First time USA - any tips?

hmirchev · 03-26-2014, 10:30 PM

Originally posted by Arne Bo

Hi Everybody,

i will visit the western USA (Starting LA - Sedona - Grand Canyon - Lake Powell - Bryce Canyon - Las Vegas - Death Valley - Sequoia - Yosemite - San Francisco - Highway 1 - LA) in April and would love some tips where to go and where not to go.

We will stay about two nights at each place. Good to get an impression, but not enough time to learn the place for good spots.
This is my first time traveling with my own lovely camera. So i don´t want to take only snapshots (of course there will be more than enough of them) anymore.

Every help is very much appreciated. Perhaps someone wants to meet some new german pentaxian and show me his/her favourite place.

Greeting from Germany

Arne

Hi, I work at the Stratosphere (the casino with the tall tower) and I can get you to go up to the top of the tower for free if you'd like. Otherwise it's like $25 per person

let me know and we can arrange something

MD Optofonik · 03-26-2014, 11:07 PM

You mentioned Hwy 1 so I imagine that will be a drive on the PCH through Big Sur; truly stunning. Spend the night at Pfeiffer Big Sur SP if you can.

Since you'll be in Vegas anyway, take the time to visit The National Atomic Testing Museum and the NTSHF - Las Vegas, NV, it's a truly unique museum dedicated to a truly surreal period in American history. Also, Hoover Dam is only a short drive from Vegas. On the way to Vegas from LA, just off the 15, is "Calico Ghost Town", a throwback to kitschy 50's tourist traps except it's actually very cool and won't take up a great deal of time. After Calico you'll be hungry so stop in at "The Mad Greek" a few miles down the road in Baker.

While in LA, and as tempting as the famous freak show at Venice Beach is, check out nearby Abbot Kinney instead. If you're interested in a time capsule of the Southern California beach vibe, take the scenic route to Vegas and visit San Clemente and Doheny Beach of The Beach Boys fame. It's south of LA on I-5 and when you're ready for Vegas you can take the 74 through the Santa Ana Mountains and hop on the 15. BTW the best burgers in Southern California are at the end of the exit ramp for Doheny Beach, "A's Burgers". The Double A with cheese and some onion rings will be just the ticket to start you on your way to Vegas.

Have fun.

PM me if you want meet up when you're in LA. If I'm not working I'm game.

hmirchev · 03-26-2014, 11:32 PM

Also for LA, if you're into Rock and Roll, there's this awesome place on Sunset Blvd. called "Rainbow Bar & Grill" and there is a ton of rock memorabilia inside and the prices for food are normal. I visit it every time I'm in LA.

AquaDome · 03-26-2014, 11:41 PM

Originally posted by hmirchev

Also for LA, if you're into Rock and Roll, there's this awesome place on Sunset Blvd. called "Rainbow Bar & Grill" and there is a ton of rock memorabilia inside and the prices for food are normal. I visit it every time I'm in LA.

True. And Lemmy from MotorHead is usually hanging around, if you need a picture of that sort of thing. He's a nice guy.

hmirchev · 03-26-2014, 11:44 PM

Originally posted by AquaDome

True. And Lemmy from MotorHead is usually hanging around, if you need a picture of that sort of thing. He's a nice guy.

Haven't seen him during my visits, but the owner is pretty nice too, he gave my little brother a free sundae

**Arne Bo** · 03-27-2014, 10:50 AM - **1 Like**

Thank you all so much. I have a lot to discuss with my travelmates now.
Only two weeks to go! I´m getting excited!

---------- Post added 03-27-14 at 06:54 PM ----------

Originally posted by hmirchev

Hi, I work at the Stratosphere (the casino with the tall tower) and I can get you to go up to the top of the tower for free if you'd like. Otherwise it's like $25 per person

let me know and we can arrange something

Wow, thats great!

I´ll get in touch with you, when i know my schedule.

hmirchev · 03-27-2014, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by Arne Bo

Thank you all so much. I have a lot to discuss with my travelmates now.
Only two weeks to go! I´m getting excited!

---------- Post added 03-27-14 at 06:54 PM ----------

Wow, thats great!

I´ll get in touch with you, when i know my schedule.

