Best Landscapes in Orange County California?

[slrlounge]

I'm looking to get more into capturing stunning landscapes in Orange County, but I can't seem to find anything but nice beach locations. Anyone have any other recommendations?

Thanks!

-Chris
Lin and Jirsa (http://www.linandjirsablog.com) Photography (http://www.undfind.com)

[Sal Santamaura]

...stunning landscapes in Orange County...Ansel said he found nothing photographically interesting south of San Luis Obispo. As a resident of Orange County for 32 years, I'd have to agree with him. :)

[Michael Gordon]

I disagree with Sal. Failure to find interesting things could also be attributed to poor vision.

Go walking. The places in OC that I find beautiful are for me a challenge to photograph. That doesn't mean that good photographs cannot be made. A few ideas, some being just on the outside edge of the county:

* Santa Rosa Plateau...and the Santa Ana Mountains at large;
* Chino Hills SP
* Any one of the "Wilderness Parks (http://www.ocparks.com/wildernessparks/)"

For more ideas, get the Jerry Schad (http://www.amazon.com/Afoot-Afield-Orange-County-Comprehensive/dp/0899973973/ref=micegorfinpho-20) hiking guide to OC and get walking. Think and see other than grand landscapes and you'll find more things to photograph.

http://www.michael-gordon.com/images/large/DancingOaks.jpg

[SW Rick]

+1 for what Michael said. Try the Ortega Highway, out of San Juan Capistrano. There's the mission in San Juan as well.

[Vaughn]

I hear the view of the Matterhorn from Tom Sawyer's Island is pretty neat...

[PViapiano]

The area around Lake Elsinore off Route 15 and south into Temecula and San Diego is incredible...

[Hugo Zhang]

Michael,

Nice picture! Where is it? In Orange County?

Thanks,
Hugo

[Tri Tran]

Here're few of my favorite locations :

Mission at San Juan Capistrano
Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Soka University in Aliso Viejo (Landscape and beautiful Architecture).
Irvine Water District
Dana Point Harbor
Huntington Library on Golden West Street HB
Miles Square Park in Fountain Valley

Enjoy!

PS: Great shot Micheal !

[Michael Gordon]

Michael, Nice picture! Where is it? In Orange County?

Thanks, Hugo and TT!

Yes, O'Neill Regional Park, Santa Ana Mountains.

[J Ney]

It has been years since I was down there at UC-Irvine but my favorite locations as I recall are:

Whiting Ranch (esp. Red Rock Cyn)
Lots off of Santiago Cyn Road (I think that is the name)
Modjeska Cyn & the area back near Silverado I think are hidden treasures
Back Bay off of Jamboree Rd near Newport Beach
If you are looking for ocean, pretty much anything down near Dana Point / Crystal Cove are nice