jdub82 Loc: Northern California

I happen to live within about an hour of the entrance to Yosemite, and I disagree about this being too late for the high country. We have only had one moderate storm this year so far, and all the mountain passes are clear and open. The National Parks (Yosemite, King's Canyon and Sequoia) are NOT crowded this time of year, and it is a great time to visit them with fall colors, etc. The waterfall in Yosemite are barely a trickle right now, but other than that, it is a beautiful time to explore Yosemite. After November 1st, there is a chance the higher passes, to Glacier Point and Tioga Pass may be closed due to snow. Often they are open until late November. Even so, Yosemite Valley is open and accessible. The Southern entrance to Yosemite (Highway 41 through Oakhurst) is open year round, as is Hwy. from the West 120 through Groveland. The Hwy. 140 Route through Mariposa is subject to closure from mudslides, but not from snow. King's Canyon is also beautiful this time of year. As for National Parks being expensive??? If you are a senior, an annual senior pass for entrance to all the National Parks is just $20.00. (A lifetime senior pass is $80.00 and good at all Nations Parks) A pass for anyone who has a disability placard is free.

srt101fan

Sounds like you are primarily interested in areas outside San Francisco. But if you're also spending time in the city, you might consider taking your camera on a guided walking tour. We've used "San Francisco City Guides" and are very fond of their tours. They are free, but donations are appreciated.

Rhinophoto Loc: Davis, CA

Since you mention wildlife photography as an interest, you may want to consider the Central Valley. There is a string of National and State Wildlife Refuges in the Valley which are destinations for waterfowl, raptors, cranes, and other birds during the Winter. Whether it would be worth your time depends on your interest and how soon you will be arriving. The refuges are being flooded now and birds are arriving, but the best viewing won't begin for perhaps a month. Sacramento NWR and Gray Lodge in the Northern part of the Valley and Merced in the Southern part are a few to consider.

Have a great stay!

Mike

Bfree2 Loc: Grants Pass, Or

So many places, and so many suggestions, and all valid. If your going to be based in San Francisco or venture to other areas, youropportunities are numerous. Right across the G.G.Bridge down to the right is Fort Baker. There you can explore the old grounds, and get an awesome view from under the bridge that many forget about. I am now in Oregon, but my favorite location when it lived in Marin was the coast starting just north of the ‘Gate’. The town of Point Reyes, lots of history. The Point Reyes National seashore. Here you can find oyster farms, the site of the epicenter of the 1906 earthquake, and the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Then north of Point Reyes there is Tomales Bay, which has many photo opps. Not to forget the small berg of Marshall where there is a food stand overlooking Tomales, that had the best BBQ oysters, and clam chowder. This location is a short drive north, and would be an easy day trip. Where ever you go, take extra fully charged batteries and cards for the camera because you will use them up. Enjoy the journey.

Ted de Castro

About 4 1/2 hours north is an old gold mining town called Weaverville nestled in the Trinity Alps. Lots of wild areas and trails and lots of wildlife - including Bald Eagles around Trinity Lake. Some of the wildlife can be a bit daunting as mountain lions and bears are common - so take care and be aware.

Find their local newpaper online - the Trinity Journal to get a bit of the flavor of the area.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

I lived in San Jose, CA for 24 years and I have photographed all the areas from Napa and Sonoma valleys to Big Sur. By far the most scenic and photographic are Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur. Check out the Moss Landing area on Hwy. 1. From San Francisco to areas in the south Bay take Hwy. 1 out of San Francisco south. You will pass a myriad of photographic sites all the way to Monterey. This trek is very far and you may have to spend a night in Santa Cruz Aptos.

phv Loc: Goleta, California

My favorites are the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin headlands. Just drive to Sausalito and take the winding road up towards the headlands (right as you get off the bridge).....the views of the bridge from above are fabulous. And I wouldn’t miss the Big Sur Area. It’s mesmerizing.....you really can’t go wrong!

