Posted by Magnus Lindbom on February 25, 2008 at 3:57 AM
Hi everyone!
We are two photographers from Sweden who are going to spend 3 weeks in april in California to photograph.
Our plan is currently to (after arriving at San Francisco airport) head south towards Point Lobos and Big Sur. After spending a few days at these locations were heading inland to Yosemite and Mono Lake. Then we drive back to the coast and head north towards Redwood NP with a stop at Bowling Ball Beach and The Lost Coast. After that were driving sout again to catch our flight home.
I would love your feedback on this plan as well as suggestions on locations we haven't thought of. Is there any roads that wont be open in April in the Yosemite/Mono Lake area?
We will bring a tent and try to spend most nights at campings to keep the cost down a bit. How much does it cost to camp one night and how much are the budget motels?
If there's any nature photographer having an exhibition in any of these areas we would like to know that too.
Magnus, to answer one of your questions about travel in the Yosemite/Mono Lake area in April, many roads and passes may not be open that early in the season with the heavy snows we have received this year. This would be no complaint from us however, we really need the snow pack more then ever.
I'm sure others who live closer to the area will post here too with updates. Have a good trip!
Posted by Reno DiTullio on February 25, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Magnus,
I live in the Monterey area, you probably won't find much in the way of "budget" motels in the Big Sur / Monterey area but there are many campgrounds, both state and private. As I'm sure you are aware, there's lots of shooting opportunities along the Big Sur coast and the Monterey Bay area. Send me an email when you finalize your travel dates, maybe we can get together in Monterey.
The high passes, Tioga and Sonora, will most certainly be closed due to snow. From SF, the best way to access the Mono Lake area (on the Sierra East Side) is to cross the Sierra in the Lake Tahoe area and then head south on US 395.
If you go to Yosemite, you can take CA 49 north to Placerville and then take US 50 east to 395 and head south to Mono Lake. CA 49 goes through the Mother Lode gold country. There are some very nice towns along the way: Sonora, Columbia, Angels Camp, Sutter Creek and Placerville.are worth visiting.
-PB
Posted by Kyle Jones on February 25, 2008 at 3:10 PM
I don't know your schedule for visiting Bowling Ball beach, but it is best in late afternoon when the tide is low. A good sunrise spot in the area is Stornetta beach, which is just South of the Point Arena lighthouse (it is reached via a gate on the road to the lighthouse).
Posted by Lon Overacker on February 25, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Magnus,
You've picked a great time to visit California. The waterfalls in Yosemite will be raging and it's likely you will get to see blooming dogwood and spring wildflowers (everywhere from the coast to the foothills and in the Merced River Canyon.
3 weeks is plenty of time to do the things you're planning. Just be prepared for lots of driving! As mentioned, the direct routes over the Sierra to the eastern side (Mono Lake) will be closed with the exception of the passes to Lake Tahoe (80 and 50). Alternatively, the southern route across the Tehachapi pass will get to 395 - actually from there you can hit Death Valley and the Alabama Hills. Shouldn't be terribly hot yet in April in the desert.
But no matter which way thru the Sierra, plan on a nearly all day drive to and from the area.
To enter Yosemite, in my opinion Highway 140 is the best route - plus you get to drive thru the Merced Canyon - that alone is worth it. Highway's 120 and 41 (from Oakhurst) are scenic, but take longer to get to the valley. There are sites to take in along these routes (mostly the redwood/sequoia groves). It's unlikely that the road to Glacier point will be open.
If you do make it to the Eastern side of the Sierra, I'm pretty sure you can camp just about anywhere in the National Forest (Inyo NF for ex.) Check the nps.gov website for restrictions.
Also, lodging is generally fairly cheap in Lee Vining, June Lake, Mammoth, Bishop, etc. But it does add up if you're staying for a long stretch.
I think the northern route thru Lake Tahoe would fit your plan better simply because coming back you could essentially head straight to the coast and make your home stretch coming down Highway 1 - say from Fort Brag. Give youself a good 4 days if you want to stop for photography.
Well, I could go on... but not enough time in the day... feel free to email any of us and we would be happy to discuss further.
I'm located in Livermore, which is less than an hour east of SF, so I'm pretty central to all these locations.
Lon
Posted by Reno DiTullio on February 25, 2008 at 7:43 PM
State Highway 88 out of Jackson is also open in the winter, great road and much closer to Hwy 395 south than Hwy 80 or 50 through Lake Tahoe.
Posted by Magnus Lindbom on February 26, 2008 at 6:19 AM
This is great! Thank you everyone...
