First time in SoCal any advice for evening photo ideas.

[scot9181]

<p>Will be in Southern Cal staying in Costa Mesa for a few days July 6-10 will be avail in evenings to get out and shoot. Wondering if anyone would be able to share any photo locations for evinings.<br>

Thanks.<br>

Scott</p>

[User_6502147]

<p>You could go to S. Monica or Malibu. If that's too much of a drive check out Palos Verdes near the water. If your interest is airplanes (civil), you can find several stretches in El Segundo, where a myriad of aircraft fly rather low...on final approach to nearby LAX (wind direction dependent). Long lens works best. Torrence offers an industrial view of oil refinery (it's a huge one). Newport Beach has a pier...well it did when I was there. If you like a nice rocky coast La Jolla (near S. Diego) offers some spectacular vistas, especially around sunset. There are bunch of beaches that are accessible to you. You might want to check (google) on interesting architectural buildings nearby....if that's what you're into. <br>

You need to give us little more info on your specific interests, so we could be more precise with giving you advise.</p>

<p>Les</p>

 

[phillips]

<p>The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach has two piers and a long broad walk along the ocean side. Might be some good possibilities for sunset scenes. Farther down the peninsula on the bay side there is a fun zone, which is very active this time of year, as well as a ferry which crosses the bay to Balboa Island-the ferry crossing the bay might be a nice late afternoon/evening shot. For some pretty beach scenes with rocks look for beach access signs in Corona Del Mar, just south of Newport Beach. Laguna Beach, a few miles south of that also has the Pageant of the Masters which begins July 5- a great venue for people photography, as well as some nice beach opportunities. All of these locations are within a 30 minute drive from Costa Mesa. This is the middle of the tourist season, so you might also want to think of sunrise opportunities as well as twilight/evening views.</p>

[phillips]

<p>I might add that traffic on the 405 freeway in Orange County can be quite heavy, and if you're contemplating using it in the early evening on the way to other locations your late afternoon shoots are likely to be of other cars-for areas close to Newport Beach the Coast Highway is normally a better bet. </p>

[famico]

<p>Costa Mesa is sandwiched between Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, either of which provide plenty of photo ops. Their piers and surrounds make for good shooting. A little further down the coast is Crystal Cove, which is also a good place to see and shoot.<br>

If you are into birds, a little north of HB proper is Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, where there are plenty of opportunities to shoot a variety of birds.</p>

[scot9181]

<p>Thanks for the tips. I typically photograph alot of wildlife here in south Florida as well as aviation. I would really like to get some beach, surf, pier sunset shots. also skyline and some urban style landscapes would be cool.<br>

Will be there as /I said with mostly evenings avail. and then will be heading up to the bay area for a week. having been there when a lot younger I have some ideas up there but have never been to southern California. <br>

any others would be appreciated</p>

[phillips]

<p>It's been a long time ago for me, but if you want to get some surfing shots, the "wedge" by the the jetty on the Balboa peninsula used to be a popular place, and as I remember the pier at Huntington Beach-may have changed. Just give a call to a local surf shop to get their suggestions.</p>

[photo_galleries]

<p>If you are bringing your wildlife gear and if you have the time, then you may want to drive up the coast a little to the <a href="https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Bolsa-Chica-ER">Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve</a> for a little birding.</p>

<p>If you like aviation and have the time (maybe on Saturday or Sunday), the 35-mile drive up to the <a href="http://planesoffame.org/">Planes of Fame Museum</a> in Chino is worth the trip.<br /><br /><br>

<img src="http://www.leonin.net/img/s12/v177/p654747229-3.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

[scot9181]

<p>Thanks Keith. will consider those.<br>

I will have my 7d 24-105, 15-85 and 100-400 crammed into a sling bag. Just bought a ThinkTank turnstyle 20 amazing what will fit in that little bag. Also going to carry a tripod and have nd and polarizing filters as well. Would like to explore some coastal areas, as well as some urban landscapes. something new and expand my skills.</p>

 

[craig_gillette]

<p>Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Corona del Mar would be close for beach type shots as already mentioned. Bolsa Chica is just north of Huntington Beach for birding. Also San Joaquin Wildlife preserve (name?) is in Costa Mesa and might be a possibility. And as mentioned, traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening rush hour if you try to go too far.</p>

<p>In the Anaheim area, besides the Disney resorts and Downtown Disney (they are cranky about tripods in the Downtown Disney zone these days and have banned selfie sticks in the parks) which are interesting and can be photogenic but probably not too different from the Disney resorts in Florida as to style, etc. There is a new transit center Artic? in Anaheim adjacent to Angels Stadium/Honda Arena that is an interesting domish/egg shaped facility with multicolored lighting displays. I haven't tried to shoot it yet and parking could be chancey if there are games/concerts. Don't know of any restrictions in or near the center if you use tripods or aren't a "passenger" but I think the best shots I've seen have been looking in from the northern side.</p>

<p>With luck the weather will improve it's been hot and muggy and even intermittent rain and storms but should be clearing up some, although there is still the risk of June gloom lasting longer into the day. Since you are only going to be here during the work week, it doesn't seem likely that a try at Griffith Observatory will be practical and I'm not familiar with any similar spots overlooking the greater L.A. Basin except maybe Signal Hills near Long Beach (iffy at best) and if you can get to San Pedro, then there are locations near the Korean Peace Bell on Gaffey that would give good views of city lights, just that the drive time could be long. "Googling" any of these place names will give more details, of course. Likewise, El Segundo of Imperial Highway for airport viewing but again probably not drive time practical. Not sure if any similar viewing spots are available for John Wayne there in Costa Mesa</p>