Chasing Light: A Photographer's Guide to Santa Cruz
Chasing Light on the Central Coast: A Photographer's Guide to Santa Cruz
There's a reason so many photographers fall hard for Santa Cruz. It's a small city with an outsized range of scenery. Crashing waves, sea caves, redwood groves, a boardwalk straight out of a postcard, and fog that rolls in just when you need a little atmosphere. Whether you're shooting with a full-frame camera or just your phone, here's where to point your lens.
Twin Lakes State Beach
Twin Lakes is home to plenty of beautiful photo opportunities. From the Walton Lighthouse to the harbor tucked away in the corner of the beach, there’s something to capture around every corner. I’ve taken many of my favorite photos here and highly recommend visiting around sunset or golden hour for some incredible lighting. That said, even during the daytime, you’ll find plenty of great spots to photograph. Twin Lakes is definitely a location worth exploring with your camera!
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
For something with color and character, go to the Boardwalk! It's one of the last old school beachfront amusement parks left on the West Coast, and the mix of vintage signage, carnival lights, and the iconic Giant Dipper gives you a totally different palette than the rugged coastline just a mile away. I recommend shooting it at dusk when the ride lights start to glow against a darkening sky.
West Cliff Drive
Just next to the Boardwalk, you’ll find one of the most beautiful roads in Santa Cruz. West Cliff Drive. Stretching for about 2.5 miles along the coast, West Cliff offers breathtaking views of the Monterey Bay and Pacific Ocean, along with the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, located inside the iconic Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, often simply called the Santa Cruz Lighthouse. The road can also be seen in the movie The Lost Boys, which was filmed primarily in Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas.
With the coastline, lighthouse, and ocean all around you, there are countless opportunities to capture stunning photographs. Whether you’re photographing the waves, the lighthouse, or the scenery along the road, West Cliff Drive is a must-visit location for any photographer and tourist in general.
At the end of West Cliff Drive, yo'u’ll find another breathtaking view at:
Natural Bridges State Beach
Natural Bridges is home to the arched rock formation that gives the park its name. It's one of the most photographed spots in the county, and for good reason! the arch frames the sunset almost too perfectly. This is also a great place to slow your shutter speed down and capture the motion of waves sweeping through the rock formation.
Come back in late fall or winter and you might catch the park's other claim to fame. A Monarch Butterfly grove where thousands upon thousands of butterflies cluster in the eucalyptus trees. Another perfect time to snap a photo.
Overall, I think Santa Cruz has some incredible photo opportunities, and I can’t wait to discover even more! There’s always another beautiful view, hidden spot, or unique subject waiting to be captured. Until then, have fun shooting!