California Christmas Inspiration in Gold, Red, and Sea Green

In case you missed my collaboration with Chelsea of Tidewater and Tulle, I wanted to share my California Christmas inspiration and wish everyone a very merry Christmas! California does Christmas a little differently than any other place I’ve been. A few hours drive in any direction and you can find the sea and sun, or the snow and mountains. I’ve lived most of my life on the Central Coast – we have the perfect combination of sprawling beaches, rugged cliffs, and immense redwood forests. It’s not unusual to celebrate the holidays with sunny, sixty-degree weather and yes, I have spent a Christmas or two at the beach!

California Christmas Wedding Inspiration in Gold, Red, and Sea Green

We may not get a white Christmas in the Central Coast, but we still like to pull out all the stops! It’s not uncommon to see Santa Claus in surfer gear, or a palm tree sporting Christmas lights. The best way to get a feel for the season is to pay a visit to the beachside towns scattered up and down the Central Coast – the Main Streets of Santa Cruz, Capitola, Monterey, and Carmel by the Sea are the epitome of coastal holiday cheer!

Since we don’t get snow on the coast, the most vivid feature of the winter in California is the light. Once the days start to grow shorter, the afternoons and evenings are infused with rich, golden light that lingers for hours. The hills that roll along the Pacific Coast Highway turn tawny before the winter rains set in, and even the ocean casts back a golden glitter from the low sun. I wanted to capture that gold hue, along with some of the vibrant color that California is known for, in this board.