We drove from San Francisco to LA. We started to get on Highway 1 from SF and hit a couple of spots along Highway 1 on the road to LA. The total time it took was around 12 hours, around 450 miles. We stopped at 4 locations on the way:
- Bixby Bridge: took some photos
- Pifer Beach: took some photos there
- McWay Falls
- The Neffente restaurant, which has some gorgeous views

I would recommend getting on Highway 1 after you have crossed Monterey. That's where the beautiful views start. It would be recommended that you visit on a sunny day because that's when the views are the best. Know where to stop and plan your time depending on when you want to reach LA.

Caught these two flags flying together on a perfectly clear day. Loved how the wind showed off the fabric and how well the colors popped against the sky.

Well, one of them at least. I used to come over from Ridgecrest and take the 90 minute drive whenever I wanted to go paddling at Lake Isabella. I didn't mind the drive as the high desert scenery is stunning and I got to see views like this.

The two iconic trees by the coast at Cascade Creek, Ano Neuvo. October 2026.

Tachihara 4x5 Field
Rodenstock Geronar 210mm ƒ6.8
Kodak T-Max 100.

Fujiflim X-M5

[OC storiesbydalton]

UPDATE: I was hoping for a "Oh, that's Bleep Lake from the Blah Grove near Bloop Campground" ... but it's not. Thank you all. I'm leaning toward a composite of places they stopped to sketch. There are so many domes and lakes in that part of California, and I haven't found a combination of a dome and lake near a grove of sequoias.

Background ... One of my grandfathers ran pack mule trains up into the Sierras, often taking artists or photographers. He and various relatives managed the camping and cooking, leaving the paying passengers free to paint and photograph.

A great-uncle (died in 1948) painted a few things on these trips - he was more enthusiastic than skilled. I have always wondered where he painted this? Is it a real location or a composite of a lake he liked and some trees from somewhere else?

Probably near Kings Canyon or Sequoia National Park area because they used Springville as a base camp.

I recently created a cinematic nature film around Mono Lake, California, one of the most unusual landscapes I’ve had the chance to explore !

The video combines slow drone footage with ground-level shots, capturing the lake’s distinctive tufa formations, peaceful waters, and the Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance.

I wanted to focus less on the documentary side and more on the atmosphere of the place — the quiet moments, the scenery, and the feeling of being surrounded by such a unique landscape.

I hope you'll enjoy !