I'm an amateur photographer who lives in San Jose, CA and I was wondering if anyone knows of any attractive places that aren't too far from my area to go for a shoot.
Does anyone have any favorite parks, historic buildings, shopping plazas, beaches, etc.? I'm pretty much open to anything and would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance!
2007-12-06 10:28:17 · 6 answers · asked by violenceofthelines 3 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ San Jose
the Marin headlands over looking the golden gate bridge, always a good place.
2007-12-06 10:32:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on what you want to shoot. What I find when I head out with my camera is that it doesn't really matter where I am. I can just walk around looking, and inevitably I will find something interesting to shoot. If I were short of ideas, I would check out local areas on flickr to see where pros go or even join a meetup group. For fun, you might even try a geo-caching site.
But if you are looking for specific places to get away to . . . Big Sur, Santa Cruz (don't forget Capitola/Soquel) & Carmel are all fairly close to San Jose.
In San Jose, itself, the Rosicrucian museum has some nice outside grounds, as does the Rosegarden. There is also a neat cemetery over off of Stevens Creek Blvd. It depends on what you want to photograph! The new city hall has some interesting architecture if you are looking to do something abstract.
Big Sur and Carmel Valley have stunning natural scenery. Carmel has wonderful galleries and shops, as well as interesting people. It also has the Comstock fairytale houses!
Santa Cruz, has historical buildings, mountains, beaches, natural bridges, wildlife and very interesting people. Bonny Doon is a fantastic place to shoot. Just go up to UCSC and do some of the hikes through the redwoods. Monterey is another cool place to go. Activity at Cannery Row can be very fun to photograph. You can get some great fog shots in this area, as well.
Capitola is quaint and very european looking. The Esplanade is colorful as are the people. There are several interesting railroad trestles and lakes/streams nearby, as well. Plenty of wildlife too.
Soquel is charming for its antique villages. Ben Lomond is another great little town. Saratoga is great for its vineyards and Castle Rock.
Mt. Hamilton and Alum Rock Park are also nice places. Look up botanical gardens in the area. Another fun place to go would be the BanFante Gardens amusement park in Gilroy. If you are into geology, check out the nearby Pinnacles national monument.
Oooh and.. Check out lighthouses... Pigeon Point is not far away. Skokeman is right.. we've got some amazing waves over here, right now.
Also I agree with the others regarding Marin headlands and Sausalito.. There is a road called Panoramic Highway up there which is pretty amazing. The road just on the other side of the gold gate leading up to the old fort and down to stinson beach is also very cool. I'd even venture further north toward mendocino.
*chuckles think that might be enough? I can get carried away with travel and a camera!
2007-12-06 10:34:55 · answer #2 · answered by ♪ 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Try going up Quimby road. You get some GREAT shots of the whole bay area and downtown San Jose. If you follow it all the way up, you get to Mt Hamilton. More great shots up there.
Golden Gate park is OK too.
I miss the sunrises and sunsets there. I have some spectacular shots of them.
You can also go up Hwy. 1 for some great photos or down to Monterey. 10 mile road? is a great place for some up close shots of wildlife.
2007-12-06 10:35:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Take Highway 1 up to the Cliff House in S.F. You can start snapping pictures in Pacifica. After you leave the Cliff House, stay on that road until you hit 25 Ave. Follow that road until you pass Lake St., and you will see the entrance to Baker Beach (best view of GG Bridge). After that go over the GG Bridge to Sausalito. Upon your return, there are many panoramic venues for you to shoot. There are too many scenic venues in SF to name here. Good Shooting!
2007-12-06 10:36:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do the coastal run of 1 and you will not believe the shots right now would be a good time the storm is cranking some awesome waves.
2007-12-06 10:37:12 · answer #5 · answered by scokeman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hope it's not a nudist colony and they take a couple of Charles Dickens books to read They may have Great Expectations but end up with a Little Dorrit and they may be underdeveloped or over exposed and need to watch when they go for a flash.. i think i've run out of crap jokes now ? : )
2016-04-07 22:23:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