3008, 2011

Villa Beach, Peru

Tropical Beaches
433

Peru has more than 1,200 miles of coastline and 254 officially recognized beaches. Though some the beaches south of Lima are polluted, the situation has improved in recent years and many of the beaches are still excellent and relaxing places to take in a beautiful sunset, like the one featured in this video. This beach, Villa, has some of the strongest waves on the Peru coast. Boney James is a saxophonist who, despite his resistance to being labeled as strictly a jazz artist, was named the “No. 3 Top Contemporary Jazz Artist of the Decade” by Billboard Magazine in 2010. Influenced by many genres including R&B, James is a three-time Grammy-nominee who has sold more than

1708, 2011

Old Point Loma Lighthouse

Lighthouses
462

Point Loma Lighthouse, first lit in 1855, was built at the top of a 422-foot hill overlooking San Diego Bay. The height of the light was supposed to make it a clearly visible signal, but it was actually too high. The light would often be shrouded in heavy fog cover and low clouds. Without a fog signal, the lighthouse keeper sometimes resorted to firing a shotgun to warn mariners of the rocky coast. Regardless, the lighthouse ran for 36 years, doing its job well when weather permitted. The lighthouse was replaced in 1891 by a new Point Loma Lighthouse a few hundred yards down the hill from the original. The Old Point Loma Light still stands

0708, 2011

Coquille River Lighthouse

Lighthouses
446

The Coquille River Light was first lit in 1896 to aid the transportation of goods and people to and from the mouth of the Coquille River. Simple, small, and inexpensive, the lighthouse was for many years the smallest on the Oregon coast. The tower, measuring 47 feet from its base, was equipped with a fourth order fresnel lens visible for up to 12 miles. In 1939, the original light was replaced with an automated beacon. Today, Coquille River Lighthouse is a part of Oregon’s Bullards Beach State Park. The state has maintained, repaired, and restored the lighthouse over the years and, true to Oregon’s status as one of the most environmentally-friendly states, the Coquille River tower

0308, 2011

Sapphire Beach, St. Thomas

Tropical Beaches
487

Sapphire Beach on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands is one of the island’s lesser-known beaches and as a result is often free of the larger crowds sometimes found at more popular sites. Lines of palm trees provide a perfect frame for the ocean view and, just off the shore, rock formations add character to the sapphire-blue water. The relatively low number of visitors makes this beach a great spot for quiet relaxation, but snorkeling and recreational boating are also popular activities. Chris Standring is a jazz guitarist who has distinguished himself in the contemporary jazz realm with adventurous, lyrical compositions leavened with pure-pop perfection, dazzling guitar solos and thick beats. Though predominately influenced by

2707, 2011

Santa María del Mar, Peru

Tropical Beaches
425

The Santa María del Mar district of Peru is well known for its beautiful beaches. Just south of the country’s capital of Lima, this relaxation destination seems to have it all– pristine sand, a rolling surf from the Pacific Ocean, and a perfect boating harbor all framed by bold rocky slopes. Farther back from the beach are restaurants, a club, and numerous rental houses and apartments for seasonal visitors. Though there are not many nearby hotels, some apartments and houses can be rented for a daily or weekly term. Alexander Zonjic has performed on stages around the world as a solo performer, with his own group, and as part of jazz great Bob James’ band. An

2307, 2011

Santa Monica Pier

American Cities
512

The Santa Monica Pier, just west of Los Angeles, has a long and fascinating history. Built in 1909 to carry sewer pipes out to sea, the pier became a recreation destination and was quickly expanded and developed by entrepreneurs. In the last century, the pier and its harbor have been home to several amusement parks, restaurants, a ballroom, a cruise ship, an illegal mob casino yacht, and the “Muscle Beach” of Jack LaLanne and Joe Gold. Today, four million tourists each year travel to the Santa Monica Pier, which now includes the Pacific Park amusement park, an aquarium, restaurants, and many street performers and artists. Away from the electricity and excitement of the pier, the nearby

2007, 2011

Oppenheimer Beach

Tropical Beaches
493

This relaxing beach on St. John in the United States Virgin Islands gets its name from J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist and researcher best known as the “father of the atomic bomb.” In the 1950s, Oppenheimer and his wife purchased a house above this beach, which was then known as Hawksnest. In 1967, Oppenheimer died and his ashes were placed in the water off of the beach. Years later, the beach was willed to the people of St. John by Oppenheimer’s daughter, Toni. The government has since managed and developed the site and decided to name it after the Oppenheimer family. Acoustic Alchemy is a smooth jazz group from London. Originally a duo of acoustic guitarists,

1807, 2011

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse (Night)

Lighthouses
226

The Point Cabrillo Light Station, located in Mendocino County, California, is a California State Historic Park. The lighthouse indeed has a long and interesting history. First lit in 1909, it was a guide for a record number of ships carrying lumber to rebuild San Francisco after its 1906 earthquake. It later adopted new technology when it became a monitoring station for the now-defunct LORAN electronic navigation system. Since its construction, the lighthouse has been maintained by a variety of owners and keepers, and is now owned by California State Parks and managed by the Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers Association. The grounds includes several outbuildings including vacation rental homes. The intricate lantern shown at the end of this

0707, 2011

Mendocino Cliffs, California

Scenic Earth
457

Despite its population of less than one thousand people, Mendocino, California has made a name for itself as a destination for relaxation and culture. The community’s Pacific Ocean coast features the Mendocino headlands– steep cliffs and rocky landforms protruding from the sea. Beautiful views like these have supported local bed-and-breakfasts for decades and have inspired the many artists that make their home in Mendocino. Mendocino County is also known for its fine wine and impressive forests, leading it to trademark the title, “America’s Greenest Wine Region.” Alexander Zonjic has performed on stages around the world as a solo performer, with his own group, and as part of jazz great Bob James’ band. An accomplished jazz flutist,

0507, 2011

Heceta Head Lighthouse

Lighthouses
440

Visible for up to 21 miles, the Heceta Head Light is the brightest light on the Oregon coast– not bad for a lighthouse that has been using the same fresnel lens for 117 years. The Heceta Head Lighthouse and its keepers quarters were built in 1892 and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Overlooking the rocky coast of the Pacific Ocean, the lighthouse is said to be the most photographed in the United States and is an Oregon State Scenic Viewpoint. If ocean relaxation and the historic atmosphere don’t suit you, there’s always the opportunity for ghost hunting– the lighthouse is rumored to be haunted! Brian Culbertson is a contemporary jazz instrumentalist, songwriter,