Monterey Peninsula

[MarkBarbieri]

We're heading to the coast for spring break in a couple of weeks. We'll be spending a week out on the Monterey Peninsula (Pacific Grove, Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach) and the surrounding areas (Big Sur, Point Lobos, Carmel Valley). Any suggestions for photo ops? Family activities (5 & 8 year old boys)?

Master Mason (or anyone else in the area) interested in getting together for a little shooting?

 

[Master Mason]

We're heading to the coast for spring break in a couple of weeks. We'll be spending a week out on the Monterey Peninsula (Pacific Grove, Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach) and the surrounding areas (Big Sur, Point Lobos, Carmel Valley). Any suggestions for photo ops? Family activities (5 & 8 year old boys)?

Master Mason (or anyone else in the area) interested in getting together for a little shooting?

Yes absolutely on the meet to do some shooting.

As for OP's, pretty much anywhere the land meets the water. Canery Row in Montery, the aquarium, 17 mile drive, the entire drive to big sur, but especially their is a bridge that is very cool. Cyprus Point is the classic Montery picture. Lots of places in the city of carmel. Find a place where the divers are coming and going, that is always pretty interesting.

 

[dfontaine]

I will also be vacationing in Monterey (and San Francisco) in mid-April.

Master Mason - thanks for the suggestions.

Mark – I recently came across a recommendation in a travel book for the Elkhorn Slough Safari. I found some information here: http://www.elkhornslough.com/index.html I am still researching but it looks like there may be some good photo ops.

Has anyone done this tour or one of the whale watching tours offered in Monterey? Also, any hotel suggestions for Monterey?

Thanks.

 

[Master Mason]

I will also be vacationing in Monterey (and San Francisco) in mid-April.

Master Mason - thanks for the suggestions.

Mark – I recently came across a recommendation in a travel book for the Elkhorn Slough Safari. I found some information here: http://www.elkhornslough.com/index.html I am still researching but it looks like there may be some good photo ops.

Has anyone done this tour or one of the whale watching tours offered in Monterey? Also, any hotel suggestions for Monterey?

Thanks.

San Francisco opens up a lot more photo ops, your going to have to choose what you want to do there. The whole warf area, alcatraz, angel island, the golden gate, the fort under the bridge, the presidio, art museums, downtown areas etc....

I know very little about the hotels in Montery since it is so close I never stay there. I do know it can be very very pricey though.

 

[dfontaine]

San Francisco opens up a lot more photo ops, your going to have to choose what you want to do there. The whole warf area, alcatraz, angel island, the golden gate, the fort under the bridge, the presidio, art museums, downtown areas etc....

I know very little about the hotels in Montery since it is so close I never stay there. I do know it can be very very pricey though.

Yes, it is a bit overwhelming! I didn’t even mention that we are also heading to San Diego as part of this trip so there will be tons to see and do. I plan to just target a few key things in each city (San Francisco, Monterey, and San Diego) and then try to be somewhat spontaneous.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I will also be vacationing in Monterey (and San Francisco) in mid-April.

Master Mason - thanks for the suggestions.

Mark – I recently came across a recommendation in a travel book for the Elkhorn Slough Safari. I found some information here: http://www.elkhornslough.com/index.html I am still researching but it looks like there may be some good photo ops.

Has anyone done this tour or one of the whale watching tours offered in Monterey? Also, any hotel suggestions for Monterey?

Thanks.

I've been to the area many times in the past. I've considered Elkhorn Slough, but we've never done it. Maybe this year.

We did a whale watching boat back in '03. It was OK, but I'm not likely to do it again soon. It's a lot of money to see some big fish (that aren't even really fish).

I can't help with hotels either. We stay with my parents, who rent a house while they are out there. I do know that, if you don't have kids, their are a some beautiful victorian bed and breakfasts in Pacific Grove that look great. I think the prettiest is called something like Seven Gables. It doesn't look like the sort of place that let's people like my family in.

If you're willing to sit through a bunch of family vacation pictures, you might get some ideas for things to do by looking at my old vacation slideshows. I have them for February 2003, March 2004, March 2005, and March 2006. You can see the individual pictures on my Smugmug site.

Despite having been there several times, we still find intereseting new things with each trip (which is why I was asking here).

My photo goals for this trip are:

1) Get a shot that better captures the size of the giant redwood trees at Big Sur

2) Get better "surreal" long exposure shots of the waves on the rocks.

3) Lots of macros - flowers, shells, and other beach stuff.

Some things I'm hoping for but not expecting:

1) Finally get a good sea otter shot.

2) Take a shot that adequately captures the beauty of the hidden beach at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

 

[boBQuincy]

Green Gables in Pacific Grove is a *very * nice place to stay. It is our first choice for the Monterey area.
http://www.greengablesinnpg.com/

It's a Four Sisters Inn, all of which have been just wonderful (we have stayed at four of them).