xamier Loc: Citronelle, Alabama

Nevada City, in the gold country, Sutters Mill, Malakoff Digging, state park, Donner Pass and the lone grave, (along Hwy 49) . If you like small mountain towns, Strawberry, Rough and Ready, Smartsville, Timbuktu.... if you like spectacular scenery take Hwy 49 from Sacramento (stop by old Sacramento and see Sutters Fort ) all the way to Lake Tahoe. (I grew up in N. CA ) San Francisco is wonderful and stop by Berkley or head to Benicia or Santa Cruz . Lots to see.

hawleyrw Loc: Dayton, OH

Whenever in that part of the country I try and head up towards the redwoods. But, with your timeline you won’t have time to go where I would probably go up through Richardsons Grove and Humbolt. Another great alternative is to travel from San Francisco up Highway one checking out Point Reyes National Seashore and Bodega Bay (filming location of Hitchcock‘s “The Birds“). Also, if you can try and hit it towards sunset as you can get some really beautiful shots of sunset off of the Pacific also, if you can try and hit it towards sunset as you can get some really beautiful shots of sunset off of the Pacific.
Most of all, have fun!

elent

SF is NOT northern California!!! Say ussin' in the know. Humboldt county is Northern California. Seriously though, the Redwoods, Fern Canyon, beachs with NO footprints but yours, and the tourists are gone. Picture challenge would be to capture a 200 foot plus redwood without ha ing to backup to Fresno. Enjoy your vacation. I used to street shoot in SF until prices got insane.

Jerry1940 Loc: Born in OH live in CA

I always take my guests to Fort Baker. Just across the Golden Gate bridge from SF. While in the area checkout Muir Woods Near Mill valley Hwy 101.

johnt56942

Hello I grew up in the bay area. Every body does the usual shots what I have seen as suggestions is what every body and there mother takes. Pictures of the bridge and so on. Nothing against those if you want something different this is what you do. You go on line and search backpacking reviews. You do not have to backpack. You will find wonderful locations. You can read the ones that interest you and find exactly what you want
Have a great time

hawleyrw Loc: Dayton, OH

I had the chance a few years ago to drive (stopping all along the way) First out to Yosemite (my Personal favorite) then back to SF up 1 then 101 up through Redwood National and State Oark, Richardsons Grove, Stout Grove, Humbolt County, finally making my way my up to Crater Lake in OR. Beautiful trip.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Hwy 1 - Coast highway as far as you want to go. Bodega Bay, Sea Ranch and if you really want to push it Lost Coast and the Redwoods. You can't go wrong.

Bipod

Since San Jose came up, there is an interesting hitorical site about 30 minutes south of
the city, in New Almaden: the site of the New Almaden mercury mine, now a park
with a small museum. Some wildlife, perhaps, but great old mine buildings and
trails--mostly up and down hills. The mining started in Spanish colonial days
and continued until after 1927, to a maximum depth of 1800 ft. Miners encountered
flooding, boiling geothermal water and CO2 gas.
http://www.newalmaden.org/AQSPark/newalmmus.html

On the subject of mining: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch
(near the Sacremento Delta) has got to be the most unusual preserve in the country
the visitor's center is 200 ft underground! It's located in an old sand mine that once
fed the Hazel-Atlas glass works in Oakland. Mine tours cost $5/person and are
offered on weekends March - Novermber. Surrounding it are numerous coal mines
hand-dug by Cornish miners beginning in the 1860s. The entire area is rolling hills
with scattered oaks and good views of Mt. Diablo. (Other than the Black Diamond
preserve, Antioch is a place to avoid: high crime.)
https://www.ebparks.org/parks/black_diamond/

This site lists 5 historic gold mines in California with surface tours:
https://sacramentokids.net/2012/02/22/five-historic-sierra-gold-mines-worth-a-visit/
1. Marshall Gold Discovery SHP & Sutter’s Mill -- Hwy 49 between Placerville & Auburn
The spot where the Gold Rush began.
2. Columbia State Historic Park -- Columbia, CA
3. Empire Gold Mine -- Grass Valley, CA
4.Gold Bug Mine -- Hangtown. CA
5. Kennedy Gold Mine -- Jackson. CA
367 miles of abandoned and flooded tunnels.