Winners of the Point Reyes Sandcastle Contest
Point Reyes National Seashore in California is the closest location in the Bay Area to the vast Pacific Ocean. The beautiful backdrops only makes these fine sand castles even more amazing.
Continue on to see winners from the 2023 Point Reyes National Seashore photo contest, hosted by the National Park Service.
Photography: National Park Service
Kraken's Hold
1st place, Family category
The kraken is a legendary sea monster believed to appear in the waters between Norway and Iceland. Norwegian bishop Pontoppidan was the first to describe the kraken in 1753 as a giant octopus with a reputation for pulling down ships.
Sculpted by Chris Brunamonte
Tomorrow's Turtles
1st place, Adult category
The leatherback is the largest of the seven sea turtle breeds. The can grow to weigh between 600 and 1,400 pounds.
Sculpted by Jamie Yosha and Isaac Taylor
Mother Nature
1st place, Children’s category
The earliest written use of “Mother Nature” was in Mycenaean Greek in the 12th or 13th century BC.
Sculpted by Chloe
Jaws
2nd place, Family category
The 1975 film Jaws was the first major motion picture to be shot on the ocean. Because of all the production problems, director Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams created the infamous theme song to imply the man-eating shark’s pretense in many scenes.
Sculpted by the Gebhardt Family
Don't Cross My Bridge
2nd place, Adult category
This elaborate sculpture of a bridge and it’s surroundings are pretty self explanatory.
Sculpted by Kate and Brandon
Sunken Living Room
2nd place, Children’s category
Look closely and you’ll see the top of a living room recliner sitting in the water.
Sculpted by Lilien
3-2-1-Blast Off!
3rd place, Family category
This is a detailed depiction of a rocket blasting off into space.
Sculpted by the Christiansen family
The Flying Dutchman
3rd place, Adult category
The legend of the Flying Dutchman originated during the Dutch golden age during the late-1500s. It’s believed that this ghost ship can never dock and is doomed to sail the seven seas forever.
Sculpted by the Sand Sailors
Ode to Lahaina
People’s Choice Winner
This sculpture of a Hawaiian woman is a tribute to Lahaina — the original capital of the Hawaiian kingdom.
Sculpted by Garriott, Domerocki and Friends