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Here is a proposed schedule for our meetup on February 23rd Saturday of World Pentax Day.
Lets get some feedback.

A) 10:00 AM meet at Union Station in the lobby near the snack shop JCG_120312_5480_RGB | Metro's The Source
Meet and greet till 10:30
Disperse to take photos of the grounds and return extra equipment to cars
Regroup at 11:00 AM outside of front doors to start the walk

B) 11:02 Arrve at Olvera Street Kiosko EL PUEBLO DE LOS ANGELES HISTORICAL MONUMENT
Disperse to take photos of Olvera Street area
Regroup at 11:30 to continue walk

C) 12:00 Arrive at intersection of Alpine and Broadway Schedule
Disperse to take photos of Chinatown events. Stay as long as you like <or>

D) 1:00 PM Alpine and Broadway : whoever wants to join for sandwiches at Phillipes meet here for the walk down to the restaurant Philippe the Original | Home of the French Dip Sandwich



Last year we had our first meet up of the year on World Pentax Day in February but I still have not heard when this years WPD will be.
What do you all think about planning a meetup for March 2 2013?
Lets get your input going to see if we can make it happen.

As far as locations, user Greyser turned me on to the wildlife preserve at Sepulveda Dam that is a great spot for birds, macro and other types of shooting.

Lets hear your input

Sepulveda Dam looks awesome, I never known it existence, according to wikipedia: "Behind the dam, the Sepulveda Basin is home to several large recreation areas and parks, a model aircraft field, The Japanese Garden, a wildlife refuge, a water reclamation plant and an armory." I may come early to check them out, moreover, maybe also a great spot of sunset pics opportunity?

There is almost nothing for sunset pictures, sorry . Also the Japanese Garden is closed on Saturdays (open on Sundays, though and it is great place to visit).

However, it is a unique home to many species. I have about a hundred of PPG entries with different birds from this lake. It is a very diverse place. However, recently it was kind of vandalized. Many acres of bushes and wild fields were bulldozered in the sake of "clean up". The lake is still untouched. At the same time last spring I saw at least one Great White Egret nest in these ruined now bushes.

VIDEO: River Advocates, Birdwatchers, Tour Bulldozed Wildlife Preserve - Sherman Oaks, CA Patch

I'd like to come sometime but actually have plans that particular Saturday..

Suggestions for other dates and venues are welcome.
It usually takes a few rounds before we get the majority to agree on something that works so feel free to throw something out there.
Also, if WPD gets announced soon it would probably become the default date as that is what we did for the last 2 meetups.
Anyway I just wanted to get the gears moving.

I've heard something about an old zoo that was abandoned, but you can still visit. I haven't done any research recently, but I'll have another look at it.

I'm not too far from Sepulveda Dam and it is pretty cool, but there are probably better places. Maybe let's consider that the last resort.

I should be open those dates.... for now either Saturday or Sunday will work. As far as locations, The Getty is cool.. Seems it would have a bit of everything.. People, flowers/plants and landscape opportunities... Not sure if parking is free or not.. never been...

Not sure what you all think about taking a ride on a tour bus in Hollywood.. and shoot from the bus.. something i have always wanted to do... that would be more along the lines of Street Photography...

anyhow.. whatever is good...

The Japaneses Garden is very cool place by itself. It is compact but exhibit cool oriental style landscapes, exotic trees and flowers, many birds for very close up photography (my FA*300/4.5 was too long here), even small waterfall. The entrance fee is $3 (was a year ago) and it is closed on Saturdays.
~ Welcome to the Japanese Garden ~

LA Arboretum (aka Peacock Place) is another wonderful place to go ($8):
The Arboretum — Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden

Griffith Observatory and surroundings for short hiking maybe?
Official Site: Griffith Observatory Los Angeles, CA

O'Melveny Park (the second largest park in LA after Griffith Park). Cool place for unobtrusive short/long hike.
Parks | LAMountains.com

And I've never been in Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach, just heard of it, but want to visit it someday:
Huntington Beach California Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Wetlands Photos and Information

Good to hear from you Chuck and Edward.

One of the things I enjoy about our meetups is the opportunity to 'discover' the Pentax equipment that others may own.
Hollywood Blvd. is a real madhouse and I don't know of any safe place where we could do the 'sharing time' but if we choose that spot we can always skip it or perhaps see if someone can find a safe spot for that activity.

BTW, I finally did a bus tour this past fall when a business associate was visiting from out of town and it was a real blast. Learned lots of new stuff about that area, it would be a fun activity for a family - once the weather warms up

The Huntington Library / Gardens sounds like another option in Pasadena...

The Huntington Library

And Old Pasadena (Colorado Blvd.) is a good place for street photography

We did Huntington for our first meet last year in Feb, during the Chinese New Year event. It's a great time - see pictures staring here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/groups/54-california-pentax-users/1428-so...#gmessage17648

Cool. Anyplace is good for me. I would need at least a few weeks to schedule the time off.

I think we should let Javier lead us on a street shooting expedition..

I'm not too familiar with the LA area, so I'll let you guys figure out a place. If I'm off on the meet up date I'm game to drive the 100+ miles again.