Good morning! I'm planning a two week driving/photography trip in California and am planning to start on April 15th from San Diego. The basic itinerary is San Diego to San Luis Obispo, then to Point Reyes (for a three day Close-up Workshop with Harold Davis). Then, on to Yuba City. After that, on to Lake Tahoe, and then back to San Diego via Route 395. Hope to go to Bodie along the way.
I would appreciate any "special spots" suggestions that you could recommend for closeup, landscape, and other special interest photography--sort of a "what would you do, for sure, if you were traveling along this route?" question. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.
When going south on Route 395 stop at the Alabama Hills
a few mins. out of Lone Pine, and if it's not too hot by then
Death Valley NP. Some of the canyons along 395 in mid
April may have some wildflowers, although generally
speaking, I suspect you'll be a little too early for them
at the higher elevations. You might try the Poppy Preserve
at Lancaster as you make your way southwest toward
San Diego. If time permits take in Joshua Tree NP for
the boulders, Joshua Trees, and wildflowers.
I hope that this helps and have a good trip.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on April 3, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Geesh, there are tons of photo ops along that way. If you are going to San Luis Obispo Figueroa Mtn. is a beautiful stop along the way as is Montana de Oro. The Carrizo Plain is gorgeous right now not to mention the central Cal hills on the way there along Hwy 58.
Heading to Point Reyes you have Big Sur with numerous photo ops - my favorite stretch of CA coastline. Then after point Reyes you could cut across to the 395 via Yosemite and possibly catch the Redbud and/or Dogwoods in bloom. The waterfalls should be kickin' in as well. Although you did mention Lake Tahoe. So Yosemite would definately be the longer way. However it is much more photogenic than going through Sac.
Then once on the 395 you have Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes, Convict Lake, etc ... Although some of the higher altitude lakes will probably still be frozen. There should be some nice wildflowers kickin' in at the lower elevation areas around Bishop and Lone Pine.
Death Valley was also mentioned, The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is a nice destination, as is the Alabama Hills.
Derek
Posted by Peter Cross on April 3, 2010 at 10:47 PM
Lots of good places have been mentioned. The only caveat that I would throw out is that in mid-April many of the beautiful roads over the Sierra will still be snowed in. So there are only a few options. In Sac area the only sure ones will be I-80 and SR 88. Going south I'm not sure what will be open until you get to SR 58 out of Bakersfield.
Peter
Posted by Derek Sedillo on April 4, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Good point Peter. I don't know why I was thinking Tioga Pass. Usually it is not open until mid May or later.
SR 88 is a beautiful road. From South Lake Tahoe take SR 89 south, over Luther Pass to 88. Hope Valley, and the area around Woodfords is very beautiful.
Speaking of Pt. Reyes: Be sure to have a meal at the Station House and grab a sweetroll and coffee at the Bovine Bakery; both are in the town of Pt. Reyes Station.. While you're in town, be sure to visit Marty Knapp's Gallery. He does gorgeous, large format silver prints.
We have had a very wet spring here in the Sierra with lots of rain, and snow in the high country. In fact, we're under a Winter Storm Warning for today and tomorrow (4/4-4/5) with very low snow expected. The East Side has also seen lots of snow this year.You'll need to check the road conditions before venturing out to Bodie.
The high desert country between 395 and the base of the Sierra from Bishop, south to Lone Pine should be very nice. Be sure to check out the area west of Bishop (West Line St going up to Bishop Creek), Big Pine (Crocker Street toward Big Pine Creek), west of Independence (Onion Valley Rd. toward Onion Valley) and the Alabama Hills (Whitney Portal Rd. in Lone Pine) These three roads may be closed due to snow at various elevations on them; go as high as you can.
