There's plenty to see on the sunny coast of California. Some of it's beautiful, some of it's weird, and some is both. Lucky for us, some of California's best photographers share pictures of the many wonders to behold.
Swipe ahead to see 15 of coolest pictures from the 2022 California Ocean & Coastal Amateur Photography Contest.
Photography: NPS.gov
It's pretty clear that this surfer's mom likely gave them a stern talking to after this stunt. Still, you have to admire the guts it takes to ride a wave that big.
Photography: Kevin Kielty
There are tons of cute couples out there, but this pair might be the cutest. Look at how they're locking eyes with one another. Hopefully, they can gaze at each other like that for the rest of their lives.
Photography: Nicolas Horniblow
The lengths some photographers will go to get a shot are impressive. It's hard to tell from this image how big the cave is, but you probably can't stand up in it. This photographer had to wait for the perfect time of day to capture all of the beautiful colors.
Photography: Jay Huang
Black and white was the way to go for this photo, for sure. The extra nostalgic vibe reminds us of the days when David Hasselhoff would run in slow motion.
Photography: Hayleigh Smith
Never has it been more clear that two birds are up to no good than in this photo. I don't know what they're plotting, but it can't be good.
Photography: Karen Cohen
This photo looks like it's straight out of a Hitchcock film. One where all the world's sea birds stage a coup because they're tired of humans throwing plastic in the ocean.
Photography: Brendan Holmes
Of all the beautifully weird things you can find in the ocean, the Spanish Shawl Nudibranch is one-of-a-kind. It's believed that the bright colors ward off predators, but it also just makes it pretty to look at.
Photography: Nicolas Horniblow
What you're looking at here is not just one living thing, but two. The red leafy thing you see is a type of red seaweed, and everything around it is a biomass that likes to snuggle up to it. Unfortunately, these epiphytes are not good at respecting boundaries, though, and growths like this one often kill the seaweed.
Photography: Rosa Laucci
It seems appropriate that the fish in this picture looks like he's screaming in protest. You can't blame the poor guy.
Photography: James Little
I don't think sea turtles are predators, but this one looks like it's stalking prey. The Navy Turtles doesn't have the same ring to it, but this one looks like a Navy Seal coming out of the water.
Photography: Jill Matyuch
The timing of this photo couldn't be more perfect. Kudos to the photographer for snapping a shot just before this dolphin breaks the surface.
Photography: Jill Matyuch
There are few things in this world more beautiful than the relationship between parent and child. It's nice to see that beauty extend to the animal kingdom.
Photography: Kathy McGaffigan
The way this pelican is looking down his beak is pretty unsettling. Especially because it's a particularly long beak.
Photography: Paul Priebe
You know a landscape photo is good when it makes you want to visit. Not only would it be lovely to see this view at sunset, but the view from the lighthouse is probably breathtaking.
Photography: Paul Priebe
This trippy photo will have you wondering which way is up. The real question, though, is how did he get the jellyfish to pose like that?
Photography: Bruce Sudweeks