San Jose, CA - Where & What to shoot?

magic823 · May 18, 2008

Here in San Jose, CA teaching this week. Looking to get out in the evenings and shoot. What & Where to shoot?

I'll be out of class approx. 4pm each day. Don't mind driving a bit if the shooting is worth it.

Steve

Curt · May 18, 2008

There is a cemetery that is outstanding and the Winchester house is great too, I took a camera on the tour a few years ago and they even waited while I got some very nice shots. Not my usual kind of photography but the place is really cool.

Whatadame · May 18, 2008

magic823 said:
Here in San Jose, CA teaching this week. Looking to get out in the evenings and shoot. What & Where to shoot?

I'll be out of class approx. 4pm each day. Don't mind driving a bit if the shooting is worth it.

Steve

The Rosicrucian Museum has a lovely garden with Egyptian style buildings.

Up in Palo Alto, the Rodin Garden at Stanford is open at night and has good lighting for night shooting...very moody.

The University of Santa Clara has some adobes on campus--old rippled glass, crumbly brick, arcades...quite nice.

k_jupiter · May 18, 2008

Evenings only?

Late day marshlands in Alviso... Old towns in the Santa Cruz mountains... Lower Almaden Valley, Quicksilver Park... The refurbished California Theater... Walking Plazas near Cesar Chavez Square... Walking tour through Naglee Park or Hanchett Park (both areas of fine old Craftsman Houses)... The Rose Garden District with the Rosicrucian Museum and grounds... Guadaloupe River Park...

tim in san jose

magic823 · May 18, 2008

Tim, can you give me more info about some these, like how to get to them.

Thanks

bjorke · May 19, 2008

On Wednesday evening, the South Bay Photo Meetup is having a group crit at the Coffee Society at the Pruneyard Center, famed for the Pruneyard Decision that has affected street photographers ever since.

Whatadame · May 19, 2008

bjorke said:
On Wednesday evening, the South Bay Photo Meetup is having a group crit at the Coffee Society at the Pruneyard Center, famed for the Pruneyard Decision that has affected street photographers ever since.

I thought that the Pruneyard Decision had to do with free speech. Does the bit about the shopping center being like a public street apply to photography?

k_jupiter · May 19, 2008

magic823 said:
Tim, can you give me more info about some these, like how to get to them.

Thanks

Sure. Naglee Park, east side of the Campus of San Jose State Take 280 south to 10th/11th street exit, go north on 11th, turn in anywhere before you get to Santa Clara street. That's Naglee Park. Watch out for parking restrictions.

Hanchett Park, Just on the Southwest corner of Race Street and the Alameda. You will know it when you see it. Beautiful Greene and Greene Craftsman Houses.

Alviso, Take First Street north as far as you can go ( a long way). You will wind up in Alviso. Ask where the old marina is. Lots of old boats, but not as many as there use to be.

Almaden Valley, go south on the Guadaloupe Expressway. Take the Almaden Expressway south till it peters out (about ten miles). Start looking around. Beautiful lakes, old buildings, parks.

Refurbished California Theater, on Second street just south of Original Joes, at San Carlos and Second.

Cesar Chavez Square, downtown san jose! Just south of San Fernando and Market. Lots of good restaurants around there.

Rose Garden District with the Rosicrucian Museum, 880 to Alameda, head east, take the first right (Hedding) go down to the first left (Park). Go about three blocks the museum will be on the left. OR.. take the second major intersection off Alameda (Naglee Street) turn right, the Museum will be on your left. The whole neighborhood is filled with thirties cute as button houses.

Guadaloupe River Park, head west from Cesar Chavez Square on San Fernando, Park, or San Carlos, there are entrances to the park.

tim in san jose

k_jupiter · May 19, 2008

bjorke said:
On Wednesday evening, the South Bay Photo Meetup is having a group crit at the Coffee Society at the Pruneyard Center, famed for the Pruneyard Decision that has affected street photographers ever since.

I certainly think you all ought have it at the Rock Bottom. More intelligent conversation would happen over a pint or two.

tim in san jose

bjorke · May 19, 2008

Whatadame said:
I thought that the Pruneyard Decision had to do with free speech.

Photography is free speech.

magic823 · May 19, 2008

Thanks Tim. I think I'll head out to Aviso tonight. I'm staying at the Crown Plaza just off of 237 so its pretty close.

Bjorke, where is the Pruneyard Center and what time do you meet?

Thanks everyone.

k_jupiter · May 19, 2008

magic823 said:
Thanks Tim. I think I'll head out to Aviso tonight. I'm staying at the Crown Plaza just off of 237 so its pretty close.

Bjorke, where is the Pruneyard Center and what time do you meet?

Thanks everyone.

