I'm an automotive photographer from the Bay Area and have been looking on Google Maps for some potential locations for a photoshoot .
Does anyone know of any good (non private property) spots to shoot a car in Santa Rosa?
Posted Oct 2, 2016, 4:44 AM UTC
Spring lake park might have some decent places to shoot. There might be some parking lot spaces with the lake in the background.
Wait until the green grass comes up. Find higher, smaller roads without many trees.
I know MANY car shots have been done on "W. Ridgecrest blvd" NW of Mt Tam. But that's almost cliche.
I would also look on Mt Diablo.
Someone mentioned the high part of Coleman Valley Rd. That works.
Also further up north on Hauser Bridge or Tin Barn might work. (not public lands )
Are you looking for an urban environment or natural?
Hmm, not really looking for an urban environment. Probably somewhere natural.
I can't think of many places IN Santa Rosa that are naturally beautiful. But nearby you can pretty much just drive in any direction and find a great spot. I've always wanted some pics of my car at Wohler Bridge. Dry Creek Rd in Healdsburg is quite scenic. The hills east of Petaluma Hill Rd offer the widest views of the county you can get. Eastside Rd in Windsor might work as well. If you are willing to go further out Skaggs Springs Rd west of Lake Sonoma is gorgeous and Coleman Valley Rd in Occidental is equally beautiful. Share some pics if you can please I'm curious!
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Are you looking to actually be in Santa Rosa, or just in the general area? Most of the spots I can think of are in Sonoma county, but not in the city limits
Preferably Santa Rosa but if its not too far away then that's fine too. But Sonoma County is a pretty large area so not sure.
Well, here are what comes to mind for me:
Davis lane/lynch road off Adobe road just east of petaluma: these two roads connect, and it's been a while since I've been out there but there are a couple good turnouts that would make nice shots. Sonoma mountain road (right up Adobe from lynch) has one killer turnout up the hill a ways. All three of these roads are not in the best condition, but I used to drive them for fun in my Honda civic so nbd.
The coast, obviously. There are some awesome beach parking lots with great views.
Armstrong woods in guereville: the parking lot has some great potential.
Roads west/south of petaluma: two rock road, d street, all of them have some great places to pull over for a killer shot.
Taylor mountain park: this is in Santa Rosa off petaluma hill road. I haven't been but I've seen the parking lot and it looks like it could have potential, if you parked and shot the car to the west (like your camera is pointing west/south west).
Guerneville road west of Fulton road, piner road west of Fulton road, and Fulton road between piner and airport all have potential. Though I'm not sure about the exact location of the pullouts, and fulton and guerneville are both busy roads with like a 45 speed limit.
East/west railroad ave between cotati and penngrove has some nice spots, and is not very busy
Hope that was helpful! Not too many spots in Santa Rosa proper.
Thank you!
urban or rural?
Rural preferably. However, urban would work if there are no other cars, people, etc.
We are bay area, too....
Kinda seen as the redneck backwater, though, if people remember you're here at all. Sad, too, SR is a nice area.
Well if that's the way it is, maybe the façade will keep the rent down...