I'll be heading over to the Big Sur area for the April 12th weekend.
While I know of the usual spots : Pfeiffer arch, McWay falls, Garrapatta Beach and Point Lobos area, I wanted to know the accessibility of these areas after dark. I'm hoping to get some astro shots here and wanted to know if anyone has some experience in doing some night shots here. My main concern is parking, as I've heard that the CA-1 highway is quite rigid on parking areas and timings.
Sairam, there are plenty of turnouts along Hwy 1, just be careful to give yourself plenty of room to park and keep valuables out of site. Pt Lobos closes at 7 p.m., Julia Pfeiffer Burns 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, Pfeiffer Beach probably has same restrictions as Pt. Lobos as both are gated with entrance requirements. Garrapata is wide open, pick out a good parking spot and take a hike. Enjoy your time on the coast.
Thanks for the reply. It's good to know these times. My main goal was to be able to catch the Milky way if the skies cooperated. Hopefully these turn outs allow parking in the wee hours of the morning.
It's sad that Point Lobos closes so soon! I was hoping to catch sunset there. Hopefully I can return with some good images
Sairam,
People park overnight on Hwy 1 in Big Sur and parking for nighttime shooting is not a problem (except for possible vandalism). I have photographed at all the locations mentioned at night (except for Pt Lobos, which closes now at 7 pm) without any issues. Be aware that Hwy 1 closes from 9 pm to 7 am Sundays-Thursdays at the Rocky Creek Bridge area (some times you are allowed through during such closures, but check road closure reports for Hwy 1 before venturing out).
Let me know if you need more information.
Yes, that would be very helpful. I was considering the Bixby bridge as a possible location to shoot the Milky Way. So are you saying that I wouldn't be able to park in the turn off there? Another location I had in mind was the Mcway falls. Is there a place to check for road closures?
Sairam,
You should be able to park at the north or south end of Bixby Bridge, or on the Old Coast Rd (north-east side of Bixby Bridge). Rocky Creek Bridge is the one immediatel north of Bixby Bridge. McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is an easy walk-in from Hwy 1 (foot path is southwest of entrance near a gate on the west side of Hwy 1 just before a curve in the road as you are heading south). There's no parking at that gate.
Road closures - type Hwy 1 into search box on this page: http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi
You can also get periodic emails about road closures in Big Sur from Wild Big Sur (Pelican Network site) by sending an email to: WildBigSur@PelicanNetwork.net with "add" in the subject line
I assume you've checked whether the Milky Way will be visible from your shooting locations at this time of year.
Thanks for all that info! Yup, I've looked up to see when are where the Milky way will be visible. It's going to be visible between 12 midnight and sunrise on the days I'm visiting. I will check these links out. Thanks so much for all the info! Appreciate it!
Posted by Rodney Ninow on April 8, 2013 at 2:32 PM
I will be interested to see what you are able to capture as far as the Milky Way this time of year. My research shows that later in the year is best.
Definitely will share images from the trip here Rodney. Yes, summer is definitely better for capturing the Milky way, but I'm going to see what I can get :)
Discussion
8 repliesI'll be heading over to the Big Sur area for the April 12th weekend.
While I know of the usual spots : Pfeiffer arch, McWay falls, Garrapatta Beach and Point Lobos area, I wanted to know the accessibility of these areas after dark. I'm hoping to get some astro shots here and wanted to know if anyone has some experience in doing some night shots here. My main concern is parking, as I've heard that the CA-1 highway is quite rigid on parking areas and timings.
Would appreciate your input and suggestions.
Thanks
Sairam
Thanks for the reply. It's good to know these times. My main goal was to be able to catch the Milky way if the skies cooperated. Hopefully these turn outs allow parking in the wee hours of the morning.
It's sad that Point Lobos closes so soon! I was hoping to catch sunset there. Hopefully I can return with some good images
People park overnight on Hwy 1 in Big Sur and parking for nighttime shooting is not a problem (except for possible vandalism). I have photographed at all the locations mentioned at night (except for Pt Lobos, which closes now at 7 pm) without any issues. Be aware that Hwy 1 closes from 9 pm to 7 am Sundays-Thursdays at the Rocky Creek Bridge area (some times you are allowed through during such closures, but check road closure reports for Hwy 1 before venturing out).
Let me know if you need more information.
cheers,
David
Yes, that would be very helpful. I was considering the Bixby bridge as a possible location to shoot the Milky Way. So are you saying that I wouldn't be able to park in the turn off there? Another location I had in mind was the Mcway falls. Is there a place to check for road closures?
You should be able to park at the north or south end of Bixby Bridge, or on the Old Coast Rd (north-east side of Bixby Bridge). Rocky Creek Bridge is the one immediatel north of Bixby Bridge. McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is an easy walk-in from Hwy 1 (foot path is southwest of entrance near a gate on the west side of Hwy 1 just before a curve in the road as you are heading south). There's no parking at that gate.
Road closures - type Hwy 1 into search box on this page: http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi
You can also get periodic emails about road closures in Big Sur from Wild Big Sur (Pelican Network site) by sending an email to: WildBigSur@PelicanNetwork.net with "add" in the subject line
I assume you've checked whether the Milky Way will be visible from your shooting locations at this time of year.
regards,
David
Thanks for all that info! Yup, I've looked up to see when are where the Milky way will be visible. It's going to be visible between 12 midnight and sunrise on the days I'm visiting. I will check these links out. Thanks so much for all the info! Appreciate it!