Running into the sun

Here's the thing about L.A. in the fall months: Sure, we don't have the changing of the leaves, and the cold weather. Instead, we get to enjoy the feeling of summer a little bit longer.

Sometimes that entails a particularly hot weekend in October. It certainly includes sunny days at the beach, even into November and December.

Just look at this little girl -- excited and running all the way to the end of the Hermosa Beach Pier. She knows it is always sunny in L.A.

"Into the sun" from the album At the Beach, submitted by Jennifer.

-- Lori Kozlowski

Sometimes when times get tough, the idea of sailing away seems ideal.

In this photograph, we are brought aboard a ship. Is it the Titanic? Well, no. But if you find yourself with a sinking feeling (about the economy or anything else), just look at this photograph and smile. The view is lovely.

Looking out a porthole from a cabin inside the Queen Mary, this is one passenger's view of the Long Beach skyline.

"Long Beach at dusk" from the album Long Beach, submitted by gabi.

--Lori Kozlowski

Another gorgeous, classic California shot to get your weekend started.

Here photographer Jay writes in his caption: "Two surfers coming in from an afternoon of surfing at Rockpile Beach in Laguna."

Just looking at this shot makes me long to be in the water. If you, too, look at this picture, and think: I'd rather be swimming. Then maybe our coverage of swimmer-extraordinaire Michael Phelps and the rest of the Olympics action happening at the Water Cube in Beijing will whet (pun completely intended) your appetite. Check out The Times' Olympics coverage here.

"Let's go in" from the album Surf & Sea, submitted by Jay.

--Lori Kozlowski

Honestly, captions are important. They go a long way in telling a great story about a fabulous photo. They give us a little more insight into what we are looking at. Take this picture, for instance.

This is not just any baby, sleeping at the beach. Meet Rocknroll.

The photographer writes in her caption: We named our son Rocknroll and his daddy wants him to be a surfer... so we started gettng him out to the beaches of San Clemente early... this is trail six in March 2008.

No doubt, this little guy will be riding the waves in no time. How could he not? He has his parents' support, he's been exposed to California's gorgeous coast at an early age, and his name is Rocknroll.

"First Day at the Beach" from the album At the Beach, submitted by lexiecat.

--Lori Kozlowski

All at sea

Sometimes when times get tough, the idea of sailing away seems ideal.

In this photograph, we are brought aboard a ship. Is it the Titanic? Well, no. But if you find yourself with a sinking feeling (about the economy or anything else), just look at this photograph and smile. The view is lovely.

Looking out a porthole from a cabin inside the Queen Mary, this is one passenger's view of the Long Beach skyline.

"Long Beach at dusk" from the album Long Beach, submitted by gabi.

--Lori Kozlowski

Another gorgeous, classic California shot to get your weekend started.

Here photographer Jay writes in his caption: "Two surfers coming in from an afternoon of surfing at Rockpile Beach in Laguna."

Just looking at this shot makes me long to be in the water. If you, too, look at this picture, and think: I'd rather be swimming. Then maybe our coverage of swimmer-extraordinaire Michael Phelps and the rest of the Olympics action happening at the Water Cube in Beijing will whet (pun completely intended) your appetite. Check out The Times' Olympics coverage here.

"Let's go in" from the album Surf & Sea, submitted by Jay.

--Lori Kozlowski

Honestly, captions are important. They go a long way in telling a great story about a fabulous photo. They give us a little more insight into what we are looking at. Take this picture, for instance.

This is not just any baby, sleeping at the beach. Meet Rocknroll.

The photographer writes in her caption: We named our son Rocknroll and his daddy wants him to be a surfer... so we started gettng him out to the beaches of San Clemente early... this is trail six in March 2008.

No doubt, this little guy will be riding the waves in no time. How could he not? He has his parents' support, he's been exposed to California's gorgeous coast at an early age, and his name is Rocknroll.

"First Day at the Beach" from the album At the Beach, submitted by lexiecat.

--Lori Kozlowski

Two if by sea

Another gorgeous, classic California shot to get your weekend started.

Here photographer Jay writes in his caption: "Two surfers coming in from an afternoon of surfing at Rockpile Beach in Laguna."

Just looking at this shot makes me long to be in the water. If you, too, look at this picture, and think: I'd rather be swimming. Then maybe our coverage of swimmer-extraordinaire Michael Phelps and the rest of the Olympics action happening at the Water Cube in Beijing will whet (pun completely intended) your appetite. Check out The Times' Olympics coverage here.

"Let's go in" from the album Surf & Sea, submitted by Jay.

--Lori Kozlowski

Honestly, captions are important. They go a long way in telling a great story about a fabulous photo. They give us a little more insight into what we are looking at. Take this picture, for instance.

This is not just any baby, sleeping at the beach. Meet Rocknroll.

The photographer writes in her caption: We named our son Rocknroll and his daddy wants him to be a surfer... so we started gettng him out to the beaches of San Clemente early... this is trail six in March 2008.

No doubt, this little guy will be riding the waves in no time. How could he not? He has his parents' support, he's been exposed to California's gorgeous coast at an early age, and his name is Rocknroll.

"First Day at the Beach" from the album At the Beach, submitted by lexiecat.

--Lori Kozlowski

Rocknroll at the beach

Honestly, captions are important. They go a long way in telling a great story about a fabulous photo. They give us a little more insight into what we are looking at. Take this picture, for instance.

This is not just any baby, sleeping at the beach. Meet Rocknroll.

The photographer writes in her caption: We named our son Rocknroll and his daddy wants him to be a surfer... so we started gettng him out to the beaches of San Clemente early... this is trail six in March 2008.

No doubt, this little guy will be riding the waves in no time. How could he not? He has his parents' support, he's been exposed to California's gorgeous coast at an early age, and his name is Rocknroll.

"First Day at the Beach" from the album At the Beach, submitted by lexiecat.

--Lori Kozlowski