Quick Trips?

Any ideas on short but exciting trips for landscape photography starting near Torrey Pines in southern California? I'm going to need to be at that location during the school/work day, but I want to get out for a couple/few mornings evenings. It's a long weekend visit at the end of this month and into the next.

Would it be possible to visit Anza Borrego SP for sunrise and get back before nine o'clock or nine thirty? I've heard that wildflowers should be fantastic this spring. Could those be found closer? Are there some coastal spots that are a must see?

Shamefully, I'll be swapping out some of my photo opportunities to catch some college baseball games up in Fullerton and LA, but I'm still looking for a couple good ideas. Any tips would be very appreciated. Have a great week.

Anza Borrego is a bit far for a quicky. Google maps shows it to be ~ 2 hours one way. Then add in some morning traffic and it will be longer. SD has a lot of AM/PM traffic. Of course you could spend the night, possibly catch sunset, do sunrise and make a mad dash back. Just keep in mind you may be a bit late for class that day.

There are some nice rocks/reef areas in Encinitas. Check out Jimmy Gekas work. He lives down there.

If headed up toward LA consider taking a drive over to the Antelope Valley. It should be blooming nicely. Just keep an eye on the the wildlflower reports. In LA my favorite place to shoot is Palos Verdes. Point Vicente Lighthouse is great at night and at sunrise:

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Favorites/My-Current-Favorites/3981401_DHLoH#231429364_dhACW

Take a look at Steven Sierren's photos from Abalone Cove. Then in Malibu you have Matador Beach with some nice rock structures.

It all depends on how much time you have in between your games and class and what you would like to see .

Derek

Lots of great coastal scenery around Torrey Pines.

Torrey Pines State Reserve is far and away the best all-around coastal nature photography location in San Diego County. Scenic pines, bluffs, cliffs, badlands, cactus, yucca, wildflowers (from late Feb into mid-April), ocean, surf, beach, and even coastal wetland in the adjoining marsh. What's more, its public land so access is not a problem. Only possible issue is that its a day-use area so you should compare opening/closing times with sunrise/sunset times. Its small enough to park outside and walk in if necessary, but big enough (a few thousand acres) to spend probably all your free time in working with all the aforementioned subject matter. Considering how conveniently located it will be for you, I would look no further.

Thanks Scott. I was wondering if the nearby locations I was seeing on Google maps would have some photographic relevance. Now I know one that does, and it's so close by.

Kent, I just noticed you're from Alaska. You'll note that Torrey Pines is <ahem> a little tamer, more controlled and hemmed-in than you're probably used to :-) The park itself is mostly-undeveloped open-space, but its small enough that, wherever the horizon is in your frame, the city/suburbs of San Diego County will be visible unless looking out to sea. Looking to the south especially, dense development in La Jolla including large multistory buildings are plain as day. Intimate and mid-range scenics are no problem, and landscapes without structures are possible as long as you generally are facing out to sea.

So long as you come with expectations set, you'll enjoy it, I think; its an entirely different coastal landscape than you get up north, and despite its small size and hemmed-in nature, its still the best undeveloped, accessible, coastal nature photography location in San Diego County. Have a great time!