Category Archives: San Diego

San Diego Old Town

2011/05/11 – 05:38

The site of the first European settlement in California, San Diego Old Town, is a place rich in history. The bustling state park, where history mixes with entertainment, is one of San Diego’s most famous and easiest accessible tourist traps. The park offers a romanticized glimpse back in time, through a pair of kitschy commercial goggles. Nonetheless, the amusement park style historic core is a nice diversion from the modern glitter of San Diego.

If you manage to look past the candy and novelty stores, you will still be able to gain glimpses of the harsh life of those early settlers. The tiny jail, original courthouse, and several museums preserve the history of California’s birthplace. The colorful shops at the Fiesta del Reyes Plaza, the Mexican dancers, and the Old Town Market complement the experience with the rich Mexican heritage of California.

The site of the first European settlement in California, San Diego Old Town, is a place rich in history. The bustling state park, where history mixes with entertainment, is one of San Diego’s most famous and easiest accessible tourist traps. The park offers a romanticized glimpse back in time, through a pair of kitschy commercial goggles. Nonetheless, the amusement park style historic core is a nice diversion from the modern glitter of San Diego.

If you manage to look past the candy and novelty stores, you will still be able to gain glimpses of the harsh life of those early settlers. The tiny jail, original courthouse, and several museums preserve the history of California’s birthplace. The colorful shops at the Fiesta del Reyes Plaza, the Mexican dancers, and the Old Town Market complement the experience with the rich Mexican heritage of California.

By myphotoscout | Also posted in landmark, Museum, park, Southern California, state park | Tagged , , , , | Comments (4)

Point Loma Peninsula Neighborhoods

2011/04/14 – 05:24

The hilly peninsula of Point Loma defines the western limit of San Diego Bay, the cities natural harbor. It is the perfect place to soak in the sun. Surrounded by ocean, it never gets too hot or too cold here and the air is always fresh.

On the surface, Point Loma seems to be a good place to hang out, but photographically it does not appear as interesting as other, more publicized areas. However, if you dare to look deeper, you will find this to be one of the best places to capture the essence of Southern California, a mixture of laid-back beach atmosphere and glitzy high tech.

Rugged cliffs, unique views of downtown San Diego, a yacht harbor, a sandy beach, and typical California surfers are among the sights you can expect on Point Loma. Cabrillo National Monument, the peninsula’s most famous landmark, is the subject of a separate article.

San Diego Skyline from Shelter Island

By myphotoscout | Also posted in beach, Coast, Island, scenic drive, Skyline, South Coast, Southern California | Tagged , , | Comments (4)

Cabrillo National Monument – San Diego

2011/03/30 – 03:54

Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the arrival of the first Europeans on the West Coast of the United States of America. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo led the expedition as a reward for his loyal services in the conquest of Mexico. He died shortly after discovering the Channel Islands from a wound he received in a skirmish with native Indians that became infectious.

Cabrillo National Monument, located at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, has extraordinary views of the bay, the Naval Base with Airport, military and civilian ships, and even migrating whales. Additionally, you will find historic exhibits, two lighthouses, and even tidepools within the National Monument, making it an ideal family photography destination.

Cabrillo National Monument

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Coast, landmark, lighthouses, Museum, National Monument, Skyline, South Coast, Southern California | Tagged , | Comments (2)

Mormon Temple, La Jolla

2011/02/23 – 04:32

You cannot miss the Mormon Temple when you drive on I-5 between San Diego and Los Angeles. The white towers ominously rise next to the freeway, luring curious visitors. I have passed this sight many times, wondering about this mysterious building.

On a recent trip, I decided to take the short detour to investigate. We walked around the ground for a few minutes, when a friendly missionary holding a folder approached us. We quickly found out that we could not enter the temple, but he had pictures showing us the intricate details and the lavish decorations of some of the rooms. The man explained some of the details of the Mormon faith and even succeeded in portraying the LDS faith in a positive light, without pushing his belief onto us.

LDS temple christmas

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Coast, Faith, flowers, landmark, Southern California | Tagged , , , , | Comments (5)

Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach

2011/02/02 – 05:47

Pacific Beach is a laid-back beach community within the northern city limits of San Diego. Its long beach and boardwalk are a perfect example of Southern California’s beach culture.

I am not a fan of beach photography. Beaches often lack an interesting foreground, are often overcrowded, and generally difficult to photograph. Fortunately, Pacific Beach has an intriguing pier, an active surfing community, and an abundance of characters that should provide you with plenty of things to photograph.

