California – Page 5

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Published on August 31, 2013August 31, 2013 by Photo GirlLeave a comment

It’s a stunning day and the coast is warm and sunny. I pulled over and walked along the trails by the Pigeon Point Lighthouse before heading to my favorite Mexican restaurant in Pascadero, our next stop!

Jam Tasting & a Field of Sunflowers

Published on August 31, 2013August 31, 2013 by Photo GirlLeave a comment

One of my favorite places to stop is Swanton Farms where you can taste jams, buy home baked pastries and organic foods. There is no one running a cash register, you just drop your money in the cash drawer and take your change. I stop here often but this time there was a fun surprise. As I pulled off the road I saw the most amazing field of sunflowers. Huge six and seven inch stocks! This is a great place to visit if you’re driving up the coast.

If You Were a Surfer

Published on August 31, 2013August 31, 2013 by Photo GirlLeave a comment

I just pulled off onto Davenport Road which hugs the coast and has grass lined paths down to the water. The gravel road is filled with sun-faded cars, surf boards hanging off the back, and the air smells salty. It’s almost impossible to take a photo without a surfer. Surfing is the thing to do on a beautiful Saturday morning (that and shoot photos) The fog has started to lift and I’m off looking for another interesting place to stop…;)

In The Fog, Highway 1 Coastal Drive

Published on August 31, 2013August 31, 2013 by Photo GirlLeave a comment

It’s 9am and I’m just outside the quaint town of Santa Cruz. The fog is thick and it’s actually a bit hard to see the road in front of me. I love this type of weather. I saw this farm barely visible from the road and pulled over take a pic. Photographing fog is one of my favorite things to do. The ghost like image can be quite haunting. Just wanted to say morning! And I’ll see you at my next stop.

Balboa Island, California

Published on August 6, 2013August 6, 2013 by Photo GirlLeave a comment

During a business trip last week I was able to rediscover a beautiful island located off Newport Beach in southern California. I was actually following a sign to Fashion Island, which is a pretty amazing shopping mall. Listed on that same sign was “Balboa Island” and I thought “what the heck, I’ll take a look.” I headed up over a small bridge and into another world.

View from the walkway. There was a sailboat race the afternoon I was there

A charming village, Balboa Island if full of local shops, restaurants, world famous chocolate covered bananas and a whole lot more. There is one main street where you’ll find everything you need to eat, drink, shop and be merry. There is also a path that runs along the water’s edge that runs around the island. As you leave the main street and walk around the island, you’ll find more shops and restaurants on the other side. A great break if you’re attempting a “pub crawl”. You can drive over the bridge or take the Island Ferry. Below you’ll find a few maps showing you where the island is located and a close up showing you the bridge, where to shop/eat and the path around the island. If you’re in the SoCal area and near Newport Beach it’s worth the visit. You won’t be disappointed!

Here's where Balboa Island is located — Here’s where Balboa Island is located

Here's a close up showing you around the island — Here’s a close up showing you around the island

Here are some photos from my visit!

Here's the walkway around the Balboa Island with some fabulous homes — Here’s the walkway around the Balboa Island with some fabulous homes

Tons of docks stretch out over the water

Great way to chill is to put your feet in the sand!

Amelia's salad - it was REALLY good! — Amelia’s dinner, sea bass, pasta and steamed veggies – it was REALLY good!

Here’s a helpful website with more information: http://www.balboaisland.com/

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Mount Shasta, California

Published on June 10, 2013August 16, 2013 by Photo GirlLeave a comment

Mount Shasta Reflection in Siskiyou Lake at Sunrise

If you’ve never driven on Highway 5 and had the chance to see this active volcano located at the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County, California, you’re really missing out. One of the most impressive things is that you see it’s white capped mountain top about 140 miles before you even get to it (if it’s a clear, sunny day) It’s that huge!

Mount Shasta Photo taken when I pulled off the highway about 50 miles away

The oldest human habitation in the area around Mount Shasta is about 7000 years ago. And by about 5000 years ago, there was substantial human habitation in this area. (I find that quite amazing) Although it is covered with snow, John Muir wrote a dramatic article about an experience in which he survived an overnight blizzard on Mount Shasta by lying in the hot sulfur springs found near the summit. (I personally am not sure I would have ever left the warm, cozy springs and would, to this day, be a shriveled raisin waiting for someone with a heated blanket to pick me up…)

Here are some photos I shot. These were on the way to the town of Mount Shasta which sits at the base of the mountain. I love cows so was over the moon when I saw them grazing in a field with the mountain in the background:

I kept seeing photos of the mountain by a lake. I guess I thought I’d drive out to this lake which would be in the middle of a state national park and shoot my photos like Ansel Adams. The lake is actually called Lake Siskiyou and is located by where I stayed – The Mount Shasta Resort – which I’ll tell you about next. If you want to take photos with the lake in the foreground, you’ll need to drive to Lake Siskiyou and then find the Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort. You can also camp in this park, swim and hike. It will cost you $1.00 to enter the park for the day which in my book is a deal. Here are the photos I shot around 7:30am.

Here is a small shop where you can get food, drinks, bait, etc. once you’re in the park.

Where to Stay: Mount Shasta Resort

I stayed at the Mount Shasta Resort which is located by/on Lake Siskiyou. Before I tell you about the place I have to make note of the service. Everyone was VERY helpful, professional and super friendly. Which is really nice when you’ve been driving for a long time. A special thanks to Christy for all of her help. If you do stay there ask for her and please tell her Photo Girl says hi! I stayed in one of the Chalets which are located directly on Lake Siskiyou. They are quiet, peaceful and very relaxing. You’ll find a kitchen, bedroom(s), fireplace, living room and some have private decks. Also, the view when you check in is pretty amazing. The first image is what you see. Behind you is a gorgeous golf course. (Dad’s play free on Father’s Day and I believe you can also play for free on your birthday!) Here are some of the photos: