We live in Santa Cruz by the Monterery Bay Marine Sanctuary. Much of our inspiration at Marty Magic is derived from the ocean and the magic of nature. Here are a few of the most inspiring beaches and coastlines where we have left our footprints.
For the past ten years, our family has spent time each year on the East Cape of Baja. The breathtaking beaches and solitude are inspiring.
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| Cresting wave on the East Cape of Baja |
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| Rocky shore on the East Cape of Baja
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In 2007, Art, John and I lived in Naha, Okinawa for several months. We took frequent trips to surrounding Ryukyu islands.
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| Tokashiki Island, Okinawa, Japan |
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| Hermit crab on Tokashiki Island rocks, Okinawa, Japan |
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| Kumejima Island, Okinawa, Japan |
In 2010, John and I had a mother and son adventure in Australia. I rented a car and we drove the Great Ocean Road. Rainbows and spending time together was wonderful and the coastlines were spectacular.
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| Morning rainbow above the coast of the Great Ocean Road. Victoria, Australia |
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| Coastline along the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia. |
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| The Twelve Apostles at dawn, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia. |
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| The Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia. |
In 2013, John and I traveled to India and returned through the U.A.E. Women were wading in the ocean wearing their hijab. The day was hazy and the silhouette of the Burj Al Arab was in the distance.
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| John on the beach at Dubai with Burj Al Arab in the background |
In 2015, Art, John and I traveled with Art’s brother to the Philippines. We spent much of our time in the high mountains of Banaue, treking rice paddies. (deserving of it’s own photo blog post.) We ended our trip in El Nido, Palawan, an island paradise.
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| The limestone cliffs of El Nido, Palawan, Philippines |
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| Entering a cove in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. |
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| Exiting the cove by man power at low tide. El Nido, Palawan, Philippines |
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| Alonha sunset, Palawan, Philippines. |
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| Dumaguete, Philippines |
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| App Island. Below the surface is a pristine coral reef. |
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| Art and John readying for their first dive at Apo Island, Philippines. |
In 2016, Art, John and I flew to Italy and traveled north through Italy and then south along the coastline of Croatia.
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| Amalfi Coast, Italy |
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| Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy |
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| Istria Croatia |
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| John diving into a swimming hole off the Dubrovnik city wall. Croatia. |
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| A five island hopping trip from Split, Croatia. John dove and returned with an Adriatic crab carapace. |
In 2017, Alisha and I traveled to Indonesia. After visiting our artist friend Tabra, we continued onto Flores Island and onto Komodo and Rinca Islands, home to the Komodo Dragons.
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| Alisha swinging at the edge of the blue stone beach, Indonesia. |
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| Blue stone beach, Flores Island, Indonesia |
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| Coral Island of Riuing, Indonesia |
In 2018, Art and I traveled to Portugal and Spain. The beaches and coastline of southern Portugal were breathtaking.
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| The colorful cliffs of Salema, Portugal |
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| Sagre point, a windswept promontory. Algarve, Portugal |
In August of 2018 Alisha and I traveled to Australia. We looked for the illusive cassowary bird and walked warily on many beaches, lest a saltwater crocodile pay us a surprise visit.
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| Bondi Beach, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia |
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| Wurrumiyanga beach, Tiwi Island, Northern Territory, Australia |
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| Mindil Beach at sunset, Darwin, Australia |
Below are some very striking coastlines and cityscapes within the United States.
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| A view of New York City taken from Hoboken, N.Y. at sunset |
We don’t need to travel afar to be inspired by the ocean. Santa Cruz, Capitola and Big Sur have some of the most beautiful beaches and coastlines on our planet.
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| Bixby bridge and the Big Sur coastline, California. |
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| Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, California. |
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| Alisha and Molly, Capitola beach jetty, California |
As time allows, I will be adding to this beach and coastline photo gallery.
