Manhattan Beach: Santa Monica Sunset, Sky, Waves Christmas Day

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — As stunning and beautiful as the Manhattan Beach shoreline and pier are, Manhattan Beach is just one of several coastal Los Angeles County cities with amazing views.

Hollywood resident Ray Schiel, who teaches the English language to international students and business people, captured these two photos from a spot near the Santa Monica Pier this past Christmas.

Schiel, who told Manhattan Beach Patch that he's "probably more of a photo hobbyist than anything else along with being an experimental songwriter," also went to Franklin Canyon earlier that day. "I just decided to spend Christmas in nature," he said. "Photography offers us the opportunity to be in the moment while capturing it."

The music video is one he put together using "many of my original sunset pics with my original music." The photos are from a variety of Southern California beaches.

If you have an awesome photo of nature, breathtaking scenery, kids caught being kids, a pet doing something funny or something unusual you happen to catch with your camera, we'd love to feature it on Patch.

We're looking for high-resolution images that reflect the beauty and fun that is California, and that show off your unique talents.

Send your photos to Liz.Spear@Patch.com.