Story Behind the Photo: Ice Plants

This photo was taken near the Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero, California along the Pacific Coast Highway. The rich colors of the succulent ice plants complimented the rocky shore and seemed deserving of their own photo. This sea of flowers reached from the PCH almost to the Pacific Ocean itself. Ice plants are commonly found along the California Coast growing easily on the sandy and rocky shores. Though the plants are found throughout the state, they are not native to the area. Ice plants were first introduced in the 1600′s after stowing away on an African ship, and were planted in the early 1900′s to help with soil erosion near railroad tracks.