Sunshine, Surf, & San Onofre

I’ve spent a lot of time in California.  I’ve been up and down that coast more times than I can count, and visited many of its beaches – both well-known and off the beaten path.  Yet somehow, I never went to San Onofre until last month.  It was our latest surf shoot that took me there, and I’m so very glad it did. It was a warm, sunny day – the perfect day to spend outside.  I drove down to San Onofre from LA, where I was staying, to meet the rest of our team at the shoot location.  But first, I got a little lost… I went to the wrong beach – San Onofre State Beach.  I pulled up to the parking lot, which was lined with cars with surfers hopping out, surveying the waves as they pulled wetsuits on under their towels.  I soon realized I was in the wrong location, but I had to do some exploring before I left.  The beach was a tropical paradise, lined with palm trees, and little bamboo shelters that hid showers for surfers to rinse off under.  Some had little memorials and statues hidden within them, that made me feel like I wasn’t even in California – it reminded me more of Hawaii.

san onfre state beach

san onfre state beach

P

san onfre state beach

P

san onfre state beach

san onofre state beach

san onofre state beach

san onofre state beach

san onofre state beach

palm tree

san onofre state beach

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

After walking around for a little while I made my way back to the car to meet up with the rest of the team, who were just a little ways down the road at San Onofre Beach Camp Site.  At this part of the beach, we had to park our cars up atop the cliffs, and make our way down the steep incline to the desolate beach.  Sitting on that beach, it was hard to believe we were actually near a highway and any civilization – it felt so remote and untouched.  It made for the perfect setting for our surf shoot.  Model Raychel Roberts came equipped with her own amazing VW that I was eyeing up the entire shoot, and I got to watch our west coast crew (plus our senior photographer, who also made the trip out!) in action as they shot photos and video for the surf re-launch – in case you missed it yesterday, be sure to check out the gorgeous video shot by Michael Graham. Here’s a little peek behind the scenes!

san onfre state beach

san onfre state beach

free people surf

san onofre state beach

san onofre state beach

san onfre state beach

free people surf

free people surf

free people surf

Shop FP Movement Surf.

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9 years ago

Ahhh, this is SO cool. Wishing to visit there, so beautiful!

http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com

becki o
9 years ago

im pretty disappointed with these surf features so far. i LOVE your clothing, blog and the lifestyle it promotes, but no girl is ever shown SURFING the waves in the surf movement features.

as a surfer myself, i love all the new options of fashionable surfing wear! its wonderful! but i also want to see the girls surfing, not just looking pretty. i understand this is first and foremost a fashion-inspired blog but if we women don’t want to be objectified and seen more as an equal, a person, not just a pretty object, then we have to make the effort to be taken seriously. most guys accept me in the lineup after i show i can actually ride the wave instead of be a bouy in the water, but occasionally theres still the break where im looked at as like im an alien–not supposed to be out there doing a ‘man’s sport.’

in surf culture, theres a movement just beginning featuring women surfers as surfers instead of girls in bikinis. c’mon free people! help perpetuate this movement to show girls not just as models, but athletes with style, grace and that happy carefree wild freepeople attitude.

9 years ago

Gorgeous photos!!!

Meghan
9 years ago

It would be great to see FP sponsor an actual surfer or at least partner with one! So many talented and inspiring female surfers out there….

Hannah
9 years ago

I’ve been lucky enough to grow up with San O in my backyard.I have spent countless summer days enjoying the sun and surf down here with my closest friends. One of the most respected surf breaks on the entire coast, maybe the entire world. This section of OC that I’m lucky enough to call home is so beautiful and I am so happy that you put it on the blog! Next time, be sure to explore Laguna Beach as well. Its about 30 minutes north and by far one of my favorite places. Stop at Banzai Bowls for a quick (and healthy) bite to eat and check out Victoria Beach or Thousand Steps :)

Patrice
9 years ago

Couldn’t agree more with Becki o! I love everything you guys do and understand you are trying to sell a product, but taking the image from surf culture and making it seem that women surfing is all about image is pretty shallow to me. You can do better freepeople! Maybe do a real surf capsule with sage erickson where the products are shown on a real surfing surfer!

Jane
9 years ago

Love these pictures! I was wondering what camera you used? (sorry if you’ve already answered this question many times)

9 years ago

I completely agree with beck o and Patrice! Show girls SURFING.

Ryano
6 years ago

Awesome! Brings back sooooo many memories of camping and surfing at San Onofre back in the 70’s & 80’s. Many, many climbs up and down those cliffs. Had numerous epic surfs there.