Pacific Photo Tours

Imagine photographing in paradise. That’s what it’s often like on our photo tours to destinations in the Pacific region. Tropical beaches, colorful flora and fauna, lush rain forests, and warm weather are but a few of the ingredients that make these trips so inviting and productive. But, ultimately, it’s the photography that makes our Pacific Photo Tours so memorable.

We’re here to answer your questions about any of the trips that interest you, so don’t hesitate to Contact Us !

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Ultimate Galápagos

Our signature two-week extended voyage around Darwin's enchanted islands. The most exciting and comprehensive Galápagos itinerary we've ever offered. Visit virtually all of the most spectacular photo locations. Fantastic boat, great shooting, good food, tropical sunshine, and lots of fun!

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New Zealand's South Island

New Zealand—a canvas painted by nature’s brushstrokes. This 13-day photo adventure immerses you in sparkling glaciers, ancient forests, mirrored lakes, and rugged fiords. From the snow-capped Southern Alps to the dramatic coast, every frame captures the untouched beauty of Middle Earth.

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Pacific Northwest & California

About this tour.

From the wilds of Mount St. Helens to the shadow of giants in the Redwoods, fall under the spell of the Pacific Northwest and California. Travel along Oregon’s beautiful coast, making stops at Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, Bandon and Coos Bay. Explore Oregon's wilderness on a Rogue River cruise. Visit Redwood National Park's Avenue of the Giants. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and discover the “City by the Bay,” San Francisco. Explore the natural beauty from Seattle to San Francisco.

Your Tour Includes

  • 5 Handpicked Accommodations

Included Highlights

  • Mount St. Helens Visitor Center
  • Columbia River Gorge

Your Tour at a Glance

6 Breakfasts

2 - Moderate

Travel Style

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Activity Level

  • Level This Tour

For specific details about this tour's activity level and other info to know before you book your trip, click here.

Extension Style

Travel styles, highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

  • Embark on a sightseeing tour of Seattle, the "Emerald City."

Explore Oregon’s diverse coast featuring sea stacks and rock formations.

  • Behold the majestic beauty of the Redwood Forest's "Avenue of the Giants."

Cultural Experiences:

  • Visit lively Pike Place Market, Seattle's famous fish and vegetable market.

Venture to Mount St. Helens Visitor Center to learn about its volcanic activity.

Visit Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls.

Culinary Inclusions:

Savor a wine-tasting while gazing at views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.

  • Yaquina Head Lighthouse
  • Bandon State Natural Area
  • Rogue River Cruise
  • Redwood National Park
  • Avenue of the Giants
  • San Francisco

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* With Insurance Purchased

  • *No Hassle Refunds
  • Traveling Well Safety
  • No booking fee, *no change fees
  • Top Rated Travel Protection

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Getting Prepared

Know before you go, travel tips, enhance your tour.

Pre and Post Tour Extensions

Pre and Post Night Stay

Unique Experience

Cultural Experiences

Enhance Your Trip

  • Tour Extensions

Hosted

Add a night in Seattle before your tour begins. Your hotel, the Thompson Seattle, is conveniently located steps away from Pike Place Market on a bustling street lined with cafes, shops and restaurants (the original Starbucks is right around the corner from your hotel). Also within walking distance are museums and local landmarks. Enjoy a guided "Insider's" tour of Pike Place market followed by a visit to the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, a monument to art as glass featuring an astounding display of Dale Chihuly's installations. Hosted You’re accompanied by a Tour Manager part of the time, for some guided excursions. The rest of the time, you’re at leisure to explore the destination your own way.

  • Seattle, Washington
  • Arrive in Seattle, the Emerald City on Puget Sound. Check into your hotel and enjoy time on your own to settle in. A local representative will meet you at the hotel to assist with recommendations on how you can spend your afternoon and evening.
  • After breakfast, join a local guide on a walking tour of the famed Pike Place Market – one of the country’s oldest farmers markets – on Seattle’s bustling waterfront. All of your senses will be engaged as you have fun exploring the historic arcade and winding alleys. Later, travel like a local on Seattle’s Monorail to the Seattle Center. Take your time visiting the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass – a monument to art as glass featuring an astounding display of Dale Chihuly’s installations. Your entry includes 8 galleries, the central Glasshouse, and a sculpture garden.

Hotel-Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA

Embark on a sightseeing tour of Seattle, the "Emerald City."

Behold the majestic beauty of the Redwood Forest's "Avenue of the Giants."

Visit lively Pike Place Market, Seattle's famous fish and vegetable market.

Accommodations

Thompson seattle, portland marriott downtown waterfront, the mill casino, best western plus bayshore inn, hyatt regency san francisco downtown soma, stay longer.

Post Night: Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA From $160 per night

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Oregon & washington photo tour.

Our Pacific Northern Coast Photo Tour is an amazing adventure to capture some of the most beautiful wonders of the United States. During this trip, we will visit places like Mount Hood, Crater Lake, Mount St. Helens , and the Oregon and Washington Coasts . An area with plenty of wildflowers, forests, and waterfalls will be our goal during this workshop.

Traveling small groups of 6 persons by photographer guide with experience in the area, we will visit incredible landscapes with snow-capped peaks, cliffs, beaches, and cascading waterfalls . A unique adventure to photograph the best landscapes of the United States . 

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Photographer Guide

Hugo Valle Photographer Guide

Hugo Valle is an Asturian landscape photographer living in the Aragonese Pyrenees who began his career in the world of photography in 2011, with the help of a modest bridge camera. From 2012 to the present, he has tried tirelessly to combine his dedication to photography with his passion for traveling. Which has allowed him to know and capture the most beautiful landscapes around the world; discovering in the cold and snowy areas, the mountains and the Asturian coast their favorite settings.

Complementaries

  • DSLR or mirrorless camera, tripod and remote shutter
  • Wide angle lens (14-24mm as example)
  • Standard lens (24-70mm as example)
  • Telephoto lens (70-200mm as example)

Photographic lessons

  • Composition
  • Digital Workflow
  • Panoramic Photography
  • Depth of Field calculation
  • Focal Blending
  • Blue Hour Photography
  • Night photography
  • Filters, Neutral Density and Neutral Density Grads
  • Photoshop and Lightroom post-processing workflow

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  • Travel Planning Guide

The Best Sightseeing Tours in the Pacific

the Pacific

Prepare yourself for an extraordinary journey with one of these amazing sightseeing tours in the Pacific. Our extensive research has led us to uncover the finest journeys available, carefully analyzed from a diverse range of offerings from highly regarded travel companies. Every aspect, from pricing and guest ratings to service quality, destinations, and activities, has been taken into account. Whether you're an experienced explorer or venturing to new places for the first time, these thoughtfully selected sightseeing tours promise an unforgettable adventure in the Pacific.

  • Oz East Coast + Work 20 Days 20 Days, $2449.00
  • Amplified NZ Tour 16 Days, $2683.43
  • Southern Loop 7 Days, $1028.68

What are sightseeing tours like in the Pacific?

the Pacific

Here are the important factors:

  • 56 trip options analyzed
  • $348 average price per day (USD)
  • 3 to 20 days in length
  • 4.69 of 5 average rating
  • 34 people or less on average

You'll be surprised at the array of sightseeing tours in the Pacific, as there is something for everyone. It's no wonder that visitors can't get enough of these tours, boasting an impressive average guest rating of 4.69 out of 5 stars. Picture yourself joining a group of like-minded adventurers, with an average maximum size of 34 people, ensuring a fantastic blend of social and personalized experiences. The average tour length spans 9 days, with tours ranging from 3 to 20 days long. Regarding physical activity options, you'll find tours marked as easy, moderate, serious, heart-pumping, and relaxing, with the most being easy. With our thorough analysis of 56 sightseeing tours, we've found the best. So rest assured that the Pacific has something to captivate every kind of traveler.