Just returned from a trip on the east side (395) . Wynn make sure if you do get over to 395 and are heading into the Alabama Hills do so just before dawn and catch first light on Mt. Whitney, Mt. Williamson and Lone Pine Peak. Take Whitney Portal Rd from Lone Pine pass by Movie road cross the creek and then choose a spot of the road with a good view of Mt. Whitney and the other peaks. Just as any clouds in the sky are turning pink or orange over the peaks the first light will hit Mt. Whitney and Mt. Williamson. They are the visible 14,000 ft. peaks. Watch the scene change as more and more light floods the Sierra Front Range. It is an amazing sight, I had my first Easter Sunrise service in my life this morning just above Lone pine Creek Campground. Great alpenglow in nature's Sierra cathedral.
I just read your post. I am also taking the Creative Close-up Photography workshop at Pt. Reyes. I would suggest on your drive up the coast stop for photography at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur. You may need to ask for instructions locally to find it. Also I would recommend stopping at Pt. Lobos, which is just south of Carmel. Also in Big Sur you might stop at the Nepenthe restaurant. If you luck out there may an opportunity to photograph the fog rolling in or out from the deck there.
If you have extra time at Pt. Reyes you might check out the Abbott's Lagoon area. I have a posting for it on my blog. http://sandysteinman.wordpress.com The workshop is based in Chimney Rock area so it is likely you will get to see that wildflower hotspot during the weekend.
Bodie may still be snowed in so I wouldn't count on getting there. When going down 395 stop in the visitor's centers at Bishop and Lone PIne as they can often have very useful and timely information.
Discussion
7 repliesI would appreciate any "special spots" suggestions that you could recommend for closeup, landscape, and other special interest photography--sort of a "what would you do, for sure, if you were traveling along this route?" question. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.
Wyn Knapp
La Jolla CA
a few mins. out of Lone Pine, and if it's not too hot by then
Death Valley NP. Some of the canyons along 395 in mid
April may have some wildflowers, although generally
speaking, I suspect you'll be a little too early for them
at the higher elevations. You might try the Poppy Preserve
at Lancaster as you make your way southwest toward
San Diego. If time permits take in Joshua Tree NP for
the boulders, Joshua Trees, and wildflowers.
I hope that this helps and have a good trip.
Heading to Point Reyes you have Big Sur with numerous photo ops - my favorite stretch of CA coastline. Then after point Reyes you could cut across to the 395 via Yosemite and possibly catch the Redbud and/or Dogwoods in bloom. The waterfalls should be kickin' in as well. Although you did mention Lake Tahoe. So Yosemite would definately be the longer way. However it is much more photogenic than going through Sac.
Then once on the 395 you have Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes, Convict Lake, etc ... Although some of the higher altitude lakes will probably still be frozen. There should be some nice wildflowers kickin' in at the lower elevation areas around Bishop and Lone Pine.
Death Valley was also mentioned, The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is a nice destination, as is the Alabama Hills.
Derek
Peter
Speaking of Pt. Reyes: Be sure to have a meal at the Station House and grab a sweetroll and coffee at the Bovine Bakery; both are in the town of Pt. Reyes Station.. While you're in town, be sure to visit Marty Knapp's Gallery. He does gorgeous, large format silver prints.
We have had a very wet spring here in the Sierra with lots of rain, and snow in the high country. In fact, we're under a Winter Storm Warning for today and tomorrow (4/4-4/5) with very low snow expected. The East Side has also seen lots of snow this year.You'll need to check the road conditions before venturing out to Bodie.
The high desert country between 395 and the base of the Sierra from Bishop, south to Lone Pine should be very nice. Be sure to check out the area west of Bishop (West Line St going up to Bishop Creek), Big Pine (Crocker Street toward Big Pine Creek), west of Independence (Onion Valley Rd. toward Onion Valley) and the Alabama Hills (Whitney Portal Rd. in Lone Pine) These three roads may be closed due to snow at various elevations on them; go as high as you can.
--P
Paul
If you have extra time at Pt. Reyes you might check out the Abbott's Lagoon area. I have a posting for it on my blog. http://sandysteinman.wordpress.com The workshop is based in Chimney Rock area so it is likely you will get to see that wildflower hotspot during the weekend.
Bodie may still be snowed in so I wouldn't count on getting there. When going down 395 stop in the visitor's centers at Bishop and Lone PIne as they can often have very useful and timely information.
Sandy
Natural History Wanderings