollers, weather-beaten cliff and the sedately modern house was an irresistible combination for an image.
Layericity, Pelican Bluffs, Point Arena, CA
Shortly after I began coming to the Point Arena area, the Mendocino Land Trust opened this incredible section of coast. The layering of cliffs and the twisted folding of the landscape is iconic and is a study on contrast, shading and shadow. The weather cooperated on this day with some passing cumulus clouds.
Shortly after I began coming to the Point Arena area, the Mendocino Land Trust opened this incredible section of coast. The layering of cliffs and the twisted folding of the landscape is iconic and is a study on contrast, shading and shadow. The weather cooperated on this day with some passing cumulus clouds.
Towerful, Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pescadero, CA
Pigeon Point might be the most photographed Lighthouse in the West. My problem here was weather. I stayed in the area no less than four times and was completely fogged out each time. Once, I got setup, only to have the fog roll in before my first shot. Then, on my fifth trip, I took my wife along and got this shot with clear weather and spectacular clouds. A coincidence? I think not.
Thirty Miles from Bixby, Big Creek Bridge, Big Sur, CA
The Bixby Bridge is widely regarded as the northern gateway to Big Sur and is known for its "graceful architecture and magnificent setting". Thirty miles south, however, is the Big Creek Bridge which is a double span version of the same design built five years later. Although less visited and more remote, it’s hard to argue that it is less graceful or the setting less magnificent.