Pacific Beach, or PB, is a place to relax. You will find a diverse restaurant and nightlife scene, resorts, motels, and small B&Bs in close proximity. It is close to Mission Bay, Sea World, and many other San Diego attractions, making it perfect for taking a break and doing as the locals do. Enjoy your time out and take your photographs along the way.

Three Friends at Crystal Pier

By myphotoscout | Also posted in beach, Coast, landmark, South Coast, Southern California | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)

How to photograph La Jolla

2011/01/26 – 05:24

La Jolla is an upscale beach community within the city limits of San Diego. Although development has mostly tamed its rugged landscape, the charming and tasteful integration of man and nature somehow seems to work well in La Jolla. Officials have reserved some of the beaches for seals and others for people and they seem to stick to the arrangement; seals keep their distance and people stay behind fences and lines.

Tasteful Spanish style buildings nestle along the cliffs and manmade parks complement nature’s beautiful work. La Jolla is a pleasant community but it shares the fate of overcrowding with most other beautiful beach communities in Southern California. People pack into the small town like sardines into a can, making your job as a travel photographer challenging. At the same time, people often present interesting opportunities.

La Jolla

By myphotoscout | Also posted in beach, Coast, landmark, park, scenic drive, South Coast, Southern California, Wildlife | Tagged , | Comments (3)

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

2010/09/15 – 05:34

The San Diego Wild Animal Park recently changed its name to San Diego Zoo Safari Park, since it “reflects the experience the Park has to offer” in a better way. In my opinion, neither of these glorious titles accurately describes the park. The Safari Park is actually a breeding enclosure for the Zoo that double [...]

By myphotoscout | Also posted in park, Southern California, Wildlife, zoo | Tagged , , , , | Comments (7)

How to photograph Torrey Pines State Reserve

2010/03/31 – 20:32

Nature’s last stand, amidst the Southern California urban jungle, is Torrey Pines, a park that protects a rare pine tree and migrating birds. Sheltered from covetous developers encroaching on the beaches of this beautiful land, the park still suffers from overcrowding.

With its plentiful natural beauty, the park attracts large crowds of city dwellers seeking a temporary relief from their urban lifestyles. The constant “xcuse-me” of the nation’s densest gathering of joggers, paired with noisy city dwellers, make finding solitude impossible and concentrating on photography difficult. Hold on to your equipment when you float down the trails in a sea of people and do not try to swim upstream!
Yucca - Torrey Pines, CA

By myphotoscout | Also posted in beach, Coast, flowers, hike, park, Southern California, state park | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment

San Diego’s Best Night Photography Spots

2010/03/23 – 20:27

The old proverb, all colors will agree in the dark, is obsolete since the advent of color photography. In her infinite wisdom, Mother Nature gave us good eyesight at night. The reduced color vision is a small price to pay to see in the dark and not be eaten.

Then men invented color photography.

Now we can increase exposure time but retain color sensitivity in the dark. Suddenly, night is vibrantly colorful. The different color temperatures of the varied artificial light sources produce a wide color spectrum only visible to the camera. It is easy to dazzle viewers with night photography. Reason enough to explore the energetic city of San Diego at night.

Night photography is easy. A sturdy tripod, a cable release and patience will get you very good reproducible results. The additional effort keeps the competition away and the streets empty for your work.

San Diego is an appealing city to photograph at night. The San Diego Bay provides a splendid reflecting pool, the old gas lamps arrange for color and the varied subjects ensure diversity. Consider a night out on your next photo tour and take advantage of the changeling city.
USS Midway at Night from the Pier

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Coast, hike, landmark, park, Skyline, Southern California, Street Photography, Transportation | Tagged , | Comments (4)

How to photograph the Hotel del Coronado

2010/03/11 – 16:33

The Hotel del Coronado, a wooden Victorian beach resort, is a national historic landmark. The luxury resort spreads over 28 acres, featuring everything the spoiled guests expect. The large, wooden hotel played host to 14 US Presidents, Hollywood celebrities, significant foreign personalities, and allegedly even ghosts. Touted as a romantic getaway, I wonder if the prices, which can easily exceed $600 for a weekend night in summer, are any indication of the expected romantic pleasure a guest will derive from a stay. Apparently, that is the case, considering the full parking lots and hotel availability statistics.
Pool of the Hotel del Coronado

By myphotoscout | Also posted in beach, Coast, landmark, Southern California | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (3)
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