Newport Beach CA Whale Watching / Joshua Tree: going to head to CA on Christmas Day, for a few days to go out on some whale watching tours; anyone have recommendations as to tours that...

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

going to head to CA on Christmas Day, for a few days to go out on some whale watching tours; anyone have
recommendations as to tours that are good, equipment and/or clothing needed, tips on how to be ready, etc.

then, will head to Palm Desert for a day and go over to Joshua Tree - anyone have some recommendations for shooting over there ?

b top gun

Have you ever been to Joshua Tree, the place has always struck me as being "prehistoric" in its landscapes. Get there early and stay late; sunset affords the shooter all kinds of interesting photo ops. The park has both desert types, Sonoran and Mojave, within its boundaries...and watch for critters like 'yotes and road runners. Be careful the cholla cacti don't get ya!!!

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

b top gun wrote:

Have you ever been to Joshua Tree, the place has always struck me as being "prehistoric" in its landscapes. Get there early and stay late; sunset affords the shooter all kinds of interesting photo ops. The park has both desert types, Sonoran and Mojave, within its boundaries...and watch for critters like 'yotes and road runners. Be careful the cholla cacti don't get ya!!!

Thank you

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Ed Chu wrote:

going to head to CA on Christmas Day, for a few days to go out on some whale watching tours; anyone have
recommendations as to tours that are good, equipment and/or clothing needed, tips on how to be ready, etc.

then, will head to Palm Desert for a day and go over to Joshua Tree - anyone have some recommendations for shooting over there ?

You may want to read this prior to going to Joshua Tree. Gary (Google Joshua Tree np fire)
https://abcnews.go.com/US/california-joshua-trees-severely-burned-massive-wildfire/story?id=102016906
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/18/1194745302/the-effort-to-restore-joshua-trees-after-mojave-wildfire-faces-grim-odds

Machinedoc Loc: Yorktown Heights, NY

If you have time, head to Mt. San Jacinto State Park and take the tram up to the top (dress warmly). Beautiful vistas!

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

gwong1 wrote:

You may want to read this prior to going to Joshua Tree. Gary (Google Joshua Tree np fire)
https://abcnews.go.com/US/california-joshua-trees-severely-burned-massive-wildfire/story?id=102016906
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/18/1194745302/the-effort-to-restore-joshua-trees-after-mojave-wildfire-faces-grim-odds

I knew these fires had occurred, and I thought it might not be worth going to JT; thanks for the update

Old Coot

Ed Chu wrote:

going to head to CA on Christmas Day, for a few days to go out on some whale watching tours; anyone have
recommendations as to tours that are good, equipment and/or clothing needed, tips on how to be ready, etc.

then, will head to Palm Desert for a day and go over to Joshua Tree - anyone have some recommendations for shooting over there ?

Took many Whale watching trips over the years. Never saw a whale but you will almost always see Dolphins close to the ship. Davy Jones Locker in Newport Beach has good trips. Joshua tree NP is a treasure. Well worth the visit and take the tram to the summit of Mt San Jacinto for spectacular views

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

Old Coot wrote:

Took many Whale watching trips over the years. Never saw a whale but you will almost always see Dolphins close to the ship. Davy Jones Locker in Newport Beach has good trips. Joshua tree NP is a treasure. Well worth the visit and take the tram to the summit of Mt San Jacinto for spectacular views

I'm being advised, and have seen articles, that Joshua is not the same after the fires; many are discouraging visits there.