We might change our plan a bit, I must say that the eastern sierra area seems really interesting.
For now I just have one question until we've discussed the plan. Can you recommend any good camera gear store in San Fransisco? I'm looking for one with decent prices and good service (I will try to get the things delivered to the car rental).
I'm really looking forward to this trip...
Posted by Lon Overacker on February 27, 2008 at 12:26 AM
Magnus,
I can't recommend a good camera store locally that I've dealt with - simply because for the last 10 or more years it's been eBay, KEH, Adorama, B&H, etc. You'll rarely find better prices in a brick & mortor store than you can get online somewhere - obviously depending on what you're looking for. I would consider ordering/shipping to your first place of lodging rather than a car rental place. It's likely that they may not accept that.
I personally may even be willing to receive some equipment by mail if you were willing to do something like that. I may be going out on a limb here, but I don't get the impression that you've come to this forum hoping to secure a 40 million dollar estate from your late father in Zambia..... :-)
Keep us posted on your plans.
Lon
Posted by Reno DiTullio on February 27, 2008 at 1:17 AM
Keeble & Schuchart (don't know if it's spelled correctly) in Palo Alto, lots of gear, standard photo store prices.
Posted by Magnus Lindbom on February 28, 2008 at 5:03 AM
We have now decided to go for 10 days at the coast and 10 days in the eastern sierras area.
In the ES we're looking into visiting Trona Pinnacles, Alabama Hills, Death Valley and Mono Lake. Have I missed any great location that we might want to consider?
Do we need a 4x4 vehicle? Tips on good campgrounds in these areas are also welcome...
A day and night in the Bishop Creek area will be well worth the time. In the same area, though lower down, is the Buttermilk Country. The road that leads up there is West Line Street (CA 168 West) in Bishop (Right acorss the street from the Mountain Light gallery.
Just south of Bishop, in Big Pine, head west on Crocker Street up to the mountains toward Glacier Lodge. There are trails that lead up to Brainard Lake or up toward the main Palisade group. It's beautiful country!
If the road is open, head up to the Bristlecone Pine forest. These are the oldest trees in the world, and the place is very sureal. The road (168 East) heads up that way at the north end of the town of Big Pine.
There is a USFS district office in Bishop on Main Street (395). They would be able to give you info on campgrounds that are open, as well as road conditions.
As far as 4x4 goes; it depends. In April, you can likely get by with a standard drive, but you should carry tire chains. The weather can be unstable, because the pattern is changing from a winter to summer pattern. I've seen it hotter'n heck, and I've also experienced fresh snow; so, it can be toss-up.
I'm envious: it sounds like a great trip you have planned!
Ok, I'm back with another question regarding outdoor stoves:
What fuel is the most used in this area? I would prefer gas canisters (primus/MSR) if we could buy them somewhere? Another option would be white gas...
Thankful for feedback...
Posted by Warren Xato on March 27, 2008 at 2:24 AM
You can buy the gas cannister (the MSR screw on type) at most any sporting goods or outdoor store. I even this that the Kmart in Bishop will carry them.
And since you're going to Bowling Ball Beach, here' s my small gallery of this place.
Discussion
14 repliesWe are two photographers from Sweden who are going to spend 3 weeks in april in California to photograph.
Our plan is currently to (after arriving at San Francisco airport) head south towards Point Lobos and Big Sur. After spending a few days at these locations were heading inland to Yosemite and Mono Lake. Then we drive back to the coast and head north towards Redwood NP with a stop at Bowling Ball Beach and The Lost Coast. After that were driving sout again to catch our flight home.
I would love your feedback on this plan as well as suggestions on locations we haven't thought of. Is there any roads that wont be open in April in the Yosemite/Mono Lake area?
We will bring a tent and try to spend most nights at campings to keep the cost down a bit. How much does it cost to camp one night and how much are the budget motels?
If there's any nature photographer having an exhibition in any of these areas we would like to know that too.
A lot of questions and I think more is to come...
I'm sure others who live closer to the area will post here too with updates. Have a good trip!
I live in the Monterey area, you probably won't find much in the way of "budget" motels in the Big Sur / Monterey area but there are many campgrounds, both state and private. As I'm sure you are aware, there's lots of shooting opportunities along the Big Sur coast and the Monterey Bay area. Send me an email when you finalize your travel dates, maybe we can get together in Monterey.
The high passes, Tioga and Sonora, will most certainly be closed due to snow. From SF, the best way to access the Mono Lake area (on the Sierra East Side) is to cross the Sierra in the Lake Tahoe area and then head south on US 395.
