6am on San Francisco’s Baker Beach. This wasn’t my first choice of composition, behind me stood the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but when sunrise opened up, this scene stole the show.

The homes along Sea Cliff Avenue felt like their own oasis, perched quietly above the beach, merging seamlessly with the rugged cliffside. The clouds danced above in soft pinks, oranges and purples, casting a dreamlike palette across the scene.

Just as the sun broke through, and I thought I’d used up all my luck, a pod of dolphins appeared offshore, the perfect start to what would become a beautiful day in a truly diverse city.

Photo by: Bradley Basten