Okay great, if it isnt a Thursday/Friday/Saturday, i'll be available to take you up to the tower

pm me and we can talk about it

**Arne Bo** · 03-28-2014, 05:23 AM

I have one question. Can i use my tripod in towns like LA, LV and SF or should i leave it at the hotel, because it is forbidden at most places?

**blackcloudbrew** · 03-28-2014, 06:22 AM

I know of no such restrictions for use of a tripod in those places. Practically speaking you don't want to block people off though. If you are shooting indoors in places, you may want to check about policies though.

Mr Bassie · 03-28-2014, 06:29 AM

I would suggest flying in to Phoenix Arizona instead of LA. It is much closer to Sedona. Would save you quite a bit of driving time.

Your trip looks fabulous but it will involve quite a bit of driving. The US west is a vast area.

One additional thing you might want to see is Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA. It is right on highway one.

Have a great time!

hmirchev · 03-29-2014, 12:29 AM

Originally posted by Arne Bo

I have one question. Can i use my tripod in towns like LA, LV and SF or should i leave it at the hotel, because it is forbidden at most places?

I don't think that tripods would be forbidden anywhere except in the gaming parts of the casino, but i'm pretty sure photography of those areas is forbidden too..maybe because you could be doing surveillance for a big heist

i think a tripod for the tower would be appropriate as there are a couple high fences and they could get in the way of hand-held photography and also you can do a cool long-exposure shot of the strip with all the cars moving in the street underneath, kind of like in those calendar/postcard pictures

**Arne Bo** · 06-05-2014, 03:05 AM

I wanted to thank everyone for the input again.
One of our group got sick, so i couldn´t meet anyone. That was quite sad.
If you like you can take a look at some of my pictures at Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/110188689@N08/
I have to go trough the last days and hopefully will be able to upload a few pics of the rest of the journey shortly.

**blackcloudbrew** · 06-05-2014, 07:39 AM

Wow, nice shots and looks like you hit lots of great locations.

SpecialK · 06-05-2014, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by Arne Bo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/110188689@N08/
I have to go trough the last days and hopefully will be able to upload a few pics of the rest of the journey shortly.

Very nice. I like the Angel's Landing trail at Zion. I went up the other side (Observation Point).

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03-26-2014, 10:30 PM	#16
hmirchev Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 332	Originally posted by Arne Bo Hi Everybody, i will visit the western USA (Starting LA - Sedona - Grand Canyon - Lake Powell - Bryce Canyon - Las Vegas - Death Valley - Sequoia - Yosemite - San Francisco - Highway 1 - LA) in April and would love some tips where to go and where not to go. We will stay about two nights at each place. Good to get an impression, but not enough time to learn the place for good spots. This is my first time traveling with my own lovely camera. So i don´t want to take only snapshots (of course there will be more than enough of them) anymore. Every help is very much appreciated. Perhaps someone wants to meet some new german pentaxian and show me his/her favourite place. Greeting from Germany Arne Hi, I work at the Stratosphere (the casino with the tall tower) and I can get you to go up to the top of the tower for free if you'd like. Otherwise it's like $25 per person let me know and we can arrange something

03-26-2014, 11:07 PM	#17
MD Optofonik Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 962	You mentioned Hwy 1 so I imagine that will be a drive on the PCH through Big Sur; truly stunning. Spend the night at Pfeiffer Big Sur SP if you can. Since you'll be in Vegas anyway, take the time to visit The National Atomic Testing Museum and the NTSHF - Las Vegas, NV, it's a truly unique museum dedicated to a truly surreal period in American history. Also, Hoover Dam is only a short drive from Vegas. On the way to Vegas from LA, just off the 15, is "Calico Ghost Town", a throwback to kitschy 50's tourist traps except it's actually very cool and won't take up a great deal of time. After Calico you'll be hungry so stop in at "The Mad Greek" a few miles down the road in Baker. While in LA, and as tempting as the famous freak show at Venice Beach is, check out nearby Abbot Kinney instead. If you're interested in a time capsule of the Southern California beach vibe, take the scenic route to Vegas and visit San Clemente and Doheny Beach of The Beach Boys fame. It's south of LA on I-5 and when you're ready for Vegas you can take the 74 through the Santa Ana Mountains and hop on the 15. BTW the best burgers in Southern California are at the end of the exit ramp for Doheny Beach, "A's Burgers". The Double A with cheese and some onion rings will be just the ticket to start you on your way to Vegas. Have fun. PM me if you want meet up when you're in LA. If I'm not working I'm game.

