Visiting San Diego - help needed

[rjkkap]

Hi all
I will be visiting SD for a conference mid-November and may have a couple of days free to shoot. Thinking about Anza-Borrego state park but need guidance on locations within that area - or should I be planning to go to another location???

Any ideas gratefully received

Best
Richard

 

[blaze-on]

Start here:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638

 

[Jim Noel]

The Salton Sea is about 2 hours away.

 

[Derek Lofgreen]

San Diego has a lot of places to shoot. Anza-Borrego is quite a drive from downtown if that is where your conference is. I would suggest looking at the Point Loma Light house (http://www.nps.gov/archive/cabr/lighthouse.html), San Diego Mission (http://www.thecaliforniamissions.com/sandiego/sandiego.html and http://www.missionsandiego.com/), Torry Pines State Beach (http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=658), or Balboa Park (http://www.balboapark.org/). All are within a cab ride from downtown or a very short drive in a rental car. Enjoy.

D.

 

[rjkkap]

Many thanks for the suggestions so far - keep them coming!

I like the look of a couple of the locations that are closer to downtown than Anza-Borrega - but, I'm coming in from London - and for the first 2/3 days that means I'm usually awake at around 4am, so if I get my act together I could make a slightly longer trip...

I'll have a rental car.

Any recomendations as to where I can get 6x6 and 5x4 E6 processing done in SD?

Thanks again
Richard

 

[Sparky]

Also recommend Painted Canyon in the mecca hills - kinda neat - gets incredibly narrow to get through - PRAY there's no earthquake...!!

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q...78,-116.011677&spn=0.126369,0.129261&t=k&z=13

http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/joshuatree/html/thumbsPC.htm
(stereo views - no, you're not losing your eyesight and your monitor's not on the fritz!)

http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2006/06/ladder_canyon.html

 

[Gadfly_71]

Richard,

The problem you may run into with Anza-Borrego is access. Many of the best places to shoot are difficult to get to without some serious hiking or the use of a 4X4 with plenty of ground clearance.

Jim's suggestion of the Salton Sea is a good one, with the added benefit that Salvation Mountain (http://www.salvationmountain.us/) isn't too far from there. You might also consider a drive to Palomar Observatory, Cuyumaca State Park or Mount Laguna.

If you're into street photography, a quick trolley ride can take you to the border crossing and gets you access to Tijuana, Mexico (busiest border crossing on the planet). The oft photographed Balboa Park is right near the heart of Downtown and has a really nifty cactus garden that many folks strangely ignore.

If you need E-6 processing, I believe that Chrome (http://chromedigital.com/e6.html) can do what you need.

Hope this helps...

Regards,
Andrew

 

[Derek Lofgreen]

Mesa Photo has been there for years Dead Link Removed and there is a Calumet in Escondido (North County San Diego)

 

[Derek Lofgreen]

If you like to shoot at night. The convention center is a cool building to shoot at night. And there are some shipping ports running 24-7 just south of the convention center. You can shoot from accross the water close to the convention center. There is also Palomar Mountain state park (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=637) there is an observatory at the top (http://www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/).

D.

 

[DBP]

I would add the Gaslamp quarter for its architecture and the waterfront for ships.

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

Gaslamp area is fairly touristy now, and still lots of cranes for construction. If you will be at the convention centre, then you might want to escape downtown a little . . . at least for photography. Little Italy area is just a short trolley ride away (Blue line), and actually quite nice for casual photography. You can find Nelson's Photo Supply on India Street for getting more film, and a few blocks north on Kettner is Chrome. I have been using Chrome for 94% of my film developing for over ten years, starting when I was still in college . . . highly recommended, and fast turnaround on E-6. If you are shooting B/W films, I recommend Gaslamp Photo on Market Street between 4th and 5th; a short walk from the Convention Centre.

Coronado provides the best views of downtown skyline, especially if you want to do some night shots. This area is also where the Hotel Del is located, and one of the nicest beaches in the area, even in November.

Traffic sucks during rush hour on weekdays, so going north along the coast, or east in the afternoon is tough. If you do venture out into the mountains, or towards the desert, then leave in the morning and come back later in the day. The roads near Alpine and Pine Valley will provide many interesting photo opportunities, if you like wilderness photography. Julian is a bit more touristy, though still interesting to visit.

If you get a chance to browse the area on Google Earth, you might get a better feel of where to go. It is a somewhat mountainous area with many canyons, and some interesting lighting and photography choices.

If you venture to Balboa Park, there are some museums free on Tuesdays, though prices on other days are quite reasonable. The Japanese Friendship Garden is quite nice to visit. You might also want to venture through MOPA, the Museum Of Photographic Arts. With little rain this year, unfortunately the flower gardens are not that great in the park, though there is a nice desert area at the edge of the park, and some interesting architecture.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio

 

[Scott-S]

Hi Richard-
Border Field State Park-only 10 minutes drive from downtown.
Laguna Mountains-45 minute drive
Balboa Park-Close to downtown
Tijuana Mex-Walk across the border for the day
Pt. Loma- Sunset Cliffs

 

[Shmoo]

If there isn't any haze, I'd go to the Pt. Loma lighthouse and shoot back at San Diego...phenomenal view of the entire city and bay.

 

[rjkkap]

Thanks

Many thanks to you all.
I am travelling at the end of this week and will certainly be using some of your tips.

Who knows, I might even post a picture or 2 here when I get back

Best
Richard

 

[Shmoo]

The weather got chilly this weekend, highs in the 60's. It's been cloudy/foggy/overcast in the AM, sometimes clearing inland, but not at the beach. This is typical weather for this time of year, though. Hope you enjoy your time here!