(All tour prices are in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically.)

So, let's get to it and see...

The 10 Best Sightseeing Tours in the Pacific

Oz east coast + work 20 days.

  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for sightseeing tours.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

This fantastic voyage has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Discover a journey that spans 9 destinations, with notable stops in Magnetic Island, Mission Beach, Great Barrier Reef, and Noosa. Your journey will begin in Brisbane and end in Cairns. Lasting 20 days, the maximum group size is 22 people, and it's good for guests from 18 to 35 years old. Organized by INTRO Travel , this is a great deal because it's only $122 per day.

  • Sightseeing

Amplified NZ Tour

  • On Sale: 10% Off See Prices

With a stellar 4.5 out of 5 rating, this extraordinary trip is the perfect choice. This trip takes you on an adventure to 21 destinations, including Coromandel, Whitianga, Hahei, and Rotorua. Begin your trip in Auckland and complete it with a memorable finale in Christchurch. Spanning across 16 days, the trip accommodates 16 individuals, and is suitable for guests from 18 to 49 years old. Offered by Haka Tours , this remarkable trip is priced at just $151 per day. Don't miss out on this incredible experience.

  • In-depth Cultural

Southern Loop

This exceptional trip offering by Wild Kiwi has received a 5 out of 5 rating. On this 7-day journey you can unwind while also making new memories. With 5 destinations to explore, you'll get the chance to see Punakaiki, Abel Tasman National Park, and Blenheim, and more. Christchurch kicks off your expedition, serving as both the starting and finishing point. With a group size of 18 people, it's suitable for guests from 18 to 39 years old. This remarkable trip is priced at an unbeatable $169 per day.

Legendary NZ Tour

Check out this trip that has received rave reviews, earning a stellar 4.8 out of 5 rating. Along the way, this journey encompasses 19 destinations, including Taupo, Wellington, Kaikoura, and Christchurch. Your journey will begin in Auckland and end in Wellington. Spanning across 20 unforgettable days, this voyage offers an intimate group experience with 16 participants, and it's great for guests from 18 to 49 years old. Brought to you by the renowned Haka Tours , this exceptional opportunity is priced at an incredible $165 per day - an unbeatable value.

Coasts & Culture Tour in reverse

This 7-day trip is ideal for guests from 18 to 39 years old. And priced at only $160 per day, it's a great value, too. This itinerary covers 10 captivating destinations, with stops in Hahei, Whitianga, Tongariro National Park, and Taupo, among others. Begin your trip in Wellington and complete it with a memorable finale in Auckland. It's offered by Haka Tours , a very popular company with rave reviews and knowledgeable guides.

Coasts & Culture Tour

Priced at just $160 per day, this terrific 7-day trip is ideal for guests from 18 to 39 years old. Immerse yourself in a travel experience that includes 10 destinations, featuring Tongariro National Park, Coromandel, Whitianga, and Hahei. Your journey starts off in Auckland and finishes in Wellington. Organized by the reputable Haka Tours , this is one of the best tours on this list.

Check out this incredible trip that has received a 4.8 out of 5 rating from previous guests. With a duration of 14 days, this journey ensures an intimate group size of 18 people, and is good for guests from 18 to 39 years old. Uncover the beauty of 9 destinations on this itinerary, with highlights such as Franz Josef, Punakaiki, Abel Tasman National Park, and Marlborough. Christchurch will be the beginning and end of your trip. This fantastic option, organized by Wild Kiwi , presents an unbeatable value at just $172 per day.

South Island Lick Tour

Spanning over 7 days, this journey has a maximum size of 16 individuals. Welcoming guests from 18 to 39 years old, it is organized by Haka Tours , a very popular company with plenty of great reviews. Traverse through 6 enchanting destinations, with Wanaka, Queenstown, Lake Wanaka, and Lake Tekapo among the must-see stops along the route. Begin and conclude your remarkable journey in the gorgeous destination of Christchurch. Available at an unbeatable price of only $160 per day, this option also has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from previous guests.

Northern Voyager

  • On Sale: 12% Off See Prices

Here's your chance to take off on an exceptional journey that has garnered a 4.9 out of 5 rating. With a duration of 7 days, this jouney will have 18 participants, and it warmly welcomes guests from 18 to 39 years old. Expertly organized by Wild Kiwi , this amazing trip is an incredible value at just $151 per day.

New Zealand Explorer

This memorable voyage is offered by Wild Kiwi which has received plenty of positive reviews. The trip itself has a guest rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, and is priced affordably at $160 per day. Experience a trip that takes you to 11 remarkable destinations, including Hahei, Rotorua, Taupo, and Waitomo. Your journey will begin in Auckland and end in Christchurch. The maximum group size is 18 people, welcoming guests from 18 to 39 years old.

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to the Pacific , The Best Wildlife Tours to the Pacific , The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in the Pacific , The Best Historical Tours in the Pacific , The Best 10-Day Tours in the Pacific , The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in the Pacific , The Best 3-Day Tours in the Pacific , The Best 2-Week Tours in the Pacific , The Best 3-Week Tours in the Pacific , The Best Extended Trip Tours in the Pacific, One Month or Longer , The Best Bicycle Tours in the Pacific , Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in the Pacific , The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in the Pacific , The Best Overlanding Trips in the Pacific , The Best Coach Bus Tours in the Pacific , The Best Adventure Tours to the Pacific , The Best Eco Tours in the Pacific , The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in the Pacific , The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in the Pacific , The Best Cultural Tours in the Pacific , The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in the Pacific , The Best Food and Culinary Tours in the Pacific , The Tours for Animal Lovers in the Pacific , The Best Camping Tours in the Pacific , The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in the Pacific , The Best Self Drive Tours in the Pacific , The Best Safaris in the Pacific , The Best Budget Safaris in the Pacific , The Best Walking Tours in the Pacific , The Best Tours Under $1000 in the Pacific , The Best Luxury Tours to the Pacific , The Best Budget Tours to the Pacific , The Best Tours for Seniors to the Pacific , The Best Contiki Tours to the Pacific , or The Best G Adventures Tours to the Pacific for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.

How much do sightseeing tours in the Pacific cost?

Visitors will find a large range of terrific options for sightseeing tours when planning a visit to the Pacific. The price of these specific trips can vary according to length, destinations, and travel style. The average price of sightseeing tours in the Pacific based on data from 56 options is an affordable $348 per day. If you're interested in more information about tours here, see our guide to tour prices in the Pacific .

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Pacific Tours & Trips

Find the right tour package for you through Pacific. We've got 483 trips going to Pacific, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 96 days. The most popular month to go is July, which has the most tour departures.

250+ Pacific tour packages with 1,756 reviews

Galápagos Adventure: Snorkelling & Sea Lions Tour

  • In-depth Cultural
  • Christmas & New Year

Galápagos Adventure: Snorkelling & Sea Lions

Excellent tour, I really enjoyed everything about it. And our tour guide Danilo was amazing. I really recommend G Adventures.

Galápagos Multisport Tour

  • Ocean Cruise

Galápagos Multisport

One of the best vacations we have ever taken! Dream of a lifetime trip! Dario, our tour leader was exceptional! It was very active, which we loved, but still had free time as well. Very well balanced! We saw so many animals!

Best of Galapagos Tour

Best of Galapagos

good guides. nice variety

Galapagos Discovery Tour

Galapagos Discovery

Beside the magnificence of the place and its residents, our guide, Priscila Sotomayor, was also exceptional. Very knowledgeable, always sharing information and answering all sort of questions while preparing us every day as well for what it would be the next experience. She also provided a very kind and special attention to every single need of the group participants. Visiting Galapagos is a great experience. Tourradar, through Intrepid and its staff made it very pleasant to me.

