The Santa Monica Mountains run east to west from southeast Ventura County east into Los Angeles County rising above the City of Angeles, then widen to meet the curve of the Santa Monica Bay, reaching their highest peaks facing the open ocean. The land is beautiful and diverse. The rugged coastline has many sandy beaches and rocky shores. In 1978 Congress established the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area as part of the National Park System.

Winter is the best time of the year to capture sunset images along the coastline of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. By shooting near the time of the Winter Solstice, which is an astronomical event that happens once each year, the Sun's apparent position in the sky reaches its southernmost extreme allowing our south facing beaches to see the setting Sun. Winter also means fewer people typically are at the beach and in our compositions. Each tour will last 3.5 hours and start approximately 2.5 hours before sunset.

All three dates that I have selected in 2012 coincide with a near high tide at sunset and we will be positioning some on and off-shore sea stacks to comprise our foreground and compliment the setting Sun in the background. When the tidal waters retreat it creates magical swirling pools of water around the rocks and by using the right camera settings we will be able to show that motion.  We will also be looking to create some ethereal effects of the ocean waters as the tide moves in and out among the rocks. Additionally, this area hosts a Cormorant Colony and is often visited by other sea birds and marine mammals that we can photograph. Please note that a parking fee is collected by the California State Parks at this location.

Join me at high tide as we capture the swirling motion of retreating tides among the sea stacks at sunset along the coastline of the Santa Monica Mountains.