Behind The Scene: "Reaching For the Yellow Sun"

This is the Ghost Tree. It has a pretty fascinating story. Legend tells of this particular tree that graces the coastline of swanky Pebble Beach. Supposedly the image of a “Lady in Lace” has often been spotted on dark foggy nights near the famed Ghost Tree, upsetting the motorists who are said to have seen her walking down the center of the 17 Mile Drive.

One theory, among believers, suggests that the ghostly figure is Dona Maria, who once owned much of what is now Pebble Beach. Perhaps the Lady in Lace is just surveying her vast property. However, as more sightings are made, others continue to speculate about the lady’s identity. Some people who have seen the Lady in Lace think she is wearing a wedding dress. Her sadness leads people to speculate that she is a jilted bride moping for all eternity.

More recently, a legendary surfer drowned near the Ghost Tree while attempting to paddle into the massive waves. The infamous wave and the entire surfing area has now become known as Ghost Tree. When locals catch a good wave there, they often remark, “The Ghost Tree is with us today.”

I was fortunate enough to capture this long exposure photo of Ghost Tree right at sunset. The timing was, honestly, more luck than planning. I was just making my way down the 17 miles, stopping when I was interested, and luckily ended up right here as the sun was setting. 

17 Mile Drive on the Pacific Coast in California is pretty incredible. It's a quite famous scenic road that winds its way through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula in California. Most of it hugs the Pacific coastline, taking one past famous golf courses, mansions, and scenic attractions including the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock and the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees.