The Magic of Pismo Beach at Sunrise!

Last week's trip to Pismo Beach brought back so many memories, taking me back to the first time I visited this beautiful spot in 2012 during a road trip. I’ve always loved the charm of California’s coast, and this time, I was excited to bring my big brother, Cyril along to experience it too. We stayed at the beautiful Inn at the Pier, Pismo Beach and secured a room with an unbeatable view of the pier and ocean. I was surprised to learn the pier had been completely rebuilt in 2018; while the new structure is stunning, I still remember the romantic charm of the old pier from my first visit.

Since this was the only morning staying in Pismo, I woke up early to catch the sunrise and head out with my DJI Mini 4 Pro. There’s something magical about those early hours when the world is quiet, and the coastal fog had settled in low along the shore, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere. The fog draped itself over the coast, softening the landscape and adding depth to the views.

After taking some shots of the pier, I could see cliffs located about two kilometers up the coast, where they formed a dramatic backdrop against the morning light. They reminded me of my first video shoot in Étretat, France, with its iconic cliffs. The cliffs here framed the shore in a way that seemed almost cinematic, and I couldn’t resist taking a few aerial videos to capture the scene, including a gorgeous walkway bride and a gazebo perched at the cliff's edge, guarded by beautiful palm trees.

I wish I’d had time for a closer shoot of the Inn at the Pier, but by the time I returned, it was nearing 11 a.m., and the deck had a few guests enjoying the morning sun, so I kept my distance to respect their privacy. Still, I was able to capture the Pismo Beach sign, and the hotel in the background, adding to the collection of this memorable morning.

Once back home, I loaded the footage into the LightCut App and was thrilled that it choose the perfect music selection, picking a dynamic soundtrack with crescendos, creating a sense of anticipation that matched the dramatic cliffs and sweeping coastlines beautifully. The result is a video that brings together the epic natural beauty of Pismo Beach and the excitement of capturing it from above.

I hope this video brings a bit of the coastal magic to you, complete with the misty morning fog, iconic pier, and stunning cliffs that make Pismo Beach so unforgettable. Enjoy the scenery and the soundtrack, and let it transport you to this special place on California’s coast.