Category Archives: Central Coast

Montana de Oro State Park

2011/01/05 – 04:20

Montana de Oro State Park is California’s largest coastal state park. Despite the 1 million visitors each year, you will be able to find solitude on the nearly 50 miles of trails. Diverse coastal landscapes, spectacular wildlife viewing, and outdoor sports activities make this park so popular.

Montana de Oro’s sweeping views of rugged coastal landscapes, dunes, and the chance to photograph wild animals make it very attractive for photographers. Unspoiled coastal landscapes are becoming increasingly harder to find, which makes the park such a treasure. The constant pressure from Sacramento’s budget threatens this jewel of the Central California Coast.

Sand Spit - Montana de Oro

By myphotoscout | Also posted in beach, Coast, hike, San Luis Obispo, South Coast, Southern California, state park, Wildlife | Tagged , | Comments (5)

How to photograph Avila Beach

2010/12/22 – 06:13

Avila Beach is a secluded, charming beach community, hidden from the traditional tourist routes but close enough for a short side trip, if you know where to look and if you find the only access road from the highway.

The town has the best beach in the area. It is located in a natural harbor sheltered by mountains from three sides. The beach is the main attraction for most visitors, but it has a lot to offer to us photographers as well. I learned that this is also a favorite location of a fellow photographer, Bob Towery, who has produced some of his most astonishing work here; a fact that made it infinitely more difficult for me to write about this heavenly small vacation town.

I am thus just going to give an account of my impressions and instead encourage you to come here and discover this place yourself.

Pelican Flight

By myphotoscout | Also posted in beach, Coast, Marine, San Luis Obispo, South Coast, Southern California | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)

How to photograph Santa Ines Mission

2010/08/26 – 04:17

Santa Ines Mission is located between Santa Barbara Mission and Mission La Purisima Concepcion. The Mission was built as an afterthought to relieve overcrowding at these two nearby missions and to “serve” (exploit) the friendly Chumash Indians that lived in the fertile Santa Ynez valley.

Although the Mission does not stand out next to its two famous neighbors, you will still find many unique compositions and wonderful subjects that are worth the time and effort. The pleasant city of Solvang and their delicious sweet Danish treats can always help you justify the side trip.
Santa Ines Mission

By myphotoscout | Also posted in California Missions, Faith, landmark, santa barbara county, Southern California | Tagged , , , | Comments (3)

How to photograph Carmel by the Sea

2010/08/11 – 06:08

The attractive community of Carmel by the Sea retained its small town charm in spite of a booming real estate bubble. It encompasses two of the finest beaches in Northern California and the most expensive housing market outside Malibu, turning Carmel into a playground for the rich and very rich.

Upscale Carmel also attracts affluent tourists, who pamper themselves in the expensive cottages and spend their days shopping in boutique stores.
Carmel River State Beach

By myphotoscout | Also posted in beach, Coast, flowers, hike, Montery Peninsula, Northern California, park, state park | Tagged , | Comments (1)

How to photograph Capitola

2010/08/04 – 04:54

Charming beach communities like Capitola are rare in Northern California. The city is famous for its laid-back atmosphere, surfers, and hip downtown bars at the water’s edge. Capitola is the perfect escape for busy Bay Area residents who slip out of their business suits for the weekend, partially envious of the aging surfing hippies that never sold out.

Fun in the sun, a beer at the beach on Zelda’s patio, the best slice of pizza you can get with sandy, naked feet, or a late night flirty Margarita at the Margaritaville, these are some of the simple pleasures Capitola has to offer. You will not have any trouble convincing your family members to join you for this trip.
Capitola Wharf

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, beach, Coast, Montery Peninsula, night, Northern California, santa cruz county, Street Photography | Tagged , | Comments (3)

How to photograph La Purisima Mission SHP

2010/05/26 – 18:49

The extensive complex of the La Purisima Mission entails the church, workshops, gardens, and living quarters. It presents a detailed picture of mission life in the early 19th Century. With ten of its original buildings fully renovated, La Purisima Mission is the most completely restored mission in California.

It is also one of the most photogenic missions.
La Purisima Mission

By myphotoscout | Also posted in California Missions, Faith, landmark, Museum, Southern California, state park | Tagged , , , | Comments (11)

How to photograph Shell Beach

2010/05/04 – 05:04

The affluent beach community of Shell Beach, north of Pismo Beach provides a convenient scenic stop along Highway 101. The sunsets here are more vivid than elsewhere, the air is fresher and the water cleaner.

Gorgeous ocean-view hotels, seaside restaurants, and large residences occupy the small space between Highway 101 and the cliffs of the Pacific Coast. Below these cliffs, tide pools reveal an intriguing variety of amphibian life.

Nearby, at Pelican Point and Shelter Cove, you will find a colony of Pelicans and have superb views of the sea and Pismo Beach.
Sunset at the tide pools of Shell Beach

By myphotoscout | Also posted in beach, Coast, San Luis Obispo, Southern California, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | Comments (4)

How to photograph Hearst Castle

2009/06/04 – 13:09

History buffs, media and television aficionados, marketing folks and photographers will find Hearst Castle a fascinating place to visit.

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Coast, San Luis Obispo, South Coast, Southern California, state park | Tagged , , , | Comments (5)

How to photograph Wildflowers near Big Sur

2009/05/12 – 05:54

The fascination that is Highway 1 is still holding me in its tight grip after all these years. I remember most of my trips and my amazement and the incredible landscape unfolding behind every turn and hill. I used to ride this road even before I was a photographer for the pure joy of the drive.
Yellow Flower Field near Garrapata Beach

By myphotoscout | Also posted in beach, flowers, Southern California, state park, wildflowers | Tagged , , | Comments (6)
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