Shooting San Franciso/Lake Tahoe (May 24-June4)

[lee_michael_graves]

My wife and I are going to Califnornia (for two weeks) for the FIRST

time. For the first week we are going to be in San Francisco with

family. The second week we are going to be at the Embassy Suites at

Lake Tahoe.

 

What shouldn't I miss SHOOTING on our trip?

Is there anything really nice during that time (May 24-June4)?

Which parks would be the best to visit?

Which special land marks would be nice to visit?

 

Any experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you very much.

[brad_mills]

That is the best time of year to photograph the waterfalls in Yosemite. Parts of the park are closed however, in the higher elevations.

[peter_popp]

Make sure you drive the road that goes around the rim of Lake Tahoe.

There are lots of photo opportunities all the way around the lake. At

the southwest corner especially, there is a large bay, if I remember

right it's called Emerald Bay. Absolutely gorgeous. The road is

quite high above the lake at that point, giving a great view. With

photo stops it could take 4 hours to drive around the

[david_chananie]

You are in for a wonderful time. Since you've written to the nature group, two suggestions. First, if you like redwood trees and forest, Muir Woods in Marin County is very nice, although a bit overcrowded to my taste. But, you takes your redwoods where you finds them. The second place is also in Marin County. As you are driving toward the Golden Gate Bridge, just a little before the bridge is a cutoff to the right which goes up a hill. Old forts are sited on the hill and overlook the bay. The view from the first and lowest down fort is the best. Peter Burian also mentioned a book for nature work in the area on the rec.photo.nature news group, and you might check dejanews for the reference.

[christian_mani]

You really must drive around this beautiful lake (Hwys 89 & 267) Emerald Bay is a MUST stop. This is goergeous inlet with a small island in the middle. Also, if you go over to the South Shore of Lake Tahoe (where most of the casinos are) you can take the tram to the top of Heavenly Valley ski resort and get a great panoramic photo of the whole lake at your feet. At his time of year Heavely opens the resort for mountain bikers which you can rent. This is a nice day's outing.

 

Getting back to the Bay Area, Marin County is very pretty, and you really must see Muir Woods and climb to the top of Mt. Tamalpias. Try stopping at the Pelican Inn for a nice lunch and Ale in this very British stye inn/pub in the Muir Woods/Beach area (you can spend the nite there too if you make advanced reservations..) The Marin Headlands gives you a great view of SF and the Golden Gate Bridge practically at your feet and is a view that is not to be missed. To get to the Headlands, take the GG bridge north to Marin and take the Alexander Ave exit (1st exit off the bridge I believe). Go left under the highway and double back towards the bridge and you will see a sign to the right up a long hill. Go up the hill and the view will become apparent very quickly....

 

Also, a great photo op is going over to the East Bay (Berkeley, Oakland, etc..) and driving to the top of the Berkeley Hills (Tilden Park). There is a road called Grizzly Peak that winds through the top of the hills. There are several vista points where you can stop & the view is from an elevation of about 1500 feet out over the SF Bay. You see at least 4 bridges; Alcatraz, Treasure and Angel islands, SF and the Marin Headlands all in one huge pano view. The sun usually sets at this time of year just to the right of the GG Bridge over the hills of the Martin Headlands and I've taken some great sunset shots from this spot. The Bay Area is wonderfull place for photography, Enjoy!!

 

Chris Mani

[jerome_smith]

From Tahoe, try to get to Mono Lake (George Lepp's most favorite place in the world to shoot), particularly for sunrise and sunset.

 

Good shooting

 

jssmith

[chris_hansen]

If you do decide to go north into Marin county also check out Pt. Reyes National Seashore. Great lighthouse, elephant seals, harbour seals, elk, deer etc. You can spend days shooting there.

Another possibility is to go into the Napa Valley and do some wine tasting and lanscape photography of the vineyards and wineries (some people might not call that landscape photography). If you are into birds Baylands south of S.F.O can be very good for clapper rails etc. during high tide. Good luck on your trip. There is more than enough things to see and do in Northern California

Chris

[dwn2]

You may also want to have a look at <a href="http://www.calphoto.com">www.calphoto.com</A>.

<P>It's a great all-around California nature photography site with great seasonal information.

[soni_bisht]

HI

am new to the place and i am in San Jose for a week (3Apr -9 Apr). planning to go to Lake Tahoe , Reno, SF Bay area . want to take some good photos . If some one can tell me some good picturesque areas i will be thankful. Should i include some more places in my travel plans like Yosemite or muir woods

[ShunCheung]

I live is the San Francisco area, and two of my favorite places for nature photography are Point Reyes which has already been mentioned:

http://www.nps.gov/pore/ and Point Lobos:

http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/

 

Point Reyes is north of the Golden Gate Bridge and is about a one-hour drive from San Francisco. Point Lobos is close to Monterey and Carmel.

 

There is of course Yosemite, but that is much farther away.