Santa Barbara, Calif. Beach Sunset Photos are easy to take when the sun is out. The state palms the city is regarded for create silhouette shapes against the west-setting sun you can see from Stearn's Wharf looking toward the mountains, beyond the Pacific Ocean and beaches.

The warm glow of a setting sun creates a mood as it spreads its hues over thee Pacific Ocean, the beach and palm lined Cabrillo Street in Santa Barbara. One of the best places to not only take photographs, but to buy photographic equipment, Santa Barbara is home to the renown photo college, Brooks Institute of Photography.

It should be no surprise that so many quality students who graduate from this school get their local inspiration from Santa Barbara beaches, sunsets, mountains, and unique climate (sometimes fog-shrouded) that casts these eerie glows on the setting scenes. One day it can be yellow, the next pale orange.

Photographed from Stearns Wharf, a wood planked pier with restaurants, shops and a museum located on the Pacific Ocean where State Street meets Cabrillo.

When taking pictures of the sunset in Santa Barbara, one of the best locations is the beach. As you move in further along State Street, the city buildings can obstruct your sunset views.

Another example of the shade ranges that the sky takes on in the Santa Ynez mountains near Santa Barbara can be seen in another trip through California Central Coast on Highway 101, as the photographer took a photo while driving in a car.