Photo Locations Near Seattle, WA

[jasonsmith894]

Work is taking me to Seattle for a week next month. I

will be there over a weekend and should be able to carve

out a little time to shoot. Are there any good locations in

and around Seattle for landscapes/seascapes? I am

willing to drive outside the city of necessary, but

probably not more than an hour or two. Appreciate any

thoughts or location tips. Happy New Year to all!

[bob_flood1]

<p>Interested in wildlife? There's a salmon run in the Skagit River in December and January, and it attracts eagles. Do a web search for Skagit eagle festival and you'll find info about where (Skagit River Valley). You should expect to need at least a 300 mm lens, longer would be better. You can also expect to see eagles and large flocks of snow geese in the Skagit delta near the Puget Sound. When I was there 2 years ago, the weather was sensational.</p>

<p>The ferries that move people around the greater Seattle area go to the San Juan Islands, and they can be beautiful, but be mindful of the weather. You can drive onto a ferry at Anacortes and go to San Juan Island and others. Driving around the island will present good opportunities, as well as what you'll see from the ferry (might include orcas).</p>

[User_6502147]

<p>Also, you may want to rip to Mt Rainier, tho it could be snowing there at higher elev...or even road closure due to that. Additionally, Snoqualmie Pass or Falls....the pass is 53 miles away, while the turnoff for the falls is only 25 miles away (I-90). Don't forget Kerry Park with fantastic city overview (incl the Needle)....gees, we only have 476 parks (last time I checked)...and if you insist being by the water, there is a Lincoln Park and several on the E. side of the city + arboretum and Japanese Garden. There is plenty to check out across the water (Pt Townsend), but you need to take a ferry. Ha, do you have a week+ just to see some spots here ?<br>

Les</p>

 

[charles_stobbs3]

The area round Anacortes is very scenic but maybe a little further than you want to drive. If there are one

day round trip boats from Seattle to Victoria, B.C. at this time of year (on a clear day) you would have

many photo ops.

[jairorodriguez]

<p>Hi Jason, <br>

after having lived in Seattle for seven years and photographed around extensively here are my five cents (or a little more). I include some links to write ups I have posted in the past about the locations. Some of them have been mentioned above. And some of the photos are within tutorials on how to do something. Just check the location map at the bottom of the post for the exact location where the photo was taken.</p>

<p>Cityscape:<br>

<strong>Kerry park</strong>, in the Queen Anne neighborhood (http://www.jairophoto.com/blog/good-morning-kerry-park-seattle/)<br>

<strong>Jose Rizal Bridge</strong> (http://www.jairophoto.com/blog/sunset-over-seattle-from-jose-rizal-bridge/ and http://www.jairophoto.com/blog/downtown-seattle/)<br>

<strong>Downtown from alki</strong> (http://www.jairophoto.com/blog/remove-halos-in-photoshop/)<br>

<strong>Waterfront</strong> from the Bell Harbor conference center (http://www.jairophoto.com/blog/seattle-waterfront/)<br>

<strong>Lake union</strong>, specially from gasworks park (http://www.jairophoto.com/blog/sunset-lake-union/)<br>

<strong>Anywhere around pike's place</strong>.</p>

<p>Seascapes:<br>

<strong>Edmonds Ferry Terminal.</strong> A short drive up north on I5. A great spot to catch the sunset from (http://www.jairophoto.com/blog/sunset-at-edmonds-beach/)<br>

<strong>Salt Creek beach</strong>. About 2h 30' from Seattle. Great coast location near Port Angeles (http://www.jairophoto.com/blog/how-to-use-lee-big-stopper/)</p>

<p>Landscapes:<br>

<strong>Mt. Rainier.</strong> an amazing frozen volcano south of Seattle. Lots of snow at this time of the year.<br>

<strong>Mt Saint Helens.</strong> The volcano that blew up. 2h 30' South of Seattle. Lots of snow too (http://www.jairophoto.com/blog/blending-photos-in-photoshop/)<br>

<strong>Olympic National Park</strong>. If you can drive some more you have endless possibilities here... probably too much if you are only there for a weekend, but here it goes...<br>

coast: http://www.jairophoto.com/blog/photos-of-olympic-national-park-coast/<br>

forests: http://www.jairophoto.com/blog/photography-of-olympic-national-park-the-woods/</p>

<p>Happy new year and enjoy Seattle!<br>

JR</p>

 

[jasonsmith894]

Wow. Thanks everyone for all the wonderful

suggestions. Now I'm wishing I had more time in

Seattle. I'll have to choose very carefully how to use the

limited time I have. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

[Ed_Ingold]

<p>I was in the Seattle area last week, and the passes were closed due to heavy snow. When re-opened, you are required to have chains or 4-wheel drive. This would include the approaches to Mt. Baker, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Ranier. They are usually open, but the weather this year has been severe. You can check the status on www.WSDOT.com. Clear sky, that time of year, is much less frequent than snow in the mountains.</p>

<p>The Olympic Peninsula was completely snow covered from about 1000 feet and up. However the highway is probably open. The Olympic National Park is about a day's drive from Seattle. On the way there is a nice "fudgy" town, Port Washington, and a larger town with access to the mountains, Port Las Angeles. Near the Olympic NP is the town of Forks, where you might see a vampire ;)</p>

<p>There's a lot to see in town, including the Space Needle and nearby museum (looks like an exploded tin can) and the Chilhuly Glass Museum. The Ballard Locks usually have sea lions and a lot of boats, big and small, passing through.</p>

<p>Inside, there are many museums. I like the Boeing Museum of Flight. Boing also has various factory tours, which require an advanced reservation.</p>

 

[J.W. Wall]

<p>I think you mean Port Townsend, a cool Victorian town, not Port Washington? There's a good park there also, Fort Worden State Park, which includes great views of Admiralty Inlet, the Coast Artillery Museum, old lighthouse, and a marine science center, all well worth seeing. Lots of old Army barracks and other buildings, some restored, and artillery emplacements from over 100 years ago.</p>