AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

I am putting together a trip for mid-September of about 3 weeks flying into San Francisco and making a loop up Rt 1 to the Oregon line, then east to Lassen Volcanic NP, down to Tahoe and the gold country, a couple of days to revisit Yosemite, then back to the CA coast below San Simeon and back up through Big Sur, Monerey, and back to SF. I have seen photos of the Cascade area, and Mt. Shasta, but don't know where the photos have been taken. I know some of you know the "hidden gems" and "don't miss" spots, and if you would be kind enough to share them with me, I would appreciate it. Also - is coming out mid-September and staying until the first part of October too late in the season with regard to snow and bad weather? If so, I have not booked my flights yet and made lodging arrangements, so can easily make adjustments to my plan. Please give me your thoughts. Thanks.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Northern California is chock full of wonderful photo opportunity. I'm sure you'll get lots of responses to people's favorite places, but if you would like it fairly complete written Guidebook there is one available on Amazon that is pretty good.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0916189201/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467823319&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=photographing+california&dpPl=1&dpID=51CPPl0xVDL&ref=plSrch

I wouldn't be too concerned about weather at that point in the year. You are generally well ahead of snow. Actually for Northern California October is often one of our best months for nice weather, especially along the coast.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I'll leave it to others to give you the details, but will add that you might want to look at two things -
- Google top places to photograph in (add the city here)
- and try ShotHotspot http://www.shothotspot.com

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

That shothotspot is amazing. It never ceases to amaze me what information I learn from this site. Thank you, thank you.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Always! S-

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Once you get to San Simeon, book a room at the Cambria Pines Inn. Just north of S.S. on Hwy 1 is Pedras Blancas, an Elephant Seal rookery, definitely worth a stop.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Never mind. My error

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I am not sure if this is your first visit out to the west, but as someone who moved from DC out to Oregon, I can tell you that scenery is so beautiful, that you will enjoy the rides TO your destinations as much as where you are going. Don't forget to check out Muir Woods, right outside of SF. Show up early am for some fantastic light.

Enjoy your trip!

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Mendocino and right outside of town, the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse offer some great photo ops. Mendocino is a good meal stop anytime of day and there are many nice places to spend the night.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Don't miss the Redwoods at the northern end of your trip.

From Tahoe you might consider driving down the East side of the mountains to Yosemite. It takes you through a very different and beautiful part of the park.

Depending on your schedule you might consider an excursion a little futher north to Crater Lake. It is a unique place.

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

There are several very good "Photo" guides books that I have that will give you lots of great ideas for your itinerary. These books are all available through Amazon:

Photo Secrets San Francisco and Northern California by Andrew Hudson

Photographing California Vol 1 North a guide to the natural landmarks of the Golden State by Gary Crabbe

Backroads of the California Coast by Karen Misurata and Gary Crabbe

The photographer's guide to the California Coast by Douglas Steakley

Hope that these will give you some good ideas of places to visit along the way. Enjoy your trip!

twillsol Loc: St. Louis, MO

Light house at Point Arena. Lots of places to stop on Hiway 1 to take photos of the ocean and adjoining scenery. Too many to mention here.

backroader Loc: Wherever we park our motorhome

If you are looking for wildlife, check out the Gold Beach area of the Redwoods. It is neat to see and photograph the Roosevelt Elk on the beach and in the forest clearings in the area.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

As others have responded... you'll have many, many, MANY photo opps to choose among! You're covering half the coast of California and some inland destinations, too! That's a whole lot of area with many possible stops or short side trips. The guide books will be helpful about specifics.

Mid-September through early October will be fine for most of your plans. The kids will be back in school so you'll have less "competition" at the more touristy sites. Most of your planned stops, no problem. They are less well-traveled. But you should specifically look at reservations and accessibility for Yosemite. It's one of the busiest national parks, has quite limited access and tends to get booked many months to a year or more in advance. So, be sure to look into what's possible there. Don't just show up, or you might not be able to get in... although you have better chance of doing so in the Fall, than in peak tourist season or over the holidays.

Snow is very unlikely most of the places you mention. The coastal areas almost never see it and don't get very cold. Rain is possible, depending upon how early the season starts. Rain is likely in N. Calif than farther South. Redwoods National Park, along the coast and near the Oregon border, gets a good deal more rainfall every year than the SF Bay area and further south. And even more inland and at higher elevations, we Californians usually don't see serious Winter weather until late November or the beginning of December, at the earliest.

But, you need to be prepared for cooler and wetter conditions along the coast. But more inland it's likely to be very mild and nice that time of year. When I lived in Colorado we used say, "If you don't like the weather, wait a half hour." Here in California we instead say, "If you don't like the weather, drive for half an hour."

alfaman

You'll find this in the guide books but don't miss the Wawona groves in Yosemite. Magnificent large and beautiful trees. Start early to get some great photos. Also the Humboldt groves further north near the California border. Awesome trees. Have a great trip.