Every photo trip planned this season, one line at a time: where it is, how long it takes, when it is at its best, the one picture it is for and the lens that takes it, what can go wrong, and how to get there. Each one has a full capsule with the clock, the map and the pins.
Old sea-floor rock tipped on its side at Garden of the Gods, with an optional stop at Stoney Point.
WhenAny time of year. Any morning.
The shot38V · B&W One slanted rock edge from corner to corner, dark rock on a white sky.
Watch outA short, easy trail. Bring a headlamp for the first 10 minutes, and don't climb tall rocks in the dark. Rattlesnakes. At Stoney Point stay behind the fence: the train tracks are live.
DriveAbout 56 miles round trip. No charging.
Before you goOn a windy week, check the MRCA Red Flag notice the night before.
Rock towers going black at sunset, then the Red Cliffs at sunrise.
WhenBest Oct–Apr. A Friday into Saturday.
The shot38V · B&W Thin spires as black shapes on a white sky, then shaded cliff columns at dawn.
Watch outFive miles of dirt road that rain can wash out, so turn back if it's wet. You walk back in the dark with no signal. A cold night, and a tricky left turn across the 14.
DriveAbout 358 miles round trip. 4 charges (Mojave, Inyokern twice, Mojave). Reach Trona with at least 60%.
Before you goCall the state park (661) 946-6092 the day before and BLM (760) 384-5400 that morning. Campsites are first-come, so arrive mid-afternoon. Check Caltrans for chains.
A boulder field at sunrise, then the old stagecoach road cut into the rock.
WhenBest Oct–Mar. Any clear morning.
The shot38V · B&W One boulder outline on a white sunrise sky, then wagon ruts as lines running downhill.
Watch outAn easy fire road, but no summit scramble alone. Unmarked trails. Snakes, poison oak, ticks. Vehicle thefts are reported at the lot, so leave the car empty.
DriveAbout 61 miles round trip. No charge stop.
Before you goCheck both Red Flag notices the night before. Call (818) 784-4849 if the 08:00 opening matters.
A narrow canyon with rock stripes standing straight up. You turn around at an oil seep.
WhenBest Oct–Apr. Any morning.
The shot38V · B&W One rock stripe running into a white sky, with dark walls.
Watch outAbout 1.4 mi each way, flat, with creek crossings. Turn back if the creek sounds loud, and don't climb the zigzag trail past the seeps. Snakes and poison oak.
DriveAbout 56 miles round trip. No charge stop.
Before you goCheck the Red Flag notice, and the creek if it rained that week.
A 6-mile loop past Echo Cliffs, Balanced Rock and Split Rock to Sandstone Peak.
WhenAny time of year. Any morning; the lot opens at 08:00.
The shot38V · B&W One rock sitting on another above the canyon, with a white sky.
Watch outA long hike with a short rock climb at the top, fine when dry. No water and almost no signal. Poison oak, ticks, snakes. Fog can erase the view.
DriveAbout 72 miles round trip. No charging.
Before you goCall (805) 370-2301 about the lot gate, and check the coastal fog forecast.
Mormon Rocks at sunrise, then the Punchbowl's rock layers standing almost straight up.
WhenBest Oct–Feb. Tuesday to Sunday.
The shot38V · B&W One slanted rock layer as the only line, with a white sky.
Watch outYou leave at 04:30. Don't walk on Highway 138 in the dark, and stay on the rim: the loop is rated difficult. Cold and windy, snakes and lions. Rain cancels it.
DriveAbout 204 miles round trip. 2 charges (Ontario Mills, Palmdale).
Before you goNot a Monday. Check chains the night before. In winter, call (661) 944-2743 the day before.
A ridge of white sandstone domes across Sespe Creek.
WhenBest Oct–Nov. Any morning.
The shot38V · B&W A white dome top against dark Pine Mountain or a white sky.
Watch outA dark, twisty road with falling rocks, and a creek crossing that is usually dry in fall. No shade, water or signal. Snakes, bears, lions, ticks, and deer hunters, so wear something bright.
DriveAbout 192 miles round trip. 2 charges, both at Ventura.
Before you goCall the Ojai Ranger District (805) 646-4348 about the gate the day before. A $5 Adventure Pass on the dash.
A river canyon under a train bridge, a folded lakebed at sunrise, and burned Joshua trees at sunset.
WhenBest Oct–Mar. Never within two days of rain.
The shot38V · B&W One rock layer slanting corner to corner, or burned trees as black marks on a white sky.
Watch outEvery spot is at the end of a dirt road that floods after rain. Don't drive past the Afton campground, and walk the Rainbow Basin loop instead of driving it. Cold, dark mornings. Snow or chains cancel it.
DriveAbout 626 miles round trip. 7 charges (Hesperia, Barstow three times, Baker twice, Hesperia).
Before you goBook two nights in Barstow. Call BLM (760) 252-6000 and the Mojave Preserve (760) 252-6100.
Painted rock stacks, a red-and-white striped park, and the road curving into red rock at sunrise.
WhenNovember. Low front light on the paint; never the first half of December.
The shot90V One painted stack alone on a white sky with the sun on its front, and the Fire Wave's white stripe.
Watch outShort sandy walks. The real danger is standing beside a park road at dawn, where cars crest hills. A dark loop road at Red Rock.
DriveAbout 859 miles round trip. 9 charges; the lowest arrival is about 16%. Leave Vegas on 100% for each Valley of Fire run.
Before you goGet the stacks operator's written yes before posting. Red Rock needs entry before 08:00 or a timed reservation. The stacks are listed open through 2026, with an extension planned; check again the week before.
Hearst's blue-and-gold indoor pool, a lighthouse with its top cut off, and elephant seals.
WhenBest Dec–Feb. Three days with a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday in the middle.
The shot90V + 38V The far end of the gold pool room, lamp and statue flat against a white window. The 38V straight down the middle is the backup.
Watch outLow risk. No dawn and no dark walking; the lighthouse trail is an easy half mile. One tour has 322 steps. No tripods.
DriveAbout 622 miles round trip. 6 charges; the lowest arrival is about 21%.
Before you goHearst tours open 60 days out. Call (800) 444-4445 first about group size, the 09:00 tours and staying in the pool room. Book the $10 lighthouse tour on Recreation.gov.
A rock arch with a lit hole at sunset, plus a lone tree on a rock.
WhenBest Dec–Jan. An evening with a low tide near sunset, never the day after rain.
The shot90V + 38V The dark arch and its glowing hole mirrored in wet sand, no sky. The cypress small in a pale square on the 38V.
Watch outAn easy beach, but sneaker waