Manhattan Beach
The Manhattan Beach Pier extends straight out over the Pacific, giving you a strong leading line that draws the eye toward the horizon and the open ocean beyond. The iconic roundhouse aquarium at the pier's end adds a distinctive silhouette, especially effective when shot from the sand below during golden hour. Sunset is the prime time here, with warm light washing across the pier's wooden planks and reflecting off wet sand as waves recede. Shoot from low on the beach looking up the length of the pier for a classic wide-angle composition, or position yourself on the pier itself to capture surfers and swimmers below with a longer lens. The beach stretches wide in both directions, giving you room to find clean foreground with wave patterns or footprints in the sand. Parking is available nearby but fills quickly on weekends, so arriving early pays off. (Manhattan Beach, California, United States)
