San Diego - Locations and Film

[BrianShaw]

Does anyone know how the economy is doing there?

unemployment rate - just under 9%
sales tax rate - over 9%
gasoline prices - over $3/gallon and rising

other than that, it's fine. just bring $... lot$ of $$$$.

[Brian_A]

Robert,

The economy in San Diego is usually pretty "strong." Cost of living is pretty high as compared to most places. I assume you're military - your BAH will be about the same if I'm not mistaken. (I was out at Pearl..)

My favorite locations are Crystal Pier (Sunrise or sunset), Imperial Beach Pier at sunset, Scripps pier is really popular, too. I'd go along with everyone else on their recommendations, too. The big addition I'd add is the San Diego cliche skyline from Coronado. (Also, it's not an island as some may refer to it as. It's as much an island as San Francisco is.)

Best of luck and if you need someone to go shooting with, hit me up.

-Brian

[Robert Oliver]

off the beaten path... Antique Steam Engine Museum in Vista is a pretty cool location for rustic, detail shots of cool old equipment.

[David E. Rose]

If you like architecture, see the Salk Institute in LaJolla.

[bvstaples]

Robert:

If you know you're going to need film while here, both Calumet (in Escondido, 30 miles north of downtown), and Nelson's will order some in for you. Just call ahead. Give them a date to hold it until, and they hold it. If you don't buy it then they sell it to some rube like me!

Here's some of my in-town faves:
--Point Loma Lighthouse, somewhat cliche but still a lot of cool opportunities there.
--Tide pools, in both Point Loma and La Lolla, check the tide tables.
--Ocean Beach, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Oceanside, and all the great little beach towns.
--El Prado in Balboa Park, touristy, but the devil is in the details. Many, many details to be captured here.

If you have time to venture out of the city:
--Palomar Mountain, of course the observatory, but check out the State Park also.
--Mount Laguna, a stunning piece of the Cleveland National Forest, check out Laguna Meadows.
--Campo Rail Museum, if you like old iron and dilapidated rail equipment.
--Desert Tower, not so much the tower, but the surround rock formations.
--Valley of the Moon, once you're there you'll see why it's referred to as a "Valley of the Moon." Eerie lunar-like landscape.
--Carizzo Badlands, just don't get stuck there. Consider renting a 4-wheeler and take plenty of agua.
--Salton Sea, bizarre place, again so so many details...

When you get here, let us know, as some of us might take day trips to shoot...

Brian

[AgentX]

Lots has already been said, but the Laguna mountains offer some nice views (I-8 to Sunrise Highway near Pine Valley) and the Cabrillo National Monument is awesome. Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach/Point Loma may offer you something, too. La Jolla Cove, perhaps?

[Tim Povlick]

Hi Robert,

If you can arrive late February maybe you could hit some of the flower season in the low desert - Palm Canyon near Borrego Springs. You can check here:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638
for information.

Nelson's Photo has 4x5 film in stock. I am fairly certain they have the Velvia 50. They even carry Fuji Instant FP-100 in both sizes. You can call ahead and make sure the film you need is in stock or have it ordered in. There are two LF photographers that work there. For development, Chrome Digital a few blocks away has about a 2 hour turn and does pro work.

Enjoy.

Tim

[roteague]

Thanks for all the excellent suggestions!!

I am planning for the late February, so perhaps some of the desert wildflowers will be blooming. I can get the film locally, which means I don't have to order it, then carry it with me, and can even get it processed before I go home. Great. :P

[AgentX]

Chrome is a great place in my last experience (6 years ago...) Wasn't cheap, though, IIRC.

If you're going to head to the desert, I have to say I like Joshua Tree over Anza-Borrego.