Affordable Galapagos 8 Days Tour Tour

  • Hiking & Trekking

Affordable Galapagos 8 Days Tour

The tour started very badly when no guide arrived for the first evening orientation and no-one was at the hotel the next morning as promised to take us to the airport. Once in the Galapagos most activities went very well. One tour contact did not speak English but otherwise the guides were very good. We have not had any contact with GuideEcuador since the beginning.and no follow up as to a promise of making amends for the frustration felt when we were very concerned that maybe there was no trip to be had. Jose and Sofia in San Cristobal, Dario in Santa Cruz and Paola on Isabella were excellent. The snorkelling guide on Isabella was very poor in organization and instruction. We had expected a follow up from Guide Ecuador
  • 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

10 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela Tour

10 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela

This was THE vacation of a lifetime. We saw SO MANY animals, and truly had our dream vacation. All of the accommodations in Quito, Santa Cruz Island, and Isabella Island were wonderful, and added to this amazing experience. All of the pickup & drop off arrangements, and provided instructions were worry-free. We went on this tour during the COVID-19 pandemic, and all safety precautions were adhered to. We felt so safe in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. We couldn't be happier with this vacation and absolutely recommend this tour.
  • Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Hawaiian Explorer (8 Days, Intra Tour Air Hilo To Kahului) Tour

Hawaiian Explorer (8 Days, Intra Tour Air Hilo To Kahului)

  • €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Magical Galapagos (5 Days) Tour

Magical Galapagos (5 Days)

Great tour! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a short trip to the Galapagos. Our activities included snorkeling multiples times with sea lions, sea turtles, sharks and many different exotic schools of fish. We also went to two different tortoise sanctuaries, a flamingo watering hole and even saw a few penguins! The food included in the tour was also great.

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure Tour

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure

Go For It! A truly amazing Active Adventure!

5 Days San Cristobal Island Wonders Tour

5 Days San Cristobal Island Wonders

Feejee Five Tour

Feejee Five

I had an absolutely amazing 10 days trip in Fiji. The tour was perfectly organised, with a lot of activities. Everything was perfect. I had such a great full immersion in the Fijian culture. Highly recommended a tour with them.

Galapagos Multisport Tour

Galapagos Multisport

While there were a few small glitches and communication issues, the guides handled it well and kept the itinerary on track. The guides were solid and the activities were exciting and matched what was described and expected.

Hawaiian Discovery (11 Days, Intra Tour Air Hilo To Kahului) Tour

Hawaiian Discovery (11 Days, Intra Tour Air Hilo To Kahului)

Galapagos Experience: 5 days Tour

Galapagos Experience: 5 days

  • €134 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

6-Days trip to Easter Island Tour

  • Sightseeing

6-Days trip to Easter Island

Everything went as planned. Louis, our driver cum guide was very helpful. Louis helped my husband with hand support when ever possible since he had surgery in his left leg just a week earlier. Except for delays by Latam Airlines, the tour was good. Covered quite a bit in 2 full days. The day of our arrival, we walked from hotel to see sunset of Ahu Tahai. Wish they could have helped with sunrise at Tongariki. We hired a taxi. At the spot we did see the Mahinaturs, the local company outsourced. Was disappointed that they couldn’t help with this. Last 2 days we did few things on our own. 4 days and 3 nights is plenty time. We did 5 nights and 6 days. ????????

What people love about Pacific Tours

This was a great tour, the galápagos is amazing! G-adventure has a well organized tour. There are some early morning days but they don't matter because you are in the Galápagos! The rooms are basic but have air conditioning which is good since it is very hot there. José was a fantastic guide and had so much knowledge about the islands. Definitely choose the add-on snorkeling trips they are worth it. I think the Galápagos needs to be on everyone's list.
This tour is intended for people who are physically fit,able to walk 6 kilometers a day, love to kayak/snorkel/swim/bike, and still have plenty of energy to enjoy the wildlife. I cannot cope up with the group, but luckily our CEO offered me options like museum visit, tour to Tntoreras. I still was able yo see all the wildlife I need to see exvept the cormorant. I did not expect to stay in a 5 star hotel. I find the accommodation suitable enough for my needs: comfortable bed, air condition, water, electricity, wifi. Special thanks to Sandra, CEO. She is one of the best tour guides I met in my years of travel. She is a great listener and teacher. She was born in Santa Cruz. She knows Galapagos like the palm of her hand.
Amazing experience, and our guide was so knowledgeable and resourceful.

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Untouched pacific islands tour code: mcup, south pacific explorer tour code: mcsp.

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Big Sur river flowing out into the Pacific Ocean at Andrew Molera State Park south of Monterey, CA, Big Sur, California, USA.

The Best Pacific Coast Highway Photo Spots: Our Complete Guide (with map!)

The Californian coast has been the backdrop of countless iconic films and more than a few default desktop backgrounds. A single road, the Pacific Coast Highway, stretches for almost 700 miles all the way from the redwood forests of Northern California to the nearly tropical beaches of Orange County.

In our list of the 26 best photo spots along the Pacific Coast Highway, you'll find places to capture rugged cliffs, rustic lighthouses, iconic bridges, and sun-soaked scenes of life by the sea. This scenic road is dotted with perfect photo ops.

In the age of Instagram, increasingly niche and spectacular sights to be seen along the California coast are reaching a new global audience. Why not take your own picture-perfect trip along one of America's most famous coastlines?

If you'd like to see a full table with each photo listed individually, just skip to the end of this article for our summary . And if you'd like to see where our photo spots fall along the route itself, take a look at the map we have included below.

Before you set out on the Pacific Coast Highway: Fern Canyon, Redwood National and State Parks

2 hours 30 minutes (135 miles) north of Leggett

19 hours 25 minutes (840 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: This is a bonus in the far north of California that you won't want to miss if you plan on driving the whole California coast. In case you haven't noticed, there are many places where CA-1 and US-101 overlap.

Though the US-101 has some inland stretches, in the northern reaches of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, it becomes a breathtaking coastal route after CA-1 officially ends in Leggett.

Fern Canyon sits in Redwood National and State Parks and is reachable after a moderate 5-mile hike along the James Irvine Trail. It is truly awe-inspiring; once you're here you feel like you've reached a land that time forgot. Even the amazing pictures you can take here won't truly do it justice.

A view of Fern Canyon, with two sides of the canyon covered in green fern, and a fallen tree in the middle

How to get there: Hop on US-101 North from Leggett, driving past Eureka and Arcata, all the way to Berry Glenn. Once you pass the few motels in town, look out for the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway on your left. This will take you to the visitor center and trailhead to Fern Canyon.

Best time to visit: Being a temperate rainforest, you are liable to catch a drizzly day any time of the year. Due to the dense foliage, this is a place you can photograph during midday without it seeming washed out. The morning is also a great time to take pics here.

Bonus: Fern Canyon was used to portray the untamed world where dinosaurs roam in “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” (1997) as well as in “The Tree of Life” (2011).

Where to park: This is one of the few spots on this list without nearby parking. Fern Canyon is at least a few miles' hike from the nearest parking lot in the park near the Prairie Creek Visitor Center.

1. Coast Highway Lookout

40 minutes (20 miles) from Leggett

16 hours 10 minutes (675 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: If you plan on driving the Pacific Coast Highway (CA Route 1) all the way from its origin in Leggett, this is the first place where you get a panoramic view of the rugged Mendocino Coast.

A typical outlook on the Pacific Coast Highway, a view onto the ocean and rugged rocks during sunset

Where is it located on the route: This lookout is located directly on the route.