If you go to Yosemite, you can take CA 49 north to Placerville and then take US 50 east to 395 and head south to Mono Lake. CA 49 goes through the Mother Lode gold country. There are some very nice towns along the way: Sonora, Columbia, Angels Camp, Sutter Creek and Placerville.are worth visiting.
-PB
You've picked a great time to visit California. The waterfalls in Yosemite will be raging and it's likely you will get to see blooming dogwood and spring wildflowers (everywhere from the coast to the foothills and in the Merced River Canyon.
3 weeks is plenty of time to do the things you're planning. Just be prepared for lots of driving! As mentioned, the direct routes over the Sierra to the eastern side (Mono Lake) will be closed with the exception of the passes to Lake Tahoe (80 and 50). Alternatively, the southern route across the Tehachapi pass will get to 395 - actually from there you can hit Death Valley and the Alabama Hills. Shouldn't be terribly hot yet in April in the desert.
But no matter which way thru the Sierra, plan on a nearly all day drive to and from the area.
To enter Yosemite, in my opinion Highway 140 is the best route - plus you get to drive thru the Merced Canyon - that alone is worth it. Highway's 120 and 41 (from Oakhurst) are scenic, but take longer to get to the valley. There are sites to take in along these routes (mostly the redwood/sequoia groves). It's unlikely that the road to Glacier point will be open.
If you do make it to the Eastern side of the Sierra, I'm pretty sure you can camp just about anywhere in the National Forest (Inyo NF for ex.) Check the nps.gov website for restrictions.
Also, lodging is generally fairly cheap in Lee Vining, June Lake, Mammoth, Bishop, etc. But it does add up if you're staying for a long stretch.
I think the northern route thru Lake Tahoe would fit your plan better simply because coming back you could essentially head straight to the coast and make your home stretch coming down Highway 1 - say from Fort Brag. Give youself a good 4 days if you want to stop for photography.
Well, I could go on... but not enough time in the day... feel free to email any of us and we would be happy to discuss further.
I'm located in Livermore, which is less than an hour east of SF, so I'm pretty central to all these locations.
Lon
We might change our plan a bit, I must say that the eastern sierra area seems really interesting.
For now I just have one question until we've discussed the plan. Can you recommend any good camera gear store in San Fransisco? I'm looking for one with decent prices and good service (I will try to get the things delivered to the car rental).
I'm really looking forward to this trip...
I can't recommend a good camera store locally that I've dealt with - simply because for the last 10 or more years it's been eBay, KEH, Adorama, B&H, etc. You'll rarely find better prices in a brick & mortor store than you can get online somewhere - obviously depending on what you're looking for. I would consider ordering/shipping to your first place of lodging rather than a car rental place. It's likely that they may not accept that.
I personally may even be willing to receive some equipment by mail if you were willing to do something like that. I may be going out on a limb here, but I don't get the impression that you've come to this forum hoping to secure a 40 million dollar estate from your late father in Zambia..... :-)
Keep us posted on your plans.
Lon
In the ES we're looking into visiting Trona Pinnacles, Alabama Hills, Death Valley and Mono Lake. Have I missed any great location that we might want to consider?
Do we need a 4x4 vehicle? Tips on good campgrounds in these areas are also welcome...
Thanks!
A day and night in the Bishop Creek area will be well worth the time. In the same area, though lower down, is the Buttermilk Country. The road that leads up there is West Line Street (CA 168 West) in Bishop (Right acorss the street from the Mountain Light gallery.
Just south of Bishop, in Big Pine, head west on Crocker Street up to the mountains toward Glacier Lodge. There are trails that lead up to Brainard Lake or up toward the main Palisade group. It's beautiful country!
If the road is open, head up to the Bristlecone Pine forest. These are the oldest trees in the world, and the place is very sureal. The road (168 East) heads up that way at the north end of the town of Big Pine.
There is a USFS district office in Bishop on Main Street (395). They would be able to give you info on campgrounds that are open, as well as road conditions.
As far as 4x4 goes; it depends. In April, you can likely get by with a standard drive, but you should carry tire chains. The weather can be unstable, because the pattern is changing from a winter to summer pattern. I've seen it hotter'n heck, and I've also experienced fresh snow; so, it can be toss-up.
I'm envious: it sounds like a great trip you have planned!
-PB
What fuel is the most used in this area? I would prefer gas canisters (primus/MSR) if we could buy them somewhere? Another option would be white gas...
Thankful for feedback...
And since you're going to Bowling Ball Beach, here' s my small gallery of this place.
http://www.120scan.us/i/Bowling/index.html
Have fun,
Warren