I have no idea where the Coffee Society is in the Pruneyard (back near the theater?) but to the Pruneyard... Head south on 880. It turns into HWY 17 at 280. Keep going straight towards Santa Cruz. Take the first exit south of 280 (Hamilton Avenue) turn left. Go over the bridge, under and over the railroad tracks. Take a right on Bascom Ave. Go south about 3/8s of a mile, it's on the right. Good luck with parking, easier around the back.

tim (14 years in san jose) in san jose

k_jupiter · May 19, 2008

magic823 said:
Thanks Tim. I think I'll head out to Aviso tonight. I'm staying at the Crown Plaza just off of 237 so its pretty close.

Bjorke, where is the Pruneyard Center and what time do you meet?

Thanks everyone.

Crown Plaza is at 880 and 237? Head west towards Mountain View. Take the 1st street exit turn right. There will be a driving range on your left. Go up to the stop sign (Gold Street). The waterfront and old marina is to your right and ahead of you. I can drive it, I can't describe it. If you see what looks like old canneries and a tall levy that you can walk on, you found it.

tim in san jose

bjorke · May 19, 2008

http://photo.meetup.com/413/calendar/

http://photo.meetup.com/413/calendar/7960463/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruneyard_Shopping_Center

http://www.coffeesociety.com/ (yes, n the back near the movie theatre -- by "back" I mean the side nearer hwy 17)

Jon Shiu · May 19, 2008

Hi, if you like landscape/seascape I recommend a nice state park on the coast called Point Lobos. It is a bit of a drive (esp. at rush hour), but worth it. It is open until 1/2 hour after sunset. At this time of year it is sometimes foggy, sometimes clear.

Jon

bjorke · May 19, 2008

Jon Shiu said:
Hi, if you like landscape/seascape I recommend a nice state park on the coast called Point Lobos.

Also fantastic diving, but it requires some planning (a reservation w/the park) and some commitment to get in

Curt · May 19, 2008

Also fantastic diving, but it requires some planning (a reservation w/the park) and some commitment to get in

When did the Reservation w/the park take effect?

Don12x20 · May 19, 2008

Curt said:
When did the Reservation w/the park take effect?

Don't think they take reservations - has never been the policy in the past and the website makes no mention....only

"When the Reserve is Full
Visitors may wait in line to enter on a one-vehicle out, one-vehicle in basis regardless of previously scheduled walks or prior entrance that day.
"

Don12x20 · May 19, 2008

magic823 said:
Thanks Tim. I think I'll head out to Aviso tonight. I'm staying at the Crown Plaza just off of 237 so its pretty close.

Bjorke, where is the Pruneyard Center and what time do you meet?

Thanks everyone.

Alviso -- check out the former boating area - now reeds due to flood-filling the basin with mud back in the late 1980's. Lots of old buildings nearby being rapidly rebuilt (check the old store at the railroad crossing).

If you get brave - following the railroad across the first bridge to find the former ghost town site of "Drawbridge"....it was a hunting site with interesting buildings. I was last out there in 1977 and there were 5 buildings still standing from this 1910-1920 hunting community. Watch for trains....

bjorke · May 19, 2008

that's what i get for not being a dive master.... yeah, the "reservations" aren't official, just loose coordination on BADiver and through DCOSV. So go for it!

Monophoto · May 19, 2008

Curt said:
When did the Reservation w/the park take effect?

Get there early in the morning - you'll have to wait for the rangers to open the gate, but about the only people who will be there then are photographers, and not many of them (us). BTW, Point Lobos State Park is about one mile south of Carmel on Rt. 1 - about a two hour drive from San Jose.

If you have time, a drive up Mt. Hamilton to the observatory is fun and could be the setting for some fabulous sunset images. But be advised that the road is a very narrow, two-lane affair with no shoulders, and it twists, turns and winds up the side of the mountain in a way that makes the maximum speed (for rational people) about 25mph.

k_jupiter · May 19, 2008

Monophoto said:
Get there early in the morning - you'll have to wait for the rangers to open the gate, but about the only people who will be there then are photographers, and not many of them (us). BTW, Point Lobos State Park is about one mile south of Carmel on Rt. 1 - about a two hour drive from San Jose.

If you have time, a drive up Mt. Hamilton to the observatory is fun and could be the setting for some fabulous sunset images. But be advised that the road is a very narrow, two-lane affair with no shoulders, and it twists, turns and winds up the side of the mountain in a way that makes the maximum speed (for rational people) about 25mph.

The problem with the Mt. Hamilton road is bicyclists. Be careful. About halfway up is a fire station.

The architecture of the observatory is wonderful. It is a hike though. Take 680 to Alum Rock Ave. heading east. Go till you can't go anymore (since they closed off that entrance to the park). Turn right and you are on the road to the observatory.

tim in san jose

k_jupiter · Jun 3, 2008

So how was your week? Shoot anything interesting? Enjoy the area and our great weather? Develop any pitchers? Get mugged?

tim in san jose

magic823 · Jun 3, 2008

It was fine. I was a little disappointed in Alviso since all the boats are gone. I'll be back towards the end of the month.

Steve

San Jose, CA - Where & What to shoot?

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