Best time to visit: There's no such thing as unflattering light for a view like this. As with all the stops on this coastal trip, the golden hour before the sun sets over the distant horizon of the Pacific Ocean will be particularly magical.

To capture the deep blue hues of the water, anytime in the morning before the sun gets too high in the sky will also be good.

Note that the summer can actually be a foggy time of the year, so spring and fall will provide the clearest morning and evening skies.

Where to park: While there isn't a dedicated parking lot, this lonely stretch of road has a wide gravel shoulder where you can stop to take pics and revel in the coastal views.

2. Glass Beach, Fort Bragg

1 hour 10 minutes (40 miles) from Leggett

15 hours 45 minutes (655 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: Few would believe that the many hues of smooth, pebble-sized glass which make up Glass Beach are the remnants of an old dump site. In addition to being an inspiring story of trash turned into treasure, this is a fun beach for macro and sunset photography.

Tower of polished sea glass pebbles on Glass Beach in MacKerricher State Park, California

Where is it located on the route: This photo-perfect beach is located on the route.

Best time to visit: This beach is best suited for the sunset when you can get stunning pictures of amber sunlight gilding the multicolored pieces of glass.

Bonus: While Glass Beach itself hasn't been featured in any major shows or films, Fort Bragg has been the backdrop of a few scenes from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” (1975) and “The Majestic” (2001).

Where to park: There's a dedicated parking lot for Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. You'll have to walk a little way and down some uneven stairs to get to the beach.

Please check our comprehensive guide out to learn more:

READ MORE - Our Guide to Glass Beach

3. Bodega Bay

4 hours (150 miles) from Leggett

13 hours 5 minutes (545 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: In addition to being a seaside town that is easy on the eyes and bursting with leisure activities, from hiking and kayaking to wine tasting, there are several historic buildings here that have featured prominently in a classic Hitchcock film.

Rolling waves crashing towards the rugged, wildflower-topped coastline of Bodega Bay, California

Where is it located on the route: This is another scenic photo spot that is located directly en route.

Best time to visit: The summer months tend to bring in the morning fog. This is one location where the fog might work to your advantage if you want to recreate any scenes shot by the master of suspense films himself.

Bonus: Bodega Bay is the well-known filming location of Alfred Hitchcock's avian horror film "The Birds" (1963). Fans of the director and weekend vacationers continue to flock to this harbor town.

Potter Schoolhouse and the Tides Wharf and Restaurant are two buildings whose exteriors you might recognize from the film. The former is currently a private residence so be respectful of their privacy if you want to take pictures there.

Where to park: There are several parking lots and places to park along the street, but keep in mind that weekends, particularly in the summer, can get busy.

4. Muir Beach Overlook

5 hours 20 minutes (200 miles) from Leggett

12 hours (495 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: Many people who make the short trip north from San Francisco to see Muir Woods miss out on the breathtaking coastal views, a narrow ridge trail, and WWII-era base end stations at Muir Beach Overlook in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

A walkway leads to the observation deck, with the views of the blue ocean on a summer day

Where is it located on the route: This overlook is located on the route as you approach San Francisco, so you won't need to take a detour.

Best time to visit: While many people flock here for the perfect sunset shot, we think it is stunning any time of the day. In the late morning you can catch many contrasting hues between the ocean, sandy paths, and hills covered in chaparral.

This overlook is at its most photogenic on a clear day, when you can see features of San Francisco as well as the Farallon Islands, so spring and fall would be better times to photograph this area with peak visibility.

Bonus: If you skip Muir Woods (next on list) and take CA-1 from Muir Beach to Mill Valley and US-101, you'll be driving on the same scenic stretch of road as Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone in that hair-raising car chase scene in “Basic Instinct” (1992).

Where to park: You can park in a nearby lot that also has some basic amenities.

5. Muir Woods National Monument

5 hours 30 minutes (200 miles) from Leggett

11 hours 50 minutes (490 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: Muir Woods is simply enchanting. For decades it has attracted tourists and professional photographers alike who seek to capture the sun streaming between gigantic trunks of old-growth redwoods, highlighting the emerald ferns below.

Hiking trail going through redwood forest of Muir Woods National Monument

Where is it located on the route: Muir Woods National Monument is located slightly inland from CA Route 1. Just after Muir Beach take a left on to Frank Valley Road, which will take you to the visitor center and several trailheads.

Best time to visit: For the most dramatic lighting when the sun hits the forest at an angle, aim to be in Muir Woods in the early morning or late afternoon.

Being a temperate forest, it never gets too hot or too cold here, but it can get very foggy. Sometimes this is a nice effect to photograph and you'll most likely see mist among the trees between May and August.

Bonus: Oddly enough, Muir Woods was the setting of a movie that was actually filmed elsewhere. The titular apes in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011) made Muir Woods their home on the edge of the San Francisco Bay Area, but these forest scenes were shot in British Columbia:

Where to park: As a national monument, there are parking lots and amenities in Muir Woods, but due to the grove's overwhelming popularity, there's a very slim chance of getting a parking spot on a weekend or holiday.

To help maintain accessibility, the park runs a shuttle from a free parking lot in nearby Larkspur on weekends and holidays.

6. Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoint

6 hours (220 miles) from Leggett

11 hours 25 minutes (480 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: This is perhaps the most iconic photo spot on the entire trip. An engineering marvel from the great depression, the copper-red cables of the Golden Gate Bridge are recognizable the world over.

On one side you have the great expanse of the Pacific Ocean and on the other glimpses of sleek and stylish San Francisco. This viewpoint in the Marin Headlands is itself a gorgeous area to explore after you take the requisite bridge pic.

Best time to go to San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge and explore the city

Where is it located on the route: CA Route 1 joins US Route 101 in Manzanita and heads towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Before you reach the bridge take the Alexander Avenue exit and follow Bunker Road and McCullough Road to Conzelman Road where the viewpoint is.

Best time to visit: Once again, this is a place that takes on a whole different life during the golden hour around sunset, though a sunrise pic from here can also be inspiring.

If you want a clear, panoramic view, then avoid the morning fog of the summer months.

Bonus: From the opening of the late 80s sitcom “Full House” to being destroyed in countless movies – check the bridge's Wikipedia page for the complete list – just one glimpse of this bridge tells you you're in San Francisco.

Perhaps the only other iconic American structure with more cinematic clout is the Statue of Liberty in New York.

Where to park: There's a parking lot for this popular overlook on Conzelman Road, just a few minutes' walk from the viewpoint. Here you'll also find restrooms and a few trails in case you feel like stretching your legs on a hike with spectacular views.

7. Lombard Street, San Francisco

11 hours 15 minutes (475 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: In the midst of famously hilly San Francisco, Lombard Street adds an additional challenge for drivers on one of its steeper sections coiled into eight hairpin turns.

Often touted as the “most crooked street in the world,” Lombard Street is one of the most recognizable residential areas in San Francisco on account of its unconventional angles.

Lombard Street in San Francisco, California

Where is it located on the route: This world-famous photo spot is located in San Francisco, so you will need to make a short detour into the city from the Pacific Coast Highway.

How to get there: After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge CA-1 and US-101 split up again. To get to Lombard Street, follow US-101 South for 4 miles through the city.

Best time to visit: Due to the east-west orientation of the street as well as its slope, it catches better light in the morning. Also, the meticulously maintained gardens of the million-dollar homes which line the street are especially colorful in the late spring.

Bonus: Lombard Street looks like a tongue-twister became a road, making it an especially wacky spot for chase scenes, like in the movies “What's Up, Doc?” (1972) and “Ant-Man and the Wasp” (2018). An animated version of its classic curves is also featured in Pixar's “Inside Out”(2015).

Where to park: There is parking at Lombard Gardens on Hyde Street. Also, consider checking out George Sterling Park nearby. Here you can get some fantastic views of San Francisco and see the Golden Gate Bridge from a new angle.

8. Half Moon Bay

6 hours 40 minutes (245 miles) from Fort Bragg

10 hours 40 minutes (450 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: Half Moon Bay is a small fishing and agricultural town with charm to spare. Here we've given the coordinates for Miramontes Point, an ideal place to take pictures of coastal cliffs.

If you make this trip in the early spring, the bluffs will be covered with bright yellow mustard and other wildflowers.

Half Moon Bay, California, USA with a view of San Gregorio State Beach and Pacific Ocean at sunset with cliffs in the distance.

Where is it located on the route: Take CA-1 through the main drag of Half Moon Bay, on your right look out for Miramontes Point Road which will take you to one of many local viewpoints over the Pacific Ocean.

Best time to visit: Depending on the vibe you want to capture, you can take great photographs here at any time of the day or year. Half Moon Bay has many curves, coves, and cliffs, meaning you can shoot the water and surrounding hills from many aesthetically pleasing angles.

Boats are another subject you'll have an opportunity to click photos of at the nearby Pillar Point Harbor.

Bonus: A surprising variety of films have shot one or more scenes in Half Moon Bay, including “The Right Stuff” (1983), “American Wedding” (2003), “The Etruscan Smile” (2018), and one of our favorite cult classics “Harold and Maude” (1971).

Just north of Half Moon Bay you'll find the quiet Moss Beach. Producers of “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2005) found the area so strikingly similar to the coast of Japan, that they constructed a fake Japanese house on one of the bluffs of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve for a brief scene of a fishing village.

Where to park: There is parking at the trailhead for the California Coastal Trail on Miramontes Point Road, as well as near the beach and at the harbor.

9. Pigeon Point Lighthouse

7 hours (270 miles) from Leggett

10 hours 10 minutes (430 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: Towering 115 feet over a boulder-strewn bluff, separating verdant fields from the azure ocean, the shimmering, white pillar of Pigeon Point Lighthouse has been a beacon on the Pacific Coast since 1872.

Tourists and photographers have flocked here for almost as long and it is often cited as the most photographed lighthouse in California.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse on the coastline in Pescadero, California

Where is it located on the route: This beautiful lighthouse is located on the route past Pescadero.

Best time to visit: Counterintuitively, this lighthouse perched on the very edge of the West Coast is best suited to the morning light of the sunrise. While during the sunset you might get the rich orange and red hues, they backlight the lighthouse.

This could work if you want to capture a silhouette against a stunning background, but not so much if you're interested in capturing the details of the lighthouse as a structure.

The lighthouse was first lit on November 15, 1872, and every year on or around November 15th there's commemorative lighting which provides a unique opportunity for some nighttime shots using a tripod.

Bonus: Despite its charm and undeniable photogenic setting, Pigeon Point isn't a particularly famous lighthouse. It did make an appearance in the star-studded, but critically panned, “Final Analysis” (1992).

Where to park: This is a remote rural location, so there is plenty of parking along the street leading to the lighthouse. It can sometimes be crowded on sunny weekends.

10. Shark Fin Cove

7 hours 20 minutes (280 miles) from Leggett

10 hours (415 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: A recent study has shown that sharks are near swimmers in CA waters a shocking 97% of the time. Luckily, Shark Fin Cove gets its name from an uncanny rock formation, and it is one of the most beautiful hidden beaches in Northern California.

Many people also set up frame-in-frame shots of the Shark Fin outcrop from a cave located along the cove.

Santa Cruz, California, USA taken at Shark Fin Cove at sunset with a calm sea.

Where is it located on the route: A little further ahead as you drive south on PCH, you will reach this spot past Davenport.

Best time to visit: On a warm sunny day, expect to have lots of beachgoers in your shot. If you want to capture a people-free nature shot without the need for Photoshop, come on a cool, clear winter day. This is also a prime location for spectacular sunset photography.

Bonus: This eye-catching cove hasn't made it to the silver screen yet, but it would be an enticing setting for an amateur film.

Where to park: Shark Fin Cove has a dedicated parking lot located right on CA-1.

11. Monterey

8 hours 20 minutes (335 miles) from Leggett

8 hours 45 minutes (360 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: With panoramic ocean views, charming streets, and a world-class aquarium, anyone who's ever been to Monterey knows that it would serve as a beautiful backdrop and many filmmakers have incorporated its cypress-strewn beaches into their work.

A pod of long-beaked common dolphins leap out of the water in Monterey Bay, California.

Where is it located on the route: The town is located between CA-1 and the ocean, on a small peninsula. Take the Del Monte of Fremont Street Exits and follow signs to Cannery Row or Pacific Grove depending on where you want to hold your photo shoot.

Best time to visit: Once again, be prepared for fog during the warmer months. The weather and views are at their best in the spring and the fall. Parts of the town and coast can be captured any time and this is a location that deserves a whole day of exploration at the very least.

Bonus: Glimpses of Monterey can be seen in blockbusters like “Forrest Gump” (1994) and “Legally Blonde” (2001). Most recently it has served as the primary setting for HBO's “Big Little Lies" (2017-2019).

Linking art and life, "Cannery Row" (1982) is a movie shot in Monterey based on former resident John Steinbeck's Depression-era novel. Finally, dedicated Trekkies will remember the humpback whale scenes and shots of the Monterey Bay Aquarium from “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” (1986).

Where to park: There are parking garages near Cannery Row and all along Ocean View Blvd. If you're more interested in nature photography, there's parking at the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove and at Asilomar State Beach.

12. Carmel-By-The-Sea Beach

8 hours 30 minutes (340 miles) from Leggett

8 hours 35 minutes (360 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: Beyond being a picturesque coastal town with white sand beaches and old-world charm, Carmel-by-the-Sea has had star power at its helm. Acclaimed actor and director Clint Eastwood was once the town's mayor and has shot several films here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California - January 29 2019: Sometimes called simply Carmel, it is a small town with a rich artistic history located on the Monterey Peninsula, in Monterey County, California.

Where is it located on the route: Similar to Monterey, Carmel is located between CA-1 and the sea and you'll have to make a quick hop off the freeway along Ocean Avenue to get to the town and beach.

Best time to visit: While sunsets at the beach are a popular subject of photos, the town looks cute as ever in the morning light.

Carmel turns up the charm even higher during the weeks leading up to Christmas. This would be a great place to take a family holiday pic for a Christmas card.

Bonus: In addition to Eastwood's "Mystic River" (2003) and "Million Dollar Baby" (2004), scenes from “Basic Instinct” (1992), “Hail, Caesar!”(2016), and the original “Parent Trap” (1961) were shot in Carmel.

Where to park: Carmel is a tiny, walkable town with several public parking lots on Torres Street and Ocean Avenue. On weekends and holidays, you might be hard-pressed to find a spot around mealtimes and sunset.

13. Calla Lily Valley

8 hours 40 minutes (350 miles) from Leggett

8 hours 20 minutes (350 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: It's almost like Big Sur has an inexplicable inferiority complex and is constantly trying to outdo itself. This otherwise unassuming valley towards the north of this famous coast bursts into a spectacular carpet of calla lilies every spring.

White Cala Lilies with the view of the ocean waves in the background. Photo taken in spring

Where is it located on the route: Right on CA-1 a few miles south of Carmel, look out for a dirt turnout on your right shoulder and the beginning of the Garrapata Trail which goes to Garrapata Beach. The lilies are to be seen along the trail.

Best time to visit: Of course, the proverb claims there is no need to gild the lily, but these lilies sure do look amazing in the light of the golden hour. If you can't make it for sunset, the bright white of the lilies at midday contrasts beautifully with the deep blue of the ocean background.

