joe_austin1 Posted January 9, 2003 Share Posted January 9, 2003 I'll be in Los Angeles in Feb on business and would like to take a week or so for photography in the region. Are there any good wildlife spots in the area? I am aware of the San Diego zoo and wildlife parks, but would be more interested in public parks, wildlife reserves, or such areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg s Posted January 9, 2003 Share Posted January 9, 2003 My favorite state park in S. Cal. is Cuyamaca State Park, located due east of San Diego (a loop drive is possible via hwy 78 -> I-8). It's about a 45 min drive from S.D. and, if time permits, a drive further east leads to Anza Borrego S.P. Cuyamaca is comprised of pine and oak forests with mountain meadows, while Anza Borrego is rugged desert country. Mount Polamar State Park also has some nice trails, but Cuyamaca is the best. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward_caliguri1 Posted January 9, 2003 Share Posted January 9, 2003 Hi!If you can drive a bit - Joshua Tree is east near Palm Springs. It's very unusual and unique! If you can camp (or even motel nearby) sunrise/sunsets are great!Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_austin1 Posted January 9, 2003 Author Share Posted January 9, 2003 What are the wildlife opportunities at these locations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg s Posted January 9, 2003 Share Posted January 9, 2003 Cuyamaca: If you hike up into the higher meadows (especially late afternoon on my favorite trail, could supply directions), you would see lots of deer. Typically I would see 10 to 20, and once I saw a group of 80. Coyotes are fairly common. Other mammals I have seen include skunks, kit fox, bobcat, etc. The park is easily one of the richest, most intact ecosystems in Calif (surrounded by the Cleveland NF with corridors to Anza Borrego) and has bighorn sheep and mountain lion (of which there are now warning signs since a very unfortunate incident in '91). Of course it's all a matter of luck as to what you'll see, but mule deer do abound like nowhere else I've been. Birding can also be good, depending on weather and season. I've seen kites hovering around over the meadows at times. Acorn woodpeckers are very common and poke massive amounts of acorns in the sides of pines. In Anza Borrego the most interesting critters I've seen are ring-tailed cats, but that was just one time at midnight or so. In the winter you may see desert bighorn sheep (they close off the most critical water holes in the summer). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_gillette Posted January 9, 2003 Share Posted January 9, 2003 I think the most unusual wildlife area would be the elephant seal colony at Piedras Blancas/San Simeon just north of Cambria on Highway 1. It's not a day trip of course but if you have a week, then a couple of days could be extended to the central coast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergey_oboguev Posted January 9, 2003 Share Posted January 9, 2003 <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1560444940">California Wildlife Viewing Guide</a> <p>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1560444940 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted January 10, 2003 Share Posted January 10, 2003 Venice Beach! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian_kennedy Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 Before I went to LA a few years ago, I looked here and found several threads on potential locations. Try searching for "Los Angeles," "California," and the like. <P> I went in search of birds. I especially liked Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve (see <A HREF="http://www.bolsachica.org/">http://www.bolsachica.org/</A>) and the State Beach just across the street from it. Newport's Back Bay was highly recommended, but I did not find it very productive. I have heard it can be hit or miss. Both are very close to LA. Anza Borrego is neat, but a bit far from LA.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the lone ranger Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 the central coast man. this is the perfect time for piedras blancas like the other poster said. this is mating season for the elephant seals and stuff. i live near l.a. and i have made day trips up to that area. if youre in l.a. it should maybe take 2.5 hours. takes just as long to get to joshua tree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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