View Finder: Manuel's Restuarant in Aptos

Manuel's Mexican Restaurant sits on the bluff above Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. Although it's tucked away toward the outskirts of town, it is surprisingly busy. During the dinner hour, all 15 or so tables, as well as the bar seats, fill up with a joyous din.

Opened in 1965 by Manuel Santana, Manuel's has slightly expanded  from its original nine tables. The small upper level of tables was actually once the room of a small apartment, back in the days when Santana cooked, served and washed dishes. Now, owned by Manuel's son, the restaurant remains a favorite joint for locals, many of whom remember it back in the old days.

Candles and a cozy atmosphere offer a welcoming relief from the cold Aptos fog, and the food is affordable with a different special running every night until 12 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Sundays.

These snapshots were taken on a week night during the hour before closing. They're mostly experiments with capturing movement in dimly-lit spaces, with a fixation on the colorful textures and decor inside.

Manuel's is right off the State Park Drive Exit off Hwy 1, at 261 Center Avenue, Aptos. 688-4848.