03-26-2014, 11:32 PM	#18
hmirchev Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 332	Also for LA, if you're into Rock and Roll, there's this awesome place on Sunset Blvd. called "Rainbow Bar & Grill" and there is a ton of rock memorabilia inside and the prices for food are normal. I visit it every time I'm in LA.

03-26-2014, 11:41 PM	#19
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	Originally posted by hmirchev Also for LA, if you're into Rock and Roll, there's this awesome place on Sunset Blvd. called "Rainbow Bar & Grill" and there is a ton of rock memorabilia inside and the prices for food are normal. I visit it every time I'm in LA. True. And Lemmy from MotorHead is usually hanging around, if you need a picture of that sort of thing. He's a nice guy.

03-26-2014, 11:44 PM	#20
hmirchev Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 332	Originally posted by AquaDome True. And Lemmy from MotorHead is usually hanging around, if you need a picture of that sort of thing. He's a nice guy. Haven't seen him during my visits, but the owner is pretty nice too, he gave my little brother a free sundae

03-27-2014, 10:50 AM - 1 Like	#21
Arne Bo Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Hamburg Photos: Albums Posts: 123 Original Poster	Thank you all so much. I have a lot to discuss with my travelmates now. Only two weeks to go! I´m getting excited! ---------- Post added 03-27-14 at 06:54 PM ---------- Originally posted by hmirchev Hi, I work at the Stratosphere (the casino with the tall tower) and I can get you to go up to the top of the tower for free if you'd like. Otherwise it's like $25 per person let me know and we can arrange something Wow, thats great! I´ll get in touch with you, when i know my schedule.

03-27-2014, 08:31 PM	#22
hmirchev Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 332	Originally posted by Arne Bo Thank you all so much. I have a lot to discuss with my travelmates now. Only two weeks to go! I´m getting excited! ---------- Post added 03-27-14 at 06:54 PM ---------- Wow, thats great! I´ll get in touch with you, when i know my schedule. Okay great, if it isnt a Thursday/Friday/Saturday, i'll be available to take you up to the tower pm me and we can talk about it

03-28-2014, 05:23 AM	#23
Arne Bo Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Hamburg Photos: Albums Posts: 123 Original Poster	I have one question. Can i use my tripod in towns like LA, LV and SF or should i leave it at the hotel, because it is forbidden at most places?

03-28-2014, 06:22 AM	#24
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	I know of no such restrictions for use of a tripod in those places. Practically speaking you don't want to block people off though. If you are shooting indoors in places, you may want to check about policies though.

03-28-2014, 06:29 AM	#25
Mr Bassie Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,258	I would suggest flying in to Phoenix Arizona instead of LA. It is much closer to Sedona. Would save you quite a bit of driving time. Your trip looks fabulous but it will involve quite a bit of driving. The US west is a vast area. One additional thing you might want to see is Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA. It is right on highway one. Have a great time!

03-29-2014, 12:29 AM	#26
hmirchev Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 332	Originally posted by Arne Bo I have one question. Can i use my tripod in towns like LA, LV and SF or should i leave it at the hotel, because it is forbidden at most places? I don't think that tripods would be forbidden anywhere except in the gaming parts of the casino, but i'm pretty sure photography of those areas is forbidden too..maybe because you could be doing surveillance for a big heist i think a tripod for the tower would be appropriate as there are a couple high fences and they could get in the way of hand-held photography and also you can do a cool long-exposure shot of the strip with all the cars moving in the street underneath, kind of like in those calendar/postcard pictures

06-05-2014, 03:05 AM	#27
Arne Bo Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Hamburg Photos: Albums Posts: 123 Original Poster	I wanted to thank everyone for the input again. One of our group got sick, so i couldn´t meet anyone. That was quite sad. If you like you can take a look at some of my pictures at Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/110188689@N08/ I have to go trough the last days and hopefully will be able to upload a few pics of the rest of the journey shortly.

06-05-2014, 07:39 AM	#28
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Wow, nice shots and looks like you hit lots of great locations.

06-05-2014, 12:47 PM	#29
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Originally posted by Arne Bo https://www.flickr.com/photos/110188689@N08/ I have to go trough the last days and hopefully will be able to upload a few pics of the rest of the journey shortly. Very nice. I like the Angel's Landing trail at Zion. I went up the other side (Observation Point).