GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I am staying one and a half hours northeast (in Helendale) from LA to visit family. What are the highlights to see and photograph while I’m here? I only brought my Sony a7iii and 24-105/4 Lens with a Nissan flash. We are going to the beach tomorrow (which one is best?).

dhroberts Loc: Boston, MA, USA

Huntington Museum and Gardens in San Marino is a spectacular combination of a number of fabulous gardens with an art museum. Just be sure to get there right at opening time as parking lots fill up quickly on weekends especially.

Look on Trip Advisor for other reviews.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Thank you. That sounds right up my alley!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The hike to the Hollywood sign is something everyone should do as well as the overlook to the city from Griffith Observatory.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I plan on going to Hollywood. Hiking up to the sign sounds ambitious but would net awesome pictures!

I will look into including the Griffith Observatory! Thank you.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Difficult to say which beach is best, but for shear entertainment I would recommend Venice Beach. Should be lots of photo ops there. All the beach towns are very crowded this time of year, the 4th and all, so be prepared to spend some time and money getting a parking spot. Most lots run around $15-$25 for a days parking spot.

Edit:
Get to the beach as early as you can, seriously, it gets extremely crowded this weekend.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Homeless tents and communities on the streets.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Doughnut Derelict's Cars and Coffee, early sat morning 6am to noon. Celebrities show up on occasion and the cars are fantastic to see.

rodpark2 Loc: Dallas, Tx

If you have an appreciation for landscapes Joshua Tree Nat Park is about 1 1/2 hrs drive and one of my favorite places to photograph. The are digital B&W infrared, but color works as well.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

Why?

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

J-Tree is a fantastic area.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

I agree. Go to J-Tree.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

OK. As soon as I started to read your post I was struck by "...one and one half hours northeast from L.A..." [I had to look up Helendale (aka Silver Lakes).] Assuming you mean as the crow flies and at 55 to 65 mph. That mean somewhere in the Mojave Desert and no where near the Pacific Ocean. I'm a native born Californian. To get to the beaches near downtown L.A. you drive West, South-West, South, South-East. From Helendale (near Hwys 365 / 15 / 58) it is a long drive to any (ocean) Beach! For the 4th of July Weekend they all will be crowded.

I'd agree photographically Venice Beach might be interesting for a visitor, being stereotypical Southern Californian, Freaks and all. Personally I prefer Malibu, Dockweiler, Manhattan Beach, Huntington Beach, Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Seal Beach, Santa Monica (pier). The "beach" itself is not the thing, but the ports of San Pedro and Long Beach is interesting photographically. The massive commercial shipping port(s), and museum ships (Queen Mary, USS Iowa), Aquarium of the Pacific. Further south in Orange County there is Dana Point, Newport, Corona del Mar State Beach and The Wedge.

What made you think of driving all the way to the Beaches when you are in the desert visiting already? I would suggest a number of interesting and most not likely so crowded in early July closer time wise to Helendale. The Joshua Tree NP should be obvious. Other cooler places might be Wrightwood (a skiing destination during Winter months, Big Bear Lake (Hwy 138, San Bernardino Mountains), Vasquez Rocks L.A. Co. Park (Check to see when open, off Hwy 14). Interesting yet deserted though warm places might be the Devil's Punch Bowl (off Hwy 138); and Trona Pinnacles and Searles (Salt) Lake (I-395, Hwy 178); also Red Rock Canyon State Park (via Hwy 58 or 395 to Hwy 14); or for a longer ride but you might cool off slightly, Lone Pine / Alabama Hills / Mount Whitney Portal (Hwy 395). There is a nice Movie Museum in Lone Pine. The Alabama Hills can look un-earthlike for many Films, TV shows, and Car Commercials. And the Whitney Portal will get you some 8,374 feet above sea level.

I agree, the Huntington Library, Art Galleries, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino is special. Another favorite in the San Gabriel Valley is the L.A. Co. Arboretum in Arcadia, CA

Enjoy your visit to CA.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

He is being sarcastic.

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

If you have ever seen in antics in the Attic, you would know why. He is trying to pollute a serious question with his political agenda. He is making a political statement, not offering touring advice.