A Winter Day at the Beach

 I took my granddaughter and her two besties to the beach in late January (and just realizing I never posted any photos!). I remember thinking it should be really nice. The temperature was quite warm for January. I like winter beach days... no crowds, easy to find parking, and beach traffic is light. But as we headed down Beach Blvd. and got within about 1/4 mile of Pacific Coast Highway, my hopes for a "have-the-beach-all-to-ourselves" kind of day was shattered. Traffic was backed up for some reason, and when I finally got to PCH, traffic was at a standstill. I did a quick u-turn and pulled into the Huntington State Beach lot, and as I paid my $20 to park, I asked the lady what was going on. She chuckled and said something about a "trifecta": Huntington Beach Marathon, a vintage car show, and a surf competion. So much for our quiet winter day at the beach!

A gorgeous day at the beach (Huntington Beach pier in the background).

 

 The vintage VW buses were fun to see. Most appeared to be renovated down to the tiniest detail. Beach Boys music was blasting out of one of the vans. It transported me back to my childhood, growing up in S CA in the 60's!

 

The girls walking down to the pier.

 

 

 

 

Catalina Island on the horizon.

 

 

 

 

 

As if the sunset wasn't enough of a show, the full moon was rising and putting on its own show in the opposite direction. It took me about 15 tries before capturing this seagull flying by under the moon!

 

Watching the sun drop behind Catalina Island. It turned out to be an amazing winter day at the beach, crowds and all, and one that I think the girls will remember for a long time!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.