One photo op which wasn't mentioned so far is Laguna Seca racetrack, maybe 20 minutes from Monterey. If there's any action when you are there be sure to get some photos of cars (or bikes) in "the corkscrew", one of the scariest pieces of pavement anywhere.

A little further up the coast (near Santa Cruz) is Henry Cowell State Park and Roaring Camp, with tall redwoods and a real nice old time railroad town.
http://www.suzieandbob.com/caldream03/sa/04_roaring_camp.htm

http://www.suzieandbob.com/caldream03/sa/05_cowell.htm

 

[dfontaine]

Mark – I checked out some of your vacation pics from past years. Thanks for sharing – it was helpful. Also, very nice shots!

Bob – thanks for the hotel suggestion.

 

[bostran1]

1) Get a shot that better captures the size of the giant redwood trees at Big Sur

Sounds like a job for a wide angel lens. Enjoy the trip!

 

[duckyislost]

Hi! a few suggestions-

Unfortunately the monarch butterflies will probably be gone by now, that is one of our favorite things to see.

North of Monterey there are huge sand dunes and often hang gliders spiraling.

If you've been before you know the whole area is just lousy with deer. On 17 mile drive we have watched some interesting standoffs between duffers and deer on the fairways, particularly Spyglass.

We also like the ground squirrels in the rocks at the first couple of ocean view parking areas on 17 mile drive. They are cute and curious, although the same agenda as pigeons and seagulls.

SF -I like the drive from the Palace of the Legion of Honor to the Presidio. The PLH has a replica of The Thinker in the courtyard, no fee to have a look. There is a great overlook of the GG bridge and Baker beach just before the end of the Lincoln Park golf course. The Marin Headlands, Sausalito, Tiburon, and Angel Island are also favs. Powell & Hyde cable car. Feral parrots near Coit tower and Mission Dolores park.

Rare sighting - we saw some activity up at the overlook on twin peaks and went up to investigate. Goats-R-Us was up there with a flock of goats and a couple of border collies chewing off the scrub brush. That was fun to see!

Enjoy your trip! ducky

 

[deletedpenguin]

I would have loved to have met up with you guys if I was still living in the Bay Area. Unfortunately this pesky thing called the Pacific Ocean is in the way now. Have fun though!

Another thought if you're down in the area, is the Laguna Seca raceway. If there's a race on, it stands to be, in my opinion, one of the best venues for raceway shooting. Of course, it doesn't make for specatular landscape views, but for motorheads like me, it's fun for a couple hours at least.

EDIT: Oops, someone already mentioned it.

 

[GrumpyMom1]

I just looked at your pictures of your past trips to Monterey and they are GREAT! Your Disney pictures are great too. What lenses do you use?

 

[woody64]

Hey Mark & Greg,

I leave Monday and will be in Monterey for 10 days on business. I hope to take some time for some pics. What are early mornings like and Mark where did you get your tide pool/starfish/beach shots from? Thanks!

 

[Master Mason]

Hey Mark & Greg,

I leave Monday and will be in Monterey for 10 days on business. I hope to take some time for some pics. What are early mornings like and Mark where did you get your tide pool/starfish/beach shots from? Thanks!

Mornings are usually pretty good, as long as the fog hasn't rolled in. It has been pretty clear lately.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

What lenses do you use?

I use a Canon 17-40mm f/4, a Canon 24-70 f/2.8, a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, and a Canon 50mm f/1.8. I also added a Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro that I'll be using on this trip.

What are early mornings like and Mark where did you get your tide pool/starfish/beach shots from? Thanks!

The early mornings are dark, but it lightens up as the sun rises. I like taking pictures right about that time.

The tide pool shots were taken at various locations along the Pacific Grove beach front, at stops on 17 mile drive, and in Point Lobos. The beach shots were generally from the beach near Lover's Point and Carmel Beach.


I'll be on my way tomorrow morning. I can't wait to get out there. Maybe I'll see you out there. If you see a nutjob with a big black and yellow camera backpack that looks some clueless and vaguely dangerous, say Hi.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The trip is going well so far. I'd show some shots, but I don't have a good connection.

I got some good low angle, wide shots of the boys on the beach. I got an interesting artsy long exposure shot of surfers. I also got to interesting long exposure shots of the waves and water.

We're on our way down to Big Sur now.

 

[woody64]

Mark,

glad to hear the trip is going well for you as I have yet to take a shot with work. The company I work for is developing the IMAX theatre in the Cannery Row area and we are trying to get it ready for opening. Sounds like I may have some free time Sat. pm and on Sunday so see what I can do. Enjoy and Happy Easter to all!