The pristine, alabaster lilies take over the valley floor in the early spring. Not that this isn't a beautiful place to explore year-round, but for capturing the calla lilies in their full glory aim to come between late January and early April.

Bonus: This is a photo spot that has gained fame during this age of Instagram, rather than from any big screen appearances.

Where to park: There isn't much parking save for the shoulder of the highway. As this place has become less of a local secret, parking can be difficult on the weekends and holidays.

14. Bixby Creek Bridge

8 hours 10 minutes (340 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: The magnificence of Big Sur easily lends itself to nature photography, yet it is the meeting of the natural world and human ingenuity which makes the Bixby Creek Bridge such a beloved photo spot along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Bixby Creek Bridge along Highway 1 - part of the Pacific Coast Highway through California's Big Sur.

Where is it located on the route: This scenic bridge is one of the top photography locations in California and is located to the south of Monterey on the route.

Best time to visit: This is another spot that's pretty irresistible during sunset, but we also think the diffuse early morning light can produce some shots worthy of posting.

The bridge is beautiful in every season, just be aware of occasional road closures along this stretch of CA-1 and check the CalTrans website before you leave Carmel.

Bonus: This is the bridge features two familiar names from this list: it's in the title sequence of “Big Little Lies" (2017-2019) and also has a cameo in “Basic Instinct” (1992). Mr. Eastwood also included it in his 1971 drama-thriller “Play Misty for Me.”

Where to park: There's a parking lot near the viewpoint to the right of the road, but there aren't any other amenities out here. Be forewarned that this is another popular spot for a weekend trip and it can get crowded.

15. Point Sur and Point Sur Lighthouse

9 hours (360 miles) from Leggett

7 hours 55 minutes (340 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: Point Sur is remarkable in itself, a large volcanic rock rising up from a narrow strip of land jutting into the ocean, but it is also home to a quaint turn-of-the-century lighthouse.

You might want to stop and photograph this location as you approach it.

Big Sur. Point Sur lighthouse at sunset.

Where is it located on the route: Located directly on the route, just before you reach Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Best time to visit: A bit of mist adds to the mystique of this lonely lighthouse, so we think no matter what time of the year you come, you'll be able to take some impressive pictures here.

You can also tour the lighthouse at 10 a.m. on weekends in case you want to see it up close. Keep in mind that this involves a 1.5-mile hike up a steep hillside.

Bonus: This is another site that hasn't gotten the screen time it deserves, but it did feature in a 2012 episode of the documentary series “Ghost Adventures.”

Big Sur's signature cliffs can also be seen in "The Sandpiper" (1965) with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

Where to park: There is parking at the edge of the state historic park which contains the lighthouse.

16. Pfeiffer Beach

9 hours 20 minutes (370 miles) from Leggett

7 hours 30 minutes (320 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: In addition to being one of many spectacular beaches along the Big Sur Coast, Pfeiffer Beach is also where you can find waves crashing over purple sand and the highly Instagrammable Keyhole Arch.

Famous Keyhole Rock with the sunbeams shining through the hole in the rock formation during sunset

Where is it located on the route: You can reach Pfeiffer Beach after a short drive along Sycamore Canyon Road after exiting CA-1 at the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park sign.

Best time to visit: This beach is worth the stop no matter when you're able to make this trip, but it is obviously another preferred location for a sunset photoshoot.

Every winter an incredible opportunity awaits the patient photographer: for the first two weeks in January the setting sun lines up perfectly with the keyhole of Keyhole Arch.

This is understandably a busier time at the beach, but if you come early and stake your spot, you'll get a picture of a lifetime.

Where to park: Being a state park, there are maintained lots at the entrance to the beach. On the other side of the highway, there's also a campground in case you wanted to spend a few days capturing the many moods of Big Sur

17. McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

9 hours 30 minutes (380 miles) from Leggett

7 hours 20 minutes (320 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: This secluded cove is a little slice of tropical paradise in Central California, complete with a graceful waterfall pouring into the ocean. If fact, this is known as a tidefall and is one of only two in the state.

Even on a jam-packed trip, you'll be tempted to spend a little more time here.

Mcway falls and cove bathed in sunset light during golden hour in Big Sur, California

Where is it located on the route: These tranquil waterfalls are located to the south of the previous photo spot, directly en route.

Best time to visit: Anytime in the afternoon when the light is pouring into the cove will be a good time to take pictures here. It is also popular during sunset, but we think the early afternoon light makes all the colors really pop and bring out the cove's tropical vibe.

Unlike many waterfalls in the state, this one is usually flowing year-round.

Where to park: There's a small parking lot with basic bathrooms near the trailhead. There aren't many spaces, but people are coming and going frequently so if it's full you shouldn't have to wait long to nab a spot. The viewpoint is about a 5-10 minute walk along the small trail from the lot.

READ MORE - Our Guide to McWay Cove Beach

18. Ragged Point

10 hours 10 minutes (400 miles) from Leggett

6 hours 53 minutes (293 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: This is the southernmost point of Big Sur and the first glimpse of its famous cliffs for people coming from Southern California.

In addition to breathtaking views, there are several sculptures and mosaics that can be incorporated into your pictures to add another dimension to the usual Big Sur album.

Shimmering reflective sunlight, blue skies, white clouds and waves splashing along the ragged cliffs of Ragged Point by Highway 1 on the California Central Coast.

Where is it located on the route: As you travel further south on PCH, you will reach this spot just before San Simeon.

Best time to visit: Once again the afternoon and sunsets are the preferred times to photograph Ragged Point. Try to come in the spring so you can catch all the wildflowers in full bloom, adding dabs of color to those panoramic shots.

Where to park: Ample parking and amenities are available after a long stretch of road along undisturbed nature. Behind the restaurant and inn, you'll find a trail to the “Portal to Big Sur” sculpture.

19. Elephant Seal Vista Point

10 hours 50 minutes (420 miles) from Leggett

6 hours 20 minutes (275 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: There aren't many places on earth where you can see up to 17,000 elephant seals. While they might not always be at this San Simeon Vista point in such overwhelming numbers all the time, you can usually spot at least a few of them here throughout the year.

Elephant seals napping together, with one seal awake and looking at the camera

Where is it located on the route: Similar to Ragged Point, this stop is located just before reaching San Simeon.

Best time to visit: It's best to come here in the early morning when the seals are still on the beach before heading out to the water. They're usually gone by 8am and return in the late afternoon.

To see more seals as well as catch some of the sparring males, try to come in late January and February. April and October also tend to be more popular months to see seals here.

Bonus: The nearby beach of San Simeon was a stand-in for a South American location in former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's “Commando” (1985).

Where to park: There's a big parking lot just off the highway for people coming to the viewpoint.

20. Hearst Castle, San Simeon

11 hours (420 miles) from Leggett

6 hours 10 minutes (270 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: This iconic, 165-room mansion rightfully deserves to be called a castle of the American West. Its many architectural influences stem from William Randolph Hearst's boyhood trip to Europe; its halls are filled with antiques and curios.

Fortunately for us humble members of the public, the estate was opened for tours following Hearst's demise and photography is allowed both inside and outside the premises.

Exterior view of the extravagant Hearst Castle with a fountain in the front, taken on a sunny day

Where is it located on the route: Hearst Castle Visitor's Center is about half a mile inland down Hearst Castle Road off CA-1.

Best time to visit: The castle is open daily for tours starting at 9 a.m. and they even conduct several nighttime tours. It's very busy during the summer, so visiting in the spring or fall will give you more space and time to frame the perfect shot.

Bonus: Hearst Castle was the inspiration for Xanadu, the fictional mansion in "Citizen Kane" (1941) and William Hearst himself was the inspiration for the protagonist, although the actual filming didn't take place here.

