jearlwebb

Hello All.
I am sure this has already been covered and probably many times, but I cannot find this topic in Search. I am sure I am doing something wrong!?
I welcome any and all suggestions of great spots for photography along the California Coast from San Francisco to Eureka, and then heading to Happy Camp on the Klamath for some Gold Panning.
Pretty sure I will have greater luck capturing some good photos than gold nuggets but should be fun anyway!
The wealth of knowledge on this site always impresses me and the unselfish willing to help others is commendable.
Heading North on HWY 1 last week of June, 2019.
Appreciate your help!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I would take the time and do a detour to Yosemite.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Camping or motels?

dave.m

If it not too late to rethink direction, travel south :) This means you'll be on the coast side of the road rather than the offside. Surprising what difference the width of a road makes. When we did Hwy 1 S-N we turned around so many times 'just to get a better view', and S-N traffic never interferes with the view either. Also possible to do the whole of Hwy 1 in a day - wonder why it took us 3 days??

jak86094

You will have no problem finding photo opportunities all along the coast highway all the way up to Eureka. Stinson Beach just north of SF is scenic and offers opportunities for wildlife photos, land and seascapes, etc. Then there is the Point Reyes area, including the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse and Visitor Center. This is quite a drive so allow enough time, but it's beautiful coastal countryside through the Point Reyes National Seashore. Just North of that is Tomales Bay. There are numerous redwood forest areas along the coast. There's another lighthouse and marine reserve up at Point Reyes as you move further North. Just off Highway 1 on Highway 128 is Navarro Redwoods State Park where the highway winds through the shadows of the coast redwood forest. As you move inland along Highway 128, you'll reach some historic towns like Boonville, Philo, etc. Further North back on Highway 1 you will reach Mendocino, Fort Bragg, and a number of small hamlets. Mendocino is built on a headlands sticking out into the Pacific. It definitely worth some time, with historic buildings, great restaurants and shopping, and lots of photo opportunities. Russian Gulch and Point Cabrillo come next. I have enjoyed MacKerricher State Marine Conservation Area at Cleone and took some nice shots of beach, driftwood, beautiful ocean and breakers, etc. Highway 1 will turn inland north of there and meet Highway 101 that takes you to Eureka. I haven't spent time in that stretch of the trip, so maybe someone else can fill in things I've missed and the more Northerly section's highlights. Enjoy your trip. You can't go wrong. Just drive and pull over to strike off as the mood directs you.

jak

wayne barnett Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon

do a google search with SF to Eureka and you will get lots of suggestions.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

I did this trip. We were in no hurry and took almost 3 weeks to come back down from Seattle.
Many great point to see. Check with AAA to see if they have a new book.

Bodega Bay, Point Arena Lighthouse, Mendocino.
Fort Bragg - Take the train ride into the redwoods.
Drive through the Redwood tree in Leggett.
Lots of things around Humboldt Bay

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

The farthest North I've traveled on Hwy 1 is to Point Reyes National Seashore. I've been to most points between that and San Diego CA and beyond down into Mexico. I don't go down there any more since I feel it's too dangerous.

Point Reyes is nice to see the Lighthouse, the Tule Elk, and Elephant Seals. Between Point Reyes and Sausalito is a narrow gauge train that you can try and find and there's also a place where these huge banana slugs live. I couldn't find them, but I looked. It was fun to venture around in the deep dark forest there and try to find them. Of course, I wouldn't miss San Francisco or any or all of the bridges there. Many photo ops and restaurants too.

Traveling more south is Ano Nuevo State Park where a lot of Elephant Seals go to breed. Breeding season will be long over by June, but you may see a bunch of them on the beach molting. Then there's the lovely city of Santa Cruz and further south another lovely city Monterey. Be sure to go to the Aquarium there. One of the best in the world. Then a short distance from that is Carmel. You'll see some fine houses with story book roofs that are very photogenic. After that is Big Sur. Another one of California's most popular sites to see with beautiful tall trees and rugged cost line. I believe the highway has finally reopened. A few years ago a large portion of it just a little south of Big Sur had a major land slide and it fell into the ocean. Don't forget to visit San Simeon and Cambria as you drive down past Big Sur and then make a quick stop in Cayocos and see the pier then on into Morro Bay. Then Pismo Beach, Santa Maria and then Santa Barbara.

Sorry I can't provide anything north of Point Reyes.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Spend a day at Napa and take the wine train for a wonderful gourmet food day and visiting some of the many winery's.

jearlwebb

Actually both.
Motels along the coast, camping on the Klamath and then heading southeast and two weeks camping in Yosemite.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Fort Ross. Old Russian fort above Jenner on Hwy 1. It’s an interesting place with a number of good photo ops.

Salt Point State Park. Interesting rock formations near the beach; highly water eroded and with euchre color. Make interesting foreground shooting out toward waves.

Lots of good beaches and coves, sea stacks around the Mendocino area.

The Skunk Train out of Fort Bragg is an enjoyable one day excursion. Takes you back into a scenic redwood forest. A bit commercial, but it will provide many good photo ops.

Glass Beach in fort Bragg is interesting. It was once a public dump. Now it is a beach of sea glass. You can have some real fun here if you have a macro lens or extension tubes!

In Humboldt County, a swing into Ferndale is a nice little detour for lunch and photos of a few nicely restored Victorians. The Gingerbread mansion is worth photographing.

Just north a few miles out of Eureka is Trinidad State Beach. Go to College Cove. More secluded than the main beach. Unlike the main beach, you need to hike down to CC, but the hike down is not too bad unless you have limitations. Much more interesting perspective on the main sea stack from CC.

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bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The outstanding Oregon State campgrounds get a lot of pressure. Get reservations now.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Since you will be in Yosemite at the end of June, the Tioga Pass gate may be open by then. Be sure to get to Mono Lake with its Tufa mounds and don’t forget the ghost mining town of Bodie. Lots of photo ops at both places.

cullumjt Loc: Central Florida

I always look at 500px.com before I go to a new place. There you can see what other photographers have shot in the vicinity. Sometimes I find a good spot that I wasn’t expecting near my destination.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

tripadvisor.com