West coast photo trip: Hello fellow hedgehog’s! I’ve been reading posts for the past year but this is my first post. I’m going on a road trip down the west coast from Astoria...

Virgilsviews

Hello fellow hedgehog’s! I’ve been reading posts for the past year but this is my first post. I’m going on a road trip down the west coast from Astoria Washington to Yosemite N. P. Any suggestions on what not to miss or a blog or website I can turn to for help? I want to take landscape pictures. Thanks in advance for your help!

Unclehoss

My best reply for starting in Astoria and going south is just to stick to the coast and stop every where the scenery catches your eye. Way to many things to list.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Be careful to look for Astoria in Oregon, not Washington!

We've done that trip many times. If there is a trick to it, it is to find the scenic pullouts and the side roads to the beach. Dodge the rain drops, look for the changes in light and take your time. The entire Oregon beach is public land.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Virgilsviews wrote:

Hello fellow hedgehog’s! I’ve been reading posts for the past year but this is my first post. I’m going on a road trip down the west coast from Astoria Washington to Yosemite N. P. Any suggestions on what not to miss or a blog or website I can turn to for help? I want to take landscape pictures. Thanks in advance for your help!

Welcome to the forum. One MUST for me would be Cannon Beach.

https://www.cannonbeach.org

Virgilsviews

Thanks - I’ll be sure to put that in my itinerary.

Virgilsviews

Good advice - thanks

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

The sand dunes just south of Florence Oregon (half way between Newport and Coos Bay offers some interesting landscape photography. Good access at Jesse Honeyman Memorial State Park.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Virgilsviews wrote:

Hello fellow hedgehog’s! I’ve been reading posts for the past year but this is my first post. I’m going on a road trip down the west coast from Astoria Washington to Yosemite N. P. Any suggestions on what not to miss or a blog or website I can turn to for help? I want to take landscape pictures. Thanks in advance for your help!

Just back from Yosemite. Sorry, can’t recommend it any more. Crowds!

But northern CA and giant redwoods are awesome! Take 1 as much as you can. Point Reyes gets great reviews but I have saved for next time.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Unclehoss wrote:

My best reply for starting in Astoria and going south is just to stick to the coast and stop every where the scenery catches your eye. Way to many things to list.

The restored Lewis and Clark winter fort near Astoria is interesting.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The seals that hang out under the glass floor at Buoy Beer in Astoria are a lot of fun. Beer is good too.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

IDguy wrote:

Just back from Yosemite. Sorry, can’t recommend it any more. Crowds!

But northern CA and giant redwoods are awesome! Take 1 as much as you can. Point Reyes gets great reviews but I have saved for next time.

Yosemite was likely crowded for you because of Spring Break, as well as a huge snowpack (and snow melt) which is producing higher than average waterfalls for April. Typically the crowds are the worst in Yosemite in the summer months, anytime between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I recommend going during the week, if the OP will be visiting Yosemite during late April or in May this year. Avoid the weekends, and it shouldn't be too crowded.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

jdub82 wrote:

Yosemite was likely crowded for you because of Spring Break, as well as a huge snowpack (and snow melt) which is producing higher than average waterfalls for April. Typically the crowds are the worst in Yosemite in the summer months, anytime between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I recommend going during the week, if the OP will be visiting Yosemite during late April or in May this year. Avoid the weekends, and it shouldn't be too crowded.

Yes. I went during the week, but Easter break may have exacerbated the crowds.

There is a major issue on the main access road to the valley as well. Road wiped out for several miles. Better to take 41.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Stick with the coastal route. Stop at the scenic lookouts and take your time.

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

If you can tie Point Lobos into the trip you will be very happy that you did.
Gorgeous State Park near Carmel.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

Be sure to check out The Brandon coastline in Oregon.