March 3, 2015 2:47 PM EST
A s the rest of the country suffered through a particularly gruesome winter, residents of Southern California have been quick to remind us that they have been enjoying months of clear skies and sunshine. But a rare hailstorm Monday left miles of California’s coastline covered with nearly an inch of hail , offering residents a rare opportunity to play in the “snow.”
Here, we gathered a collection of photos from Instagram and Twitter that captured this unexpected — and totally surreal — winter wonderland.
Nathaniel Brimlow posted this photo of a lone snowman at Huntington Beach Pier. Nathaniel Brimlow (@nathaniel_______ ) via Instagram Fouad Rider shared this snowball photo and said, "Not even mad I missed all my classes today." Fouad Rider (@fouadrider ) via Twitter Nikki Swain posted rare snow photos in Huntington Beach and said, "Happy Tuesday." Nikki 🎀 Swain (@nikkiswiz ) via Instagram Amber Norris declared Huntington Beach a "wonderland." Amber Norris (@amberxsunshine ) via Instagram Ed Templeton captured this snapshot at the Huntingon Beach pier, writing, "the alluvial fan of melting hailstones fascinates passers by at the #huntingtonbeach pier." Ed Templeton (@ed.templeton ) via Instagram Emily Weisenberge declared that it "snowed dippin' dots." Emily Weisenberger 🌔 (@emilyjayew ) via Instagram Giselle Romero shared this photo and asked if anyone wanted to build a snowman. Giselle Romero (@lovegiselle ) via Instagram Instagram user gr3enlotus declared the snow "something you never see." ᑕᕼᑌᑕKᒪE ᗷEᖇᖇY (@gr3enlotus ) via Instagram Jeff Perez captured this surfer, adding, "Out here appreciating somethin HB hasn't seen in many years, snow." jeff_perez (@jeff_perez ) via Instagram More Must-Reads From TIME The 100 Most Influential People of 2024 Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities 6 Compliments That Land Every Time If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time