632 Photo Spots in California

About the location

The western state is one of the most popular places to visit in the USA and that's for a good reason, because the area is extremely versatile and every kind of photographer will come at its costs. Since there is so much to see, you should plan your trip for at least 14 days and longer.

Technology fans will definitely have to visit the region around Palo Alto, where companies like Apple, Facebook and Google are located. Another must-see are the mammoth trees north of SF and if you have the time, San Diego is also a great city for a daytrip.

Best timing

The best time to visit California for photography is during the spring from March to May when the hills are vibrant green, wildflowers carpet the deserts, and Yosemite's waterfalls reach their peak flow. Alternatively, autumn in the Eastern Sierra provides stunning fall foliage against jagged peaks, typically peaking in October. Winter is also excellent for dramatic coastal storms along the Pacific Coast Highway and clear, crisp air in high desert regions like Joshua Tree. Avoid the harsh midday summer sun in the deserts, and keep in mind that coastal fog can provide moody, diffused light along the beaches during early summer.

Traveling

Traveling down Route 1 from San Francisco to LA is probably one of the most remarkable things you should do when you visit California. Especially the part between SF and Pismo Beach is crazy beautiful.

Photography tips for California

To capture California's diverse landscapes, bring a versatile lens kit including a wide-angle for the vast deserts and redwood forests, and a telephoto for compressing mountain ranges or coastal wildlife. In Yosemite, utilize a tripod and neutral density filters to create silky water effects at Bridalveil Fall or to manage high-contrast scenes during sunset at Half Dome. For San Francisco, visit Battery Spencer at sunrise for the iconic Golden Gate Bridge view, or wait for the famous fog to roll in for ethereal cityscapes. In Death Valley, arrive at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes before dawn to capture long shadows and pristine textures before the wind or tourists disturb the sand. Lastly, always use a polarizer along the coast to cut through glare on the ocean and enhance the deep turquoise hues of the Pacific.

Other languages

Here is how California is called in other languages:
CS Kalifornie DE Kalifornien EL Καλιφόρνια ES California FI Kalifornia FR Californie HI कैलिफोर्निया HR Kalifornija IS Kalifornía IT California JA カリフォルニア NL Californië NO California PL Kalifornia PT Califórnia RU Калифорния SV Kalifornien TR Kaliforniya ZH 加利福尼亚