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California Coastal Commission

ca-coastal-commission

2026 California Ocean & Coastal Amateur Photography Contest
A silhouette of a male tule elk with vegetation tangled in its antlers at sunset, with dark cliffside and a calm ocean horizon behind.

First Place Winner
Bull in the Rough
Tule elk at Point Reyes
Kevin Johnson


A close-up of a bull kelp bulb with its blades moving with the water current.

Second Place Winner
Dancing in the Surf
Bull kelp, Monastery Beach
Keith Kirkpatrick


Seven yellow kayaks with people paddling through the top of a kelp forest and along a rocky cliffside.

Third Place Winner
Kayaking on Channel Islands
Hans Ho


A close-up of gooseneck barnacles clustered on rocks at low-tide.

Honorable Mention
Barnacle Canyon
Gooseneck barnacles, Pillar Point
Amy Deatherage


A school of blue rockfish swimming in a kelp forest. Sun rays filter through the surface of the water.

Honorable Mention
Blue Rockfish Soaking up the Rays
Point Lobos State Nature Preserve
Bruce Sudweeks


A black and white close-up of a sea ottter pup sleeping while floating on the water.

Honorable Mention
Nap Time for Baby Sea Otter
Morro Bay
Elizabeth Van Dyke


A black and white close-up of a humpback whale lunge feeding on a school of small fish while seabirds fly around above.

Honorable Mention
Feeding Frenzy
Morro Bay
Gordon Fox


Sunset under a pier. Mussels and barnacles cover the base of the pillars as the tide comes in.

Honorable Mention
Cathedral of Light Beneath the Pier
Oceanside
Merrilyn Parry


A stormy night along the coast as two lightning bolts strike in the distance.

Honorable Mention
Santa Barbara Light Show
Pablo Van Dyck


Colorful houses line the beach. Palm trees stand behind them. Their reflection can be seen in the still water nearby.

Honorable Mention
Beach Fiesta
Capitola
Sachi Desai