The opulent Neptune Pool from Hearst Castle does make an appearance in Kirk Douglas's classic “Spartacus” (1960).

Where to park: There's free parking at the Visitor Center, where you'll also need to buy tickets to tour the castle on your own or on one of their many guided tours.

21. Morro Bay

11 hours 10 minutes (430 miles) from Leggett

5 hours 50 minutes (255 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: Morro Bay is visually anchored by the imposing Morro Rock, which catches the light in fantastic ways throughout the day, adding depth and character to the already gorgeous Pacific vistas.

Morro Rock at sunset with boats in the foreground, Morro Bay California

Where is it located on the route: Morro Bay is located on PCH just to the south of Cayucos.

Best time to visit: The early morning, midday, and sunset are all fabulous times to take pictures around Morro Bay. There's a marina and some adorable restaurants and shops along the bay which can add variety to the photos you snap here.

Of course, the golden hour and sunset can produce mesmerizing technicolor backdrops that fey-savvy photographers are able to pass up.

The temperate central coast doesn't change much between seasons and is busiest during the summer vacation.

Bonus: Morro Bay's recognizable outcrop can be seen in “The Lady from Shanghai” (1947) featuring Orson Welles as well as in “Patriot Games” (1992) starring Harrison Ford.

Where to park: There are several parking lots in the town, some closer to the beach and one right near the base of Morro Rock.

22. Bubblegum Alley, San Luis Obispo

11 hours 30 minutes (445 miles) from Leggett

5 hours 35 minutes (240 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: Why not make a fun pit stop in San Luis Obispo and take a few lighthearted pics in Bubblegum Alley? If you feel so inclined, you can also make your own contribution to this ever-growing collective creation.

View down Bubblegum Alley, San Luis Obispo, California, with thousands of pieces of gum stuck to the walls

Where is it located on the route: Bubblegum Alley is right in downtown San Luis Obispo, take the Santa Rosa Street Exit and then drive a few blocks to Higuera Street. The alley is between there and Marsh Street, which you can take to join back up with CA-1/US-101.

Best time to visit: It is better to come in the morning or midday when the sun is high and there is plenty of light to bring out the color in the rainbow gobs coating the walls.

Bonus: This is another location that is more Instagram-famous than anything else.

Where to park: There is limited street parking as well as a public parking lot on Higuera Street

23. Monarch Butterfly Grove, Pismo Beach

11 hours 50 minutes (460 miles) from Leggett

5 hours 17 minutes (230 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: Monarch butterflies make a multi-generation migration across North America and this grove in Pismo Beach is one of the few places where you can see them in their thousands.

Capture eucalyptus boughs coated with these living leaves and get a few macro shots of their vibrant orange and black wings.

Monarch Butterflies clustering together on a pine tree, closeup image

Where is it located on the route: The Monarch Butterfly Grove is directly off the Pacific Coast Highway, but make sure you exit to your right onto this highway from the shared stretch with US-101 as you enter Pismo Beach.

Best time to visit: The angular light of the early morning and late afternoon helps to create some contrast between hundreds of tiny wings.

You might need a telephoto lens to take sharp pics of butterflies high up in the canopy, but usually, there are a few hanging around more accessible bushes and shrubs.

The monarchs congregate here between November and February as part of their southern migration.

Bonus: While the majestic monarch butterflies are the perfect subject to brighten up your Instagram feed, they haven't been in any feature films.

Just to the south of Pismo Beach you'll find the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, which have been a stand in for Middle Eastern filming locations in “Hidalgo” (2004), “Morocco” (1930), “The Thief of Bagdad” (1924), and “The Ten Commandments” (1923).

Where to park: You can park in the small lot at the grove and there are additional parking spots and facilities across the creek at Pismo State Beach.

If you'd like to learn more about what else you can do in Pismo Beach, click the link below.

READ MORE - Our Guide to Pismo Beach

24. Point Dume, Malibu

14 hours 50 minutes (620 miles) from Leggett

2 hours 15 minutes (75 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: Though most famous for being the earthly site of Charlton Heston's desperate cry at the end of “Planet of the Apes” (1968) Point Dume is a gorgeous beach bordered by sheer cliffs that have been featured in dozens of films.

It is also one of the few places in southern California where you can see grey whales and dolphins from the land.

Aerial view of Pirates Cove, a hidden sandy beach in a small cove on west side of Point Dume, Malibu coast in California Blue sky, sunny day

Where is it located on the route: As you drive past Oxnard en route, keep following PCH south, and Point Dume is located just before Malibu.

Best time to visit: You can get some stunning sunrise shots from the bluff, but down on the beach the afternoon and sunset are the best time to catch that golden light hitting the headlands.

Bonus: The famous beach scene at the end of "Planet of the Apes" (1968) was shot at Point Dume's Westward Beach. Point Dume also gets some screen time in “The Big Lebowski” (1998), “Iron Man”(2008), and “The Fablemans”

Where to park: There's parking at Point Dume State Beach. At the end of the long lot perched atop the bluff, you will find trailheads for exploring the nature preserve.

25. Santa Monica Pier

15 hours 20 minutes (635 miles) from Leggett

1 hour 30 minutes (60 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: At the western edge of vibrant Los Angeles, complete with a Ferris wheel and roller coaster, the Santa Monica Pier has been a beloved place for family fun and first dates for generations.

After you've worked your magic behind the lens, be sure to let loose and enjoy some of the rides while you're here. This is also the ending point of the legendary Route 66 .

Santa Monica pier at sunset, Los Angeles

Where is it located on the route: Take a fresh breath of ocean air and snap a photo here just before arriving at Los Angeles on Pacific Coast Highway,

Best time to visit: This is a place that really comes to life as the sun goes down, so we recommend coming here at sunset or even later with a tripod to get some shots of neon lights reflecting off the surf and sand.

Bonus: The Santa Monica Pier appears at the end of "Forrest Gump" (1994) where Tom Hank's character decides to stop running. It can also be seen in “Her” (2013) and the TV series “The L Word” (2004-2009).

Where to park: Several parking lots and garages are on Santa Monica Boulevard, Colorado Avenue, and 2nd Street.

26. Venice Beach

16 hours 30 minutes (650 miles) from Leggett

1 hour 25 minutes (60 miles) from Dana Point

What makes this photo spot special: In some sense the scenes you'll capture here are how most of the world thinks of Southern California, or at least the version of the culture here that dominated the 80s and 90s.

From bright signs on a palm-tree-studded boardwalk to the open-air gym of Muscle Beach, this is a place that fully embraces life under the sun.

A bright day in December at Ocean Front Walk in Venice Beach, Los Angeles

Where is it located on the route: Venice Beach is located just to the south of Santa Monica.

Best time to visit: There are many different subjects to photograph here and some of them might be better during the morning or midday, like the skate park and row of brightly colored ice cream shacks.

Yet most people agree that this is another place made for sunsets and the golden hour where the shadows of towering palms are even more elongated and dramatic.

Bonus: "Lords of Dogtown" (2005) details the birth of skateboarding in the 1970s in the places where it actually happened, including Venice Beach.

The Orson Welles classic "Touch of Evil" (1958) opens with a shot along the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

Where to park: There's a parking lot at Venice Beach as well as along S Venice Boulevard.

READ MORE - Our Guide to Venice Beach

A summary of our favorite photo spots along the Pacific Coast Highway

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Madonna closes Celebration Tour playing to 1.6 million fans in Brazil

Aerial shots of Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach show massive swaths of fans.

Madonna performed the final show of her Celebration Tour to 1.6 million fans at Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach on Saturday night -- a record for a stand-alone show, according to tour organizer Live Nation.

