Where To Shoot: Ventura, CA - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/01/2007 11:49:44 PM · #1

I'm going to Ventura next week and I'm looking for some interesting places to shoot. Any suggestions?

PS: I'm signing off and won't be able to answer until tomorrow. But feel free to leave as many suggestions as you want :)

LKMote

Canon EOS-7D

08/01/2007 11:56:53 PM · #2

I vacationed there a couple of years ago. Go to the Ventura Pier, Harbortown Point Marina, Downtown Ventura, and there is a nice park overlooking the entire city of Ventura (I don't remember its name) it has a great view. Also the Channel Islands are right off the coast you can see them on a clear day. I hope this helps some.
here is a web site on ventura//www.ventura-usa.com/

Message edited by author 2007-08-01 23:59:15.

Tom

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/02/2007 12:52:17 AM · #3

I live in Ventura and the locations LKMote suggested are pretty much the same places I go. Right now is the annual fair, so there are about a bazillion people walking around, and traffic is horrible. An upside to this fair, though, is there are fireworks every night at 10:00pm until Aug. 12. I was going to go check them out tonight, but got home too late, so I'm not sure how good they are. The park LKMote couldn't come up with is Grant Park. Pretty good views as long as it's not a hazy day.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

08/02/2007 01:20:32 AM · #4

the beach by the Holiday Inn is (or at least it was when I was in HS) a good surf break.

It's also the hotel in the movie "Little Miss Sunshine" where the pageant is held.

Message edited by author 2007-08-02 01:21:22.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/02/2007 12:30:45 PM · #5

Thanks everyone! This is a huge help!

hihosilver

Nikon D200

08/02/2007 12:34:44 PM · #6

You might consider Leo Carrillo Beach for sunset photos or surfer photos, and during low tide...the tide pools.

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Carrillo_State_Park

It's a little south of Ventura in the Northern Part of Malibu, but full of photo ops.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/02/2007 08:29:32 PM · #7

Are the whale-watching cruises any good? It sounds great, but I'd hate to go on one of those and see nothing at all and have missed out on all the other stuff I could be taking pictures of ;)

Tom

Canon EOS-5D

08/02/2007 08:38:42 PM · #8

Originally posted by chip_k:

Are the whale-watching cruises any good? It sounds great, but I'd hate to go on one of those and see nothing at all and have missed out on all the other stuff I could be taking pictures of ;)

I think that's usually December - March. If you have a free day, my favorite spot is Anacapa Island...that place won't let you down :)

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/02/2007 08:41:28 PM · #9

You'll usually see whales but it will be a long cruise before you get to where they are in the summer. You're pretty much guaranteed dolphins though. They often follow the boats.

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/02/2007 08:43:56 PM · #10

Originally posted by Tom:

I think that's usually December - March. If you have a free day, my favorite spot is Anacapa Island...that place won't let you down :)

The winter months are for Gray whales. Humpbacks in the summer.

Message edited by author 2007-08-02 20:44:07.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

08/02/2007 08:44:35 PM · #11

If you are on Pacific ave., heading past the Naval Station, West twords the ocean, twords the Ventura public beach areas, check out the warf.

Not much to do there, some cool stuff to shoot, but mostly, there is this fish joint. I don't remember the name. But, if you like fish, freshly caught that day. Go have lunch there.

You will pay like $6 for some fish and chips, and I will guarantee that you will be full by the time you get back to your car. They fill your plate up with something like 5 huge halibut fillets, a huge pile of fries, and cole slaw. MMMMMMM.....my mouth is watering.

There's a pizza joint right across from the fish joint, as well as some other tourist traps.

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

08/02/2007 08:51:35 PM · #12

Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

You'll usually see whales but it will be a long cruise before you get to where they are in the summer. You're pretty much guaranteed dolphins though. They often follow the boats.

I found one that goes far enough out and includes the painted Cave on Santa Cruz island. That would probably be the one I'd do. They say humpbacks and blue whales are supposed to be out there now.

bcoble

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

08/02/2007 08:54:12 PM · #13

Take a drive to Sovang.

Lots there to take pictures of.

hihosilver

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/02/2007 10:02:26 PM · #14

Originally posted by chip_k:

Are the whale-watching cruises any good? It sounds great, but I'd hate to go on one of those and see nothing at all and have missed out on all the other stuff I could be taking pictures of ;)

The whale watching season is over, but the cruises to Santa Cruz island in the Channel islands may be worth the trip for you.

//islandpackers.com/

The Solvang / Los Olivos area is beautiful and you can stay overnight at Alisal Ranch (if you can get a reservation).

//www.alisal.com/

08/02/2007 10:12:08 PM · #15

Now I'm really bummed I only have one day off!!!!! ;) Solvang does look very cool.

d56ranger