Community Corner

25 Incredible Reader Images From 2025: California In Photos

From fiery ocean sunsets to bobcats to egrets to vineyards to the Golden Gate Bridge, here are some incredible images you shared with us.

Michael Wittner's profile picture
Michael Wittner, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
A Santa Cruz beach during a golden sunset.
A Santa Cruz beach during a golden sunset. (Carol Lettko)

The news is sometimes dispiriting, which is why we so enjoy when Patch readers send us photos that remind us how stunningly beautiful our state is. From snow-capped mountains to sun-drenched beaches to everything in between, it's hardly a secret that the Golden State glows.

This year, talented photographers across the state sent us hundreds of photos, capturing everything from the sunlight hitting a cresting wave at the perfect angle, to a blanket of fog so thick it almost looks like snow. It was a tall order getting paring all these gorgeous photos down to just 24, but we tried our best. Without further ado, enjoy 25 incredible photos of California in 2025.

New Year's Sunrise Over The Beach

Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Sunrise in Alameda. (Tita Mahoney)

Sunlight Pours Through Storm Clouds

Vargas Plateau in Fremont (Dash Talreja)

Dramatic Clouds At The Beach

Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Sunset at Alameda Beach (Steve Gorman)

Elk At Point Reyes Sunset

Tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore. (Alison Mankin)

Rain Clouds Over Verdant Napa

St. Helena after the rain. (Claus Weisemann)

Carmel Ocean Through The Trees

A beautiful beach in Carmel. (Jackie Stoner)

Morro Rock Soars More Than 500 Feet Into The Sky

Shorebirds with specialized beaks search for a snack near Morro Rock. (Jackie Stoner)

Mountains Emerge From The Mist

Mist envelops California mountains (Michele Rodriguez)

Cherry Blossoms Bloom In Alameda

Cherries bloom in Alameda. (Jeff Cambra)

Twilight Casts A Golden Hue Over Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz at twilight (Carol Lettko)

Birds Flock To San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Gulls, egrets, stilts, and geese at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Henry Shen)

Green Carpet Of Grass Covers Mission Peak

Mission Peak is bright green after the rain. (Swamy Bale.)

Dramatic Sunrise Over Richardson Bay

Richardson Bay early in the morning. (Daria Painter)

Tulips Bloom Near Historic Dutch Windmill In Golden Gate Park

Tulips bloom adjacent to the Historic Dutch Windmill in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco (Ed L.)

Baby Ducky Takes To The Water

A duckling tries its luck at Crown Memorial State Park in Alameda (Steve Gorman)

Hitching A Ride From Mama Duck

It's a field trip for 11 baby ducklings and their mother at Bay Farm Island (John MacKenzie)

Purple Carpet In Alameda

An overspill of purple flowers along the Bayview Trail. (Tita Mahoney)

Flowers and City Skyline

Lush flowers illuminate the path to the bay. (David Rim)

Shaver Lake Sunset

The sun sets over Shaver Lake (Susan Sanchez)

Mass Marbled Godwit Migration

Marbled godwits at Roemer Bird Sanctuary in Alameda (John MacKenzie)

Sunset Views From The Milpitas Hills

An orange sky illuminates Big Dog Vineyards from the Milpitas hills (Matt Cestaric)

Bobcats In The Backyard

Bobcats in a Fremont backyard (Swamy Bale)

Mom Bird Teaches Young How To Fish

A mother Forster's Tern teaching her offspring to fish at Quarry Lakes in Fremont. (Dan Sarka)

Pink & Blue Sunrise Over Heron Bay

Pre-dawn sky at Heron Bay in San Leandro, Calif. (Pat Moore)

Fog Rolls Over The Golden Gate Bridge

Fog rolling past the Golden Gate Bridge. (Ingrid Hirashima)

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Across California