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 [...]
The Beaux Arts City Hall is the crown jewel of San Francisco’s Civic Center. Completed in time for the Panama Pacific Exposition in 1915, it dominates the area.
The trees of Civic Center Plaza that lead toward City Hall from the east and the War Memorial and Fulton Street that lead toward the City Hall from the west are similar to East Seaton Park and E. Capitol Street leading toward the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. However, San Francisco’s City Hall is taller than the Capitol in D.C.
The owner of California’s richest Gold Mine and water trader William Bowers built a lavish estate south of San Francisco, naming it Filoli. It is one of the few remaining estates of that period and the only one open to the public in the San Francisco Bay Area. Even Hollywood recognized the potential of this location. They famously featured the mansion in the 1980ies hit TV show “Dynasty” and several feature films, making it one of the best-known secrets in the Bay Area.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation manages the estate with an iron fist. Volunteer enforcers stand by with a head full of facts and policies. They enjoy surrendering countless details and chastising you for accidentally stepping on the lawn or for other small offenses. Manage to avoid the drill sergeants and a Georgian mansion set in a huge 16-acre garden on a 654-acre property is all yours to explore. At least the parts you can see from the official walkways.
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.
Mono Lake is one of California’s most prominent photographic icons. Countless photographers travel to this remote area to photograph the alien landscape, courtesy of Los Angeles’ unquenchable thirst for California’s precious water resources. Avoiding the dry death of Owens Lake, Mono Lake levels are rising again, thanks to the tireless efforts of conservationists.
Tufa, the dramatic rock spires protruding from the seabed, stand testament to the value of the water resource and the ecologic systems depending on it. Yet, in its unnatural state, the lake is most beautiful. Photographers appreciate the unusual formations, reflections, and colors.
Easily accessible, Mono Lake is a treasure that everyone can own. Showing up is all it takes to take good photographs. If you are willing to stay after dark and bring your own light source, you can create bizarre yet gorgeous masterpieces.
Randsburg preserves the flair of an old western town while catering to a growing crowd of tourists. The self proclaimed “Living Ghost Town” is not very ghostly but a superb spot for photographers wanting to discover the west.
Randsburg is an unexpected surprise that will spice up a long day of travel in the desert region. You can find food, ice cream, and shade and most importantly, you can take good photographs while giving your fellow troopers the rest they crave.
When a slightly eccentric couple started collecting historic buildings from several counties and put them together into an artificial city within a city, they had no idea that their work would become Bodfish’s number one attraction.
Bodfish?
Bodfish is a small unassuming city near Lake Isabella, at the southern corner of the Sierra Nevada.
Now you can stay on top of your California Photo Locations and use the location-based services of your mobile device to find close shooting opportunities. Read the articles conveniently on your mobile device and research any location with ease. This will put the entire CPS (California Photo Scout) database at your fingertips. The map even updates in real time as I add new articles every week, expanding continuously.
The Trona Pinnacles are a strange and alien landscape of giant tufa formations stretching skyward. Strange enough, to serve as the “Planet of the Apes” in the 2001 remake of the movie.
The calcium carbonate tufa rocks are similar to those you can find in Mono Lake, only much larger. When you are standing in the punishing heat of this desert, it is hard to imagine that this area was under water many centuries ago.
Owing to their bizarre nature, the Pinnacles provide a wonderful opportunity for photography. The remote location makes it a good place for those who seek solitude.
Founded in 1797, Mission San Jose quickly became one of the most prosperous. Nearly 2,000 Indians lived here, tending the land and animals.
The Mission is named after St. Joseph, Jesus’ stepfather, who also lent his name to nearby San Jose, the unofficial capital of the Silicon Valley.
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