California beaches: San Diego

Val and Rick Piencka of San Diego strike the pose for their scrapbook next to J. Seward Johnson’s sculpture “Unconditional Surrender.” The larger-than-life sculpture sits next to the aircraft carrier Midway at the San Diego Embarcadero, is 25 feet high and weighs 6,000 pounds. It’s a three-dimensional interpretation of a photo taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt of a sailor kissing a nurse in New York’s Times Square on Aug. 14, 1945, following the announcement of V-J day.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A statue of explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to set foot on the West Coast of what is now the United States. The landmark overlooks San Diego Harbor and is part of Cabrillo National Monument.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Surfers make their way down the steep cliff and across slippery rocks to the water at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The setting sun lights up the steep cliffs as a surfer heads out at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A surfer is reflected in a tide pool as he carefully walks across slippery rocks at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Kite surfer Michael Yudovin of San Diego battles the gusty winds crossing Mission Bay to take flight at “Stinky’s,” a spot along the beaches of Fiesta Island in Mission Bay. The area is called Stinky’s because it used to be a waste dump site.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A paddle surfer takes in a sunset on a warm summer day while waiting for the waves at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The San Diego Embarcadero is a popular scenic section of the waterfront next to downtown.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)