MORE: Kylie Minogue joins Madonna onstage during Celebration Tour: Watch

The tour, which celebrated four decades of Madonna's hits, came to a close in Brazil on Saturday night with the free concert.

PHOTO: Madonna performs onstage during a free concert at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, on May 4, 2024.

"Copacabana Beach was turned into the world's largest dance floor as Madonna performed some of her biggest hits from her peerless music catalog," Live Nation said in a press release. "The Celebration Tour does not only honor Madonna's four decades of iconic music but is an homage to her unprecedented life, unique artistry and groundbreaking career."

Aerial shots of Copacabana Beach showed massive swaths of fans covering the shoreline, engulfed in several sets of concert lights.

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"The show will be free of charge as a thank you to her fans for celebrating more than four decades of her music over the course of the epic global run of the tour," a portion of Madonna's announcement of the show in March read on her website.

PHOTO: People gather at Copacabana beach to attend Madonna's free concert in Rio de Janeiro, May 4, 2024.

The Rolling Stones had held the previous stand-alone record since 2006, for a concert at the same venue, according to Live Nation.

MORE: Madonna announces Celebration global tour: What to know

Madonna kicked off her Celebration Tour in London in October, dedicating the show to her daughter Lourdes Leon, who celebrated her 27th birthday on opening night.

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Nearly 50 years later, Asian American and Pacific Islander month features revelry and racial justice

FILE - President Joe Biden speaks before a screening of the series "American Born Chinese" in the East Room of the White House in Washington, in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May 8, 2023. It has been almost 50 years since the U.S. government established that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and their accomplishments should be recognized annually across the nation. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

FILE - President Joe Biden speaks before a screening of the series “American Born Chinese” in the East Room of the White House in Washington, in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May 8, 2023. It has been almost 50 years since the U.S. government established that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and their accomplishments should be recognized annually across the nation. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Terry Tang image, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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It has been almost 50 years since the U.S. government established that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and their accomplishments should be recognized annually across the nation.

What started as just one week in May has evolved over the decades into a monthlong tribute of events in cities big and small. The nature of celebrations also evolved. Asian American and Pacific Islander or Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is not just about showcasing festive fare like food and fashion, but hard subjects like grief and social justice. The rise of anti-Asian hate during the pandemic only heightened that effort.

“I think the visibility and the level that the increased participation of organizations in Asian Pacific Heritage Month activities is also an indication of the increasing voice of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in civic life more generally,” said Karen Umemoto, director of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center. “And also an indication of the spaces that we’ve come to collectively enter to be able to create those.”

Indeed, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrations are not relegated just to ethnic enclaves or culturally-specific venues. Across the U.S. this year, events are planned at public libraries, parks and museums either highlighting a specific Asian culture or a myriad of them.

FILE - President Joe Biden speaks April 24, 2024, in Washington. Biden called Japan and India "xenophobic" countries that do not welcome immigrants, lumping the two with adversaries China and Russia as he tried to explain the four countries' economic circumstances and contrasted them with the U.S. on immigration at a campaign fundraiser Wednesday evening at the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

HOW DID AAPI HERITAGE MONTH START?

Many credit the observance’s origin to Jeanie Jew, a co-founder of the congressional Asian-Pacific staff caucus. In 1977, the Chinese American shared a moving story with New York Republican Rep. Frank Horton about how her grandfather had helped build the transcontinental railroad in the 1800s and then was killed amid anti-Asian unrest.

Jew believed Asians should appreciate their heritage and “Americans must know about the contributions and histories of the Asian-Pacific American experience,” Horton said in 1992, according to congressional archives . At that time, Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month had already been instituted. Yet, Asian Americans were described as the fastest growing racial group.

Horton and California Democratic Rep. Norm Mineta proposed President Jimmy Carter issue a proclamation that the first week of May be “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.” Hawaii Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga, both Democrats, brought up a similar bill in the Senate.

WHY IS IT IN MAY?

May was chosen because of two significant events. The first Japanese immigrants to the U.S. arrived on May 7, 1843. Then on May 19, 1869, the final spike for the transcontinental railroad track, in which Chinese laborers played a crucial role, was embedded.

Umemoto recalls hearing talk of Asian Pacific Heritage Week as a college student. But it wasn’t something that was mainstream.

“I think it was more of a kind of cultural celebration in the early days,” she said. “And so a lot of student groups, I remember as doing programming around the different histories, cultural traditions and issues in the community.”

In May 1990, President George H.W. Bush expanded the designation to the entire month. In 2009, President Barack Obama changed the name to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Now, President Joe Biden’s administration refers to it as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

“As artists and journalists, doctors and engineers, business and community leaders, and so much more, AA and NHPI peoples have shaped the very fabric of our Nation and opened up new possibilities for all of us,” Biden said in an official Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month proclamation issued on Tuesday.

The White House will hold a celebration in Washington on May 13 to commemorate 25 years since the inception of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

HOW HAS IT GROWN IN SIGNIFICANCE?

Asian American and Pacific Islander advocacy groups have long used the month as a platform to bring resources to underserved communities and educate the public. But, the one-two punch of COVID-19 and assaults on Asian people in the U.S. really gave some a new appreciation for the heritage month’s purpose.

Pre-pandemic, Amber Reed, of Montclair, New Jersey, didn’t really think about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. A Korean-American adoptee who grew up one of few Asian children in rural Michigan, she said she didn’t feel a strong connection to her Asian ancestry. That changed after the March 2021 Atlanta spa shootings that left eight dead, including six Asian women.

“Certainly it jolted me out of thinking that my family could be safe and that we could just sort of muddle through without sort of reckoning with some of the very vicious currents of racism in our culture,” Reed said. “And I take no pride in having needed that moment to wake me up.”

In response to the shootings, Reed and around 50 others started the nonprofit AAPI New Jersey — originally AAPI Montclair. Their advocacy began with surveys of local schools and other institutions’ recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

The group then quickly organized the Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance for May. The Chinese tradition of lighting lanterns became a vehicle to honor victims of hate or injustice, Reed said. The event is now in its fourth year.

“I think one thing Asian cultures do so well is provide these rituals, including for collective grief,” said Reed, who still finds it surreal that the group continues to grow.

WHAT EVENTS MARK THE MONTH?

The variety of subjects and cultures feted during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month has flourished. There are events happening this month that include more narrow topics, such as a panel on the Asian American Church in Pasadena, California. There’s an Asian Comedy Fest in New York City. And in Wisconsin, the state will celebrate May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day, which was signed into law in 2021. Thousands of Hmong-Lao soldiers fought alongside U.S. forces during the Vietnam war. Many Hmong and Laotian families resettled in Wisconsin.

These heritage month celebrations are helping to erode the notion that the whole population is a monolith, Umemoto said.

“I think it’s important for people to visibly see from a wide range of groups that fall under the category Asian American and Pacific Islanders. There are over 70 different ethnic and national groups and over 100 languages spoken within those communities,” Umemoto said. “And they’re very different.”

Terry Tang is a Phoenix-based member of AP’s Race and Ethnicity team.

TERRY TANG

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April 30 , 2024

Assassin's Creed Mirage is coming to iOS!

Assassin's Creed Mirage will be launching on June 6 on the App Store for iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad Air and iPad Pro with M1 chip or later.

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The iPhone port of the game, announced in September 2023, will be joined by an iPad port on release. This will be the first time Assassin's Creed players will be able to play a console title on mobile, experiencing Basim's journey at its best anywhere they go.

Developed by Ubisoft Sofia, these ports offer an intuitive, comfortable and engaging gaming experience with optimized touch controls and controller support. Cross-save and cross-ownership will also be available for players to enjoy the game between iPhone and iPad as they please.

Pre-order now on the App Store .

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