Posted by Tony Siciliano on February 8, 2011 at 10:46 AM
I will be in Palm Springs on a non photo related trip, and plan a slow drive home to San Francisco the last week in May. I'm not familiar with that part of the state so am hoping to get some advice on where to shoot then. Anything seasonally popping then? Thanks.
Typically that late in May things are already starting to heat up out there. I've been trekking out to Joshua Tree NP every week since things cooled off, but I have a cut-off point as the weather starts to turn too hot.
If you don't care to drive too much while in the area, "The Living Desert" is a very good venue to take in a bit down the road in Palm Desert.
Same general area is also Palm-Indian Canyon. Some good photo ops there, but as I recall it's kind of pricey unless you make a day of it.
Of course the Palm Springs Tramway is also a good ride if you've not taken that in before. Takes off right at Palm Sprigs and goes up to the top of Mt. San Jacinto 10,834 feet high. Basically the desert floor to the highest point in that mountain range.
Joshua Tree NP is a bit of a drive from Palm Springs, but some of the better photo ops IMO. If you really want to drive you can go to Anza Borrego SP too. Again, weather permitting on both parks. If up for prime time shooting then both are always good even that late in May. But maybe not so good for hanging around during mid-day heat by then.
Posted by Bill Brennan on February 8, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Tony, if you are planning a slow drive back to SFO, consider Hiway 1.
Bill Brennan
Posted by John Cubit on February 8, 2011 at 11:25 PM
Tony,
Paul covered it pretty well, including the heat--probably triple digit highs by then. I just checked your website--if it's an indication of what you like, you probably do not want to photograph the desolate, abandoned, would-be towns around the Salton Sea--the tacky Bodies of 50 years ago (Google Salton Sea photos for examples). If you haven't seen the area already, you could take old Route 66 north of Palm Springs through Amboy (famous for photos of Roy's Diner) to get to the Mojave Reserve (south of Baker between the 15 and 40 freeways) for dunes and broad desert landscapes. I have not been to the high elevation areas there yet, but the eastern part of the Reserve includes alpine habitat. A colleague who works for the Dept of the Interior says this Reserve is his favorite. Depending on the upcoming weather, the heavy rains of the past months may make special opportunities.
Good luck,
John
Posted by Steve Sieren on February 16, 2011 at 12:41 AM
Discussion
4 repliesIf you don't care to drive too much while in the area, "The Living Desert" is a very good venue to take in a bit down the road in Palm Desert.
Same general area is also Palm-Indian Canyon. Some good photo ops there, but as I recall it's kind of pricey unless you make a day of it.
Of course the Palm Springs Tramway is also a good ride if you've not taken that in before. Takes off right at Palm Sprigs and goes up to the top of Mt. San Jacinto 10,834 feet high. Basically the desert floor to the highest point in that mountain range.
Joshua Tree NP is a bit of a drive from Palm Springs, but some of the better photo ops IMO. If you really want to drive you can go to Anza Borrego SP too. Again, weather permitting on both parks. If up for prime time shooting then both are always good even that late in May. But maybe not so good for hanging around during mid-day heat by then.
PS Tramway
Anza Borrego
JTNP
The Living Desert
Palm-Indian Canyons
Bill Brennan
Paul covered it pretty well, including the heat--probably triple digit highs by then. I just checked your website--if it's an indication of what you like, you probably do not want to photograph the desolate, abandoned, would-be towns around the Salton Sea--the tacky Bodies of 50 years ago (Google Salton Sea photos for examples). If you haven't seen the area already, you could take old Route 66 north of Palm Springs through Amboy (famous for photos of Roy's Diner) to get to the Mojave Reserve (south of Baker between the 15 and 40 freeways) for dunes and broad desert landscapes. I have not been to the high elevation areas there yet, but the eastern part of the Reserve includes alpine habitat. A colleague who works for the Dept of the Interior says this Reserve is his favorite. Depending on the upcoming weather, the heavy rains of the past months may make special opportunities.
Good luck,
John