Shooting in San Diego...Recommendations?

[JoeW26]

I'm going to be in San Diego twice in the next six months. I'll be there for 4 days in December with evenings and chunks of one day open to use my camera for camera-related activities. And then I'll be there in early May for another 4-5 days.

I've been to San Diego before (though on business so very little time to shoot). I'm interested in specific recommendations about great places or sites to shoot.

 

[Vtec44]

What are you looking for? Buildings, beaches, woodland, or something else?

 

[JoeW26]

I know there is the potential for some great sunset shots. I probably won't have a rental car and will likely be around Waterfront Park. Love architecture shots, love beach and nature concepts, thinking of heading out to Cabrillo. Of course I'll be near the Gaslamp District and the water. But other than the lack of a car (so I can't go drive 2 hours to say....Joshua Tree, I'll do an Uber once or twice for stuff within San Diego), I'm open to recommendations.

 

[KmH]

Balboa Park has lots of photogenic stuff.

Go over the bridge to Coronado to shoot downtown San Diego and the Hotel Del Coronado.
You can get great sunset shots with Point Loma in the background from the southwest facing beach in Coronado too.
There are some nice houses along the beach too.
On 1st street there along the bay there is a small park at the end of I Ave (Bay View Park) that accords an interesting perspective on any aircraft carriers that may be tied up at North Island Naval Air Station. From Bay View Park you can also get shots from a perspective of downtown San Diego not often shot.

I would want to get shots of the old Santa Fe train station (Broadway/Kettner).
The Coaster & Pacific Surfliner trains are another way you can get around, like to Old Town.
San Diego Coaster | Schedules, Routes, Maps and Information
There is the trolley that goes down towards Tijuana too.

 

[Gary A.]

La Jolla for cliffs, waves and sunsets. California is big and unfortunately designed to be driven.

1) USS Midway
2) Balboa Park (museums/gardens/exhibitions)
3) SD Zoo
4) Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
5) La Jolla Cove
6) Torrey Pines State Reserve
7) Cabrillo National Monument
8) Maritime Museum
9) Hotel del Coronado and Coronado Beach
10) Little Italy
11) SEAL Tour (tour via water and land)
12) Old Town
13) I believe that there are Trolley Tours as well.

 

[tirediron]

The trolley system is so good a car isn't really necessary. As mentioned Balboa Park is probably #1. There are some interesting areas in and around Seaport Village and if you do "uber" a trip out to Point Loma for sunset shots would be great.

 

[JoeW26]

Thanks for the specific tips folks--this is much appreciated.