Texture and Color

New addition to the California Coast Gallery

I’ve shot quite a few incredible sunsets from west coast beaches, but these clouds were very unusual …

Texture and Color. Santa Barbara County. California. October 2023.

I later read that “super rare” and only recently documented asperitas clouds were spotted off the California coast around the same time this image was taken (source: https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/asperitas-unusual-clouds-california-18497023.php) , but I haven’t yet confirmed whether or not these are those clouds. They certainly show some characteristics of them, with a wave-like appearance, but I’m not confident enough to say they are deserving of that title.

Either way, this was a spectacular sunset to witness and shoot from Jalama Beach and it is always nice to have a view like this within walking distance of where you are camping.

This was our first trip out to Jalama Beach and it marked the start of our central coast camping trip. The weather cooperated and the beach was well worth the visit. The campground itself was relaxing even though the sites were grouped together more closely than what we are generally used to at a developed campground. Fortunately, we got along well with our neighbors and shared some drinks around a fire with them.

Next stop on our trip was Morro Bay …