A striking photo of a lone surfer facing towering waves off the Big Sur coast has won a top category in this year’s California State Parks Foundation photo contest.
“The ocean carved its own doorway through stone, courage finds a way to slip through,” said photographer Brian Filoteo of Ventura, whose winning image was taken at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. “Each wave crashes like applause for the soul that dares to chase light through chaos and to my lens. At sunset in Big Sur’s Keyhole Rock, vast nature and spirit collide—wild, fearless and free.”
Ventura resident Brian Filoteo won the Recreation & Activities category in the 2025 California State Parks Foundation Photo Contest for his image taken at Keyhole Rock in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Filoteo’s image was one of over 3,650 that were submitted to the annual contest, which invites park visitors and photography enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels to capture the natural beauty, recreational activities, and unique landscapes of California’s state parks.
The contest included five categories: Scenic Landscapes, Wildlife & Nature, Recreation & Activities, People in Parks and California History.
Category winners receive a California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass courtesy of California State Parks Foundation and will be featured in California State Parks Foundation’s 2027 calendar. Honorable mentions are showcased in on online gallery and social media, and all winners receive a 2027 calendar.
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“We received thousands of wonderful photos that included beaches, mountains, urban parks, rivers, people enjoying nature, and more,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation in a media release. “It’s clear how much Californians love and appreciate their state parks, and how enthusiastic they are to share images of their favorite places.”
The California state park system includes 280 state park units, over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites, 5,200 miles of trails, 3,195 historic buildings, and more than 11,000 known prehistoric and historic archaeological sites.
Photographers and nature lovers have another opportunity to find statewide fame, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (California State Parks) is currently holding a photo contest inspired by the state’s 175th anniversary.
Through Nov. 17, Californians can celebrate the state’s natural beauty and history and vote for their favorite images.
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Big Sur photo a winner in California State Parks Foundation Contest