Depends on where you live. I live near a metro so there's a lot to explore. I average about 8 thousand miles a year just on location scouting alone. Sometimes, I will explorer an area between sessions. I will also jump on google maps and open a location relatively close to another one I use. Scan the satellite view and use the street view .. virtual driving style looking side to side. I make a note of a wall, park, alley, etc. that looks promising. Once I have enough checkouts on my list I physically go to the area and investigate it.
What I DONT do .. is look at local resources, including magazines, photographers, etc. Photographers are like cockroaches. One of them finds a good location and it becomes a breeding ground .. photographers and clients scurrying around every corner .. you go to your favorite old building with the colorful roughed up garage door and find out you have to wait in line for your turn to shoot it. Offering what everyone else is offering doesn't make you stand out of the sea of shooters.
