Winter sunrise, Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California

A beacon from dusk till dawn. Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California

Step to the western edge of America, where the Walton Lighthouse, also known as the Santa Cruz Breakwater Lighthouse, is a beacon for passing ships. Built in 2002, this 40-foot-tall building replaced a more modest light. The Walton Lighthouse got its name from Charles Walton, a businessman who helped fund its construction in memory of his brother Derek, a merchant seaman who died at sea during World War II.

Santa Cruz has been a busy port city since the mid-1800s, when ships would unload lime, redwood, and other agricultural products. These days, Santa Cruz Harbor is home to a commercial fishing fleet, as well as a popular place to rent kayaks, boats, and paddleboards.