Marine Layering

Goleta Beach, Santa Barbara CA

If I were to pick one favorite beach day of the many I have spent here in Santa Barbara, this shot would represent that day. I grew up here, spending many happy hours at Hendry’s Beach, East Beach, Butterfly, Miramar, Summerland, Santa Claus and Carpinteria Beaches. Strangely, even though I am a UCSB graduate, I had never spent any time at Goleta Beach.

Awhile back I was out near the airport, picking up a freshly powder coated vintage patio set for the store. It was late afternoon and I wanted to take a beach walk back in Montecito, however with the sun setting, I chose the more immediate option; Goleta Beach.  I arrived to find an infinite blue sky and a spectacular minus tide before me. The picture speaks for itself; it was a classic SB beach day awash in the incomparable warmth and langor of late afternoon.  While there, make sure to check out the Goleta Slough Rookery - high up in the Eucalyptus trees are many exquisite birds building their nests and tending their babies; Great Blue Heron, Double Crested Cormorants and Great Egrets among them.