Tag Archives: Travel Photography

How to photograph from Corona Heights Park

2012/01/08 – 16:31

Corona Heights Park is the only place in San Francisco that offers a true 360 degree unobstructed vista. The former quarry does not show up in most guidebooks. Corona Heights is thus, mostly a local hang out spot and a dog’s playground.

The rocks are easy to climb, yet steep enough for superb unobstructed views. Randall Museum is located on the grounds of the park. It too has breathtaking views.

Corona Heights is the ideal place for scenic photography. Its views are less familiar than those of nearby Twin Peaks, yet often more spectacular.
Corona Heights

By myphotoscout | Posted in Bay Area, hike, landmark, Museum, night, Northern California, San Francisco, Skyline | Also tagged , | Comments (1)

How to photograph Fort Mason

2011/09/21 – 01:59

Located on a small hilltop overlooking the entrance to San Francisco Bay, Fort Mason was the obvious choice for defensive fortifications. In the age of high tech weaponry, Fort Mason still makes a formidable base for high tech shooters of a different kind, photographers.

Throughout the years, the fort was home to Spanish and American troops and earthquake refugees and served as a port of embarkation for World War II.
Fort Mason roofs and Palace of Fine Arts

By myphotoscout | Posted in Bay Area, golden gate, Marine, Northern California, NRA, park, San Francisco | Also tagged , , | Leave a Comment

Santa Barbara Superior Court

2011/06/15 – 05:35

Santa Barbara’s nestles between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Coast. The Spanish architecture and clean, palm dotted neighborhoods, and the superb location create a relaxed holiday atmosphere unparalleled anywhere else. When city planners chose to rebuild Santa Barbara in this clean villa like image, they built America’s most beautiful courthouse as the crown jewel of city architecture.

Santa Barbara’s Superior Court occupies an entire block in downtown. The building complex features a tall clock tower, a garden, murals, a fountain, ornaments, tiles, and other architectural highlights. Of all the features, the views of Santa Barbara from the “El Mirador” clock tower are the most remarkable.

No other building in downtown is higher, making this the best spot to photograph overviews of the city. Amazingly, I have never encountered crowds on the tower during my previous visits, but tourist traffic has increased over the years.

Do not miss the chance to visit the courthouse and enjoy the view from the eighty-five feet tall tower.

Santa Barbara Mountains

By myphotoscout | Posted in Central Coast, Coast, landmark, santa barbara county, South Coast, Southern California | Also tagged , , , | Comments (2)

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 | Posted in landmark, Museum, park, San Diego, Southern California, state park | Also tagged , , , | Comments (4)

How to photograph Solvang

2011/04/06 – 03:32

Solvang, a Danish town, is located in the fertile Santa Ynez valley, just north of Santa Barbara. The valley receives nearly 300 days of sunshine every year and is home to many fine wineries. The climate could not be more different from the northern European Denmark, yet the city, complete with Danish style studwork houses (bindingsvaerk), windmills and Danish culture feels authentic.

It is fun to explore California’s quaint little Denmark and immerse yourself in a different culture, in a town where time seems to stand still. The stores carry items that you can only find here and the bakeries tempt your senses with the sweetest smells. During Danish Days in September, the town turns into a giant fairground, where the towns’ people celebrate their Scandinavian heritage.

ingeborgs

By myphotoscout | Posted in Central Coast, landmark, santa barbara county, Southern California | Also 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 | Posted in Coast, landmark, lighthouses, Museum, National Monument, San Diego, Skyline, South Coast, Southern California | Also tagged | Comments (2)

Treasure Island Park, Laguna Beach

2011/03/23 – 03:09

Treasure Island Beach ranks among the most iconic of Southern California’s world famous beaches. Located in Laguna Beach, it competes with other classy white sand beaches and is much less crowded than you would expect, considering its turquoise blue water, clean, sand and easy access. This makes it a prime target for beach photography and a favorite for wedding and portrait photographers.

Treasure Island Park, which sits on the cliffs above the beach, is a beautifully landscaped park with benches and overlooks, courtesy of the Montage, a five star resort. The public access park has spectacular views and easy access to the beach below. This would be a perfect location to spend the day and relax, but the sun will wear you out eventually.

Treasue Island Park Sunset

By myphotoscout | Posted in beach, Coast, Los Angeles, Orange County, park, South Coast, Southern California | Also tagged , , | Comments (3)

Mission San Juan Capistrano

2011/03/16 – 02:10

Mission San Juan Capistrano is my favorite California mission. Its title, “The Jewel of the Missions”, fits the photogenic gardens, beautiful colonnades, and courtyards. The Mission is larger than it appears from the outside. Small alleys give way to courtyards and beautiful gardens with native plants. The tasteful restoration of Mission San Juan Capistrano has preserved the old feeling, giving it a presence and authenticity that other missions lack.

When Father Junipero Serra founded San Juan Capistrano Mission in 1776 for the second time, he resurrected the Mission founded and abandoned one year before. The chapel, built in 1782, is the oldest building still in use in California. The Mission is home to large flocks of swallows that return here for the summer. Every March 19, the city of San Juan Capistrano holds a large street fair with a parade in honor of the swallows.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is a terrific photo destination. Tourists rarely overcrowd the mission, despite its convenient location along I-5 in Orange County. You will find new compositions for hours on end with a chance to learn about the history of California’s settlement. Take an extra day for your trip between L.A. and San Diego to see the Mission, town, and coast.

Colonnade - San Juan Capistrano

By myphotoscout | Posted in California Missions, flowers, landmark, Los Angeles, Orange County, South Coast | Also tagged , , , | Comments (5)

How to photograph San Pedro

2011/03/02 – 04:03

Labeling San Pedro as Long Beach’s ugly neighbor would be unfair to the busy port city that offers more than a few good photo spots. However, San Pedro is not the first choice of tourists, unless they are heading for one of the cruise ship terminals.

I felt the atmosphere change in the car after we crossed over the Vincent Thomas Bridge from Long Beach into San Pedro. Dani unintentionally became tenser when we drove through some of the economically depressed areas in search for good photo spots. She knows I take my scouting seriously, but I could tell she was wondering why I decided to stop here. Her doubts mounted when I dropped the car in a shady side street, with our belongings in the trunk, to investigate the cruise ship terminals and look for a good place to photograph the bridge. Eventually, we discovered some places that are worth the tour through San Pedro.

Point Fermin, a charming coastal bluffs park, seems to struggle with decay, trash, and overuse in this depressed neighborhood. The Korean Friendship Bell overlooks the city from atop a hill with gorgeous views. These and a view other sights make the trip worthwhile, but the apparent lack of tempting restaurants and hotels inform you clearly to leave before sunset.

China Shipping

By myphotoscout | Posted in beach, Coast, landmark, lighthouses, Los Angeles, Marine, South Coast, Southern California | Also 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 | Posted in Coast, Faith, flowers, landmark, San Diego, Southern California | Also tagged , , , | Comments (5)
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