Pigeon Point Lighthouse

      On a lonely stretch of California's Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz sits the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Hostel. The rustic structure nestles into the windswept shore. Ice plant drapes down the cliffs, forming natural curtains to the coastal bluffs. As a resident, I can say that California didn't get it's reputation for nothing; it truly is a beautiful state.

"Nothing is but what is not"-Macbeth

West Coast Sunset

      Pigeon Point, still a working lighthouse, was built in 1872. In the 1960s, the Keeper's Quarters were converted into a hostel, which is currently managed by the non-profit group Hostelling International. Although amenities are few and the location is remote, the hostel provides guests with an unrivaled experience. Nearly every window has dramatic ocean-views. A deck wraps around the lighthouse grounds, extending out beyond the point and providing guests and visitors alike an unrivaled view. Beds can be obtained for as little as $26US, and the lighthouse grounds are managed by the State Park system, so you can visit for just a day.

Old Coast

     It was nice to have some time out of town. Even though I was only around 1-1/2 Hours away from my home in the suburban Greater SF Bay Area, it felt worlds away. My time was spent exploring the tide pools at the foot of the bluff, walking along the pristine beach, and sitting outside on the deck with my camera and ukulele. After sunset, I walked to the end of the point to try some long exposure shots of the lighthouse. The beams sent out from the structure seemed half-ghostly, illuminating white-capped waves for fractions of seconds. The ocean at night has to be one of the most terrifying and beautiful things humans can experience. I say experience, because it's more than something you watch. You hear it's roaring rhythms, you feel it's rumbling tones beneath your feet, and you see the tops of the waters glisten with starlight. The sea will never cease to amaze me.

     Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Hostel is a relic of old California. The uninhabited coast line, rusty light tower, and "surfer" feel of the hostel all contribute to a sense of nostalgia. The only visible man-made light aside from the lighthouse and the occasional stray ship, pours over the mountains from Silicon Valley. I'm glad places like this are still here. During my stay, I learned of another lighthouse/hostel only 20 miles up the coast, that I hope to stay in sometime soon. Even though it may be a relic of an old California, it's definitely not a dead California. Pigeon Point's beacon may be beaming for a while yet, calling to travelers from all four corners of the globe, inviting them to come in and watch the West Coast Sunset.

That Starlit Beacon

Neutral Density Filter

"My Ocean and Me"

     I love long exposure photographs. Something about how light can form trails and shapes, ocean waves can become placid ponds, and skies can gain a sense of hyper-realistic color and geometry makes me want to go out and shoot every night into the early hours of the morning. As a student, however,(especially one with a provisional motorcycle license, meaning I can't drive after dark) shooting at night is a rare treat. I still wanted to be able to get long exposures, preferably upwards of 5", but be able to do it without eating into my ever shrinking supply of sleep. After a quick buzz around Google, I came up with what seemed like a perfect solution: A Neutral Density Filter. I picked one up on Amazon, and took it out for a spin in Santa Cruz this week. I was more than impressed. Not only did the filter allow for me to preform longer exposures, but it also created a very dreamy feeling gray, with a heightened contrast, when at about half strength. I loved using this filter, and thought some of the results may be worth sharing. I hope you enjoy.

Gateway to the Sea

 

Calafia's State

Land's End

Seastones

"When the hurlyburly's done, When the battle's lost and won." -Macbeth