We went for a walk on the beach yesterday late afternoon, getting back to the car just before sundown. There were no good waves but the tide was out and the beach nearly deserted, so it was good to be there. The pullout just south of Palomar Airport Road almost always has a few people checking from the bluff. You can read the water all the way from Teramar in the north down to the campgrounds to the south. Sarah and I try to hit Starbucks early each Saturday morning, get the latte and hot chocolate (140 degrees) then park at the bluff and look at the water, its a good spot to kill time.

Surf check.  Three guys check the surf from atop a bluff overlooking the waves at the end of the day, at sunset, north of South Carlsbad State Beach

Surf check. Three guys check the surf from atop a bluff overlooking the waves at the end of the day, at sunset, north of South Carlsbad State Beach.
Image ID: 19808
Location: Carlsbad, California, USA

Ocean water washes over a flat sand beach, sandstone bluffs rise in the background, sunset, Carlsbad, California

Ocean water washes over a flat sand beach, sandstone bluffs rise in the background, sunset.
Image ID: 19806
Location: Carlsbad, California, USA

Cobblestones on a flat sand beach.  Cobble stones are polished round and smooth by years of wave energy.  They are alternately exposed and covered by sand depending on the tides, waves and seasons of the year.  Cobblestones are common on the beaches of southern California, contained in the sandstone bluffs along the beach and released onto the beach as the bluffs erode, Carlsbad

Cobblestones on a flat sand beach. Cobble stones are polished round and smooth by years of wave energy. They are alternately exposed and covered by sand depending on the tides, waves and seasons of the year. Cobblestones are common on the beaches of southern California, contained in the sandstone bluffs along the beach and released onto the beach as the bluffs erode.
Image ID: 19807
Location: Carlsbad, California, USA

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!