Bumtree Loc: South Florida

Looking for some good spots for photography, going for work, I will only have a couple of days off. Thank you

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

You are minutes away from the largest wetlands reserve project, east, north and south.

https://baynature.org/articles/baylands-access/#sanfrancisco

San Francisco is 20 minutes north and all the well known sites to see and photograph there. Go west to the coast 30 minutes or so, and visit Half moon Bay, or go up highway one to SF and see the beauty of the coastline on the way.

Depending on how far you want to drive, Monterey, Big Sur, Santa Cruz are all points south worth the visit.

P7049 Loc: Madison, WI

That's the airport, easy in and out.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

San Bruno!?!?!
Bummer, you poor unlucky devil, my condolences!! :lol: Why didn't they at least send you to Burlingame!!! LoL even harder!
Oh well, if you must!
First, go have a cinnamon roll at the Rolling Pin!
Then look on your gps and find the National Cemetary, might get a few good shots
Next get the hell outa there and do some real shooting!!!! :lol: :lol:
SS
PS: A shot I've always wanted to do is climb on top of one of the crash walls and get a pic of a plane landing with the smoke coming of the wheels!! Might try that one...., then get the hell outa there! LoL

wandering stranger Loc: Right now Vail, AZ

Try the Chrystal Spring area the hiking trail is easy, the the termination of the Via duct and Water temple, the salt marshes, down out side Fremont and Palo Alto can be of interest, or just driving any of the small road dropping off Skyline Highway down toward the coast are full of opportunities.

wandering stranger Loc: Right now Vail, AZ

Try the Chrystal Spring area the hiking trail is easy, the the termination of the Via duct and Water temple, the salt marshes, down out side Fremont and Palo Alto can be of interest, or just driving any of the small road dropping off Skyline Highway down toward the coast are full of opportunities.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Bumtree,

Since you will only have a couple of days off, and may not be familiar with the SF Bay Area consider this opportunity:

Day 1: Visit Chinatown in the morning, then Fisherman's Wharf. From Fisherman's Wharf drive West toward the Bridge on Marin Dr. to get pictures of the Bay and Bridge. For the evening, before sunset go out to Battery Park/Baker Beach and photo the Golden Gate Bridge from underneath spanning the bay to Marin County. At low tide you can clamber over the rocks to get a nice perch.

Day 2. Morning explore Golden Gate Park, in the early afternoon (12:30) travel across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County, at the second exit, exit right, then turn to drive under US 101, follow the road to Gonzelman Rd. Follow the road all the way to the top (take mental notes of potential photo sites at road turnouts on the way down the mountain). (At one of these turnouts you will be able to capture San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the famous island in the middle of the Bay, Alcatraz.) The first turnout with a parking lot is the famous bridge to SF shot. Continue following the paved road to the top where it will split into a "Y", take the left fork all the way out to Bonita Point Lighthouse. You will have to park and then walk to the lighthouse, but the scenic pictures of the white lighthouse against the Great Pacific Blue Ocean cannot be beat.

On your return trip to the Bridge stop at some of the turnouts to photo the Bay inlet and San Francisco. When you wind down the mountain you will begin to see glimpses of the bridge, be prepared to stop at turnouts. You will want to time your route down the mountain so you reach the very first turnout and parking lot to capture the bridge/San Francisco at sundown.

Your trip is not over yet, it should be a few minutes after sundown, return to US 101 and head North, you will want to exit at Sausalito and follow the seaside road to the harbor. You might want to drive past the harbor to find some nice dockside restaurants floating on the bay for an enchanting evening dinner.

Michael G

Golden Gate from Marine

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

This of year, the Elephant Seals are at Ano Nuevo Beach, 20 miles north of Santa Cruz. This is the time of year that the big bulls guard their harems and the babies are nursing. They are nursed for only 28 days and then mama leaves.

You are supposed to sign up for the guided tours in advance using their web site, but if you show up, they can likely fit you in.

skingfong Loc: Sacramento

If you get a chance, go to Treasure Island. You can get some great shots of the Bay Bridge and a great Cityscape of San Francisco. My favorite time to go is after dark to catch the bridge and city lights. Here are a a few samples.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-236306-1.html

Bumtree Loc: South Florida

Thank you very much for the detailed information,

forjava Loc: Half Moon Bay, CA

Consider Half Moon Bay.
Try Cowell Park beach.
Seal colony, long lens.
Shoot down from cliffs at any killer whales looking for a snack (shorter lens).
Beach scape, cove, cliffs, sea life in tide pools
Golden hours

forjava Loc: Half Moon Bay, CA

For extensive formal gardens with hundreds of different plants, visit
Filoli, near HMB; I was just there. Photographers welcome.

I have an archived UHH post covering where to eat if you go to/near HMB.

As for San Bruno, the very easiest is a trip to the grave of Wyatt Earp in Colma. I have an archived UHH post with a little-known photography story about Earp, btW, as told by me according to the history.

forjava Loc: Half Moon Bay, CA

For redwood forest cathedrals, filtered light, running water, flat or vertical hikes, http://alltrails.com/trail/us/california/purisima-creek-redwoods-whittemore-gulch-trail-harkins-ridge-trail
Some info is wrong in the link: Harkins is dry, 2/3 vertical, 2.2 miles, 1,500 feet up; Whittemore is similar and wet-green. Park entrance from HMB has a flat trail. Redwood cathedral is at its peak in first mile of Harkins. Dogs forbidden. I'm a decades-long regular there.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Not to mention the wine country. The fields are gorgeous. We've had a mild winter and a fair amount of rain so they are greener than they would normally be right now.

Also the coast road up through Bodega and beyond. Pt. Reyes and the lighthouse. In SF there are the Palace of Fine Arts. Some nice photo subjects. I think the dancing lights are back on the Bay Bridge. The sutro baths are also interesting.

BTW, the wineries in the Sonoma area are much more friendly. They often don't charge a tasting fee or it is set low and free if you buy. In Napa, it is treated as a revenue stream and often $20 for a few sips.

Bumtree Loc: South Florida

Thanks I have got some great ideas for places, from the list everybody has been so nice to take there time to share some of there favorite spots. . Thank you. .