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DPChallenge Forums >> Out and About >> San Francisco / Newark CA Tips?
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02/16/2005 02:13:30 PM · #1
It looks like I may be in San Francisco in ~ 2 weeks, and if all goes well might be able to break away for a few hours of late afternoon / early evening shooting in either the city or in the Newark area. It will be kind of last minute, but if it happens I'd like to take good advantage. I don't want to blow too much of whatever time I find driving, so wondered what folks would suggest?

Worst case scenario I can always do street work, but that's not usually my first choice. I'm more of a nature / landscape guy. Any suggestions would be welcome to this fish who's soon to be out of water.
02/16/2005 02:30:34 PM · #2
You might want to concider San Jose aswell, as Newark is closer to San Jose than it is to SF. However if you are going to be in the city there are some great photo ops in the Presidio/ Golden Gate area, Golden Gate Park, Nob HIll, Twin Peaks etc etc
02/16/2005 03:14:47 PM · #3
I'll be staying in SF for three days, then transitioning to Newark for 2 days. My afternoon off is when I finish buisiness in SF and migrate to Newark. I could theoretically select either venue.

Any specific places in the San Jose area which I should look at?

Last time I was in Newark I spent time hiking around some park preserve which had hike/bike trails that seemed to go forever. It was nice, but I'm always up for something new.
02/16/2005 03:15:14 PM · #4
Originally posted by geminiwb:

You might want to concider San Jose aswell, as Newark is closer to San Jose than it is to SF. However if you are going to be in the city there are some great photo ops in the Presidio/ Golden Gate area, Golden Gate Park, Nob HIll, Twin Peaks etc etc


GO TO MUIR WOODS! Redwood park near SF. It's fantastic and can be a quick trip.
02/16/2005 03:52:02 PM · #5
If you are going to be going down to Newark in the afternoon I would suggest that you take the long way around and go down Highway 1 to Santa Cruz and then take 17 back up to San Jose.
Along Highway 1 you will get lots of dramatic cliffscapes lit by ocean light. You might look into the elephant seal nursery at Ano Nuevo state beach ( the bulls should have cleared off but the cows and pups will still be around) or Pigeon point lighhouse. Lots of seals and pelicans around Pescadero.
Near Santa Cruz you have the surfers at break point, and the surfer museum, or Henry Coe ( or one of the many others) state parks for shooting in the redwoods. Of course this assumes decent weather and good light.
This route will add about and hour and a half to your drive time compared to 101/680 but the route is just a tad more scenic.
02/16/2005 03:58:31 PM · #6
Originally posted by BrennanOB:

You might look into the elephant seal nursery at Ano Nuevo state beach( the bulls should have cleared off but the cows and pups will still be around)...


This requires reservations and about 2 hours. Many bulls are still there. It's by guided tour only so there is no way to decrease or increase your stay.
02/16/2005 04:22:28 PM · #7
Originally posted by BrennanOB:

This route will add about and hour and a half to your drive time compared to 101/680 but the route is just a tad more scenic.

I think it would add more like three hours to the drive, especially if you want to stop and take pictures.

A more direct option would be to leave SF to the South via State Route 35 (Skyline Blvd.), a 2-lane highway which runs along the ridgeline from SF to Los Gatos (just west of San Jose), with some good Bay panoramas. The lakes you see nearby are the Crystal Springs reservoir system -- originally sinkponds formed by the San Andreas Fault -- which receive SF's water supply from the Sierras at the Pulgas Water Temple. -- OOPS just see from the links that it might be closed right now : (

Message edited by author 2005-02-16 16:23:03.
02/16/2005 04:32:09 PM · #8
I live in Brooklyn now, but originally from San Jose and 15 yrs in Santa Cruz...I would definately suggest Hwy 1 So to Santa Cruz. You can always go to Natural Bridges area and climb down the rocks to the tide pools or get fantastic scenery anywhere along the way. Henry Cowell State Park is on HWY 9, just park off to the side and hike through the redwoods. Tons of stuff to see and do all over the area. Don't waste the opportunity and have fun!
02/16/2005 04:50:08 PM · #9
Originally posted by GeneralE:

I think it would add more like three hours to the drive, especially if you want to stop and take pictures.


SF to Newark over the Dumbo (Dumbarton Bridge) is 36 min.

SF to Santa Cruz is 60 min (budget two hours to shoot, lots along here)

Santa Cruz to Newark is 70 min (some nice sunset stuff near santa cruz, then a winding trip north, but not much light and not too much to see so less stopping)

I used to drive from Aptos (south of Santa Cruz) to SF Monday mornings, and all day long people would ask me what I was smiling about. The extra time is well worth one of the most beautifull drives in the world.

If it is raining or you just have no time, 35 (or 280) is nicer than 101, but it won't have you smiling at the memory of the trip.

Message edited by author 2005-02-16 16:54:26.
02/16/2005 04:58:47 PM · #10
Originally posted by BrennanOB:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

I think it would add more like three hours to the drive, especially if you want to stop and take pictures.


SF to Newark over the Dumbo (Dumbarton Bridge) is 36 min.

That's not a figure I'd have much confidence in, particularly for a late-afternoon drive ... I listen to a lot of traffic reports on the radio. SF to SC in an hour seems optimistic as well, unless you have a helicopter or Ferrari ...

You can check driving times at the Bay Area Traffic Info site.

Message edited by author 2005-02-16 17:05:26.
02/16/2005 05:03:28 PM · #11
Wow! Had a house on 4 acres in Aptos off Trout Gulch Rd didn't think anyone knew where it is!
Can't you take some extra time and go even further to Monterey and Carmel?
GeneralIE is right though, traffic can be a deal buster if you're on a time schedule. STAY LONGER!
02/16/2005 05:13:02 PM · #12
Wow! Thanks to everyone for the tips. I'll do my best to check some of those sights out, and also do my best to avoid long winded people when I'm trying to wrap-up on Monday :) That highway route with tidal pools sounds pretty cool...

I'll be trying to get out early in the AM for street shooting before my conference starts each day, so hopefully it will be a fruitful trip photography-wise.

I don't really have an option of staying longer this time around, but the company I work for has many facilities in the area, and I tend to get out that way at least 1-2 times a year, so those suggestions will all get put to use eventually :)

Thanks again!
02/16/2005 05:13:57 PM · #13
Yes, if you leave SF at 4:30 pm, plan to shoot in South San Francisco, or perhaps San Mateo. Given wet roads and bad traffic count on seeing nothing and getting nowhere. Slowly.
All time estimates I gave are from Mapquest and give a fair estimate of travel time over clear roads at or below the posted speed limits; however, they assume non rush hour traffic. If you are on Highway 1 Past Colma (the town where Wyatt Erpp is buried and the dead outnumber the living) by 3:00 pm you will not hit traffic again untill you have to slog over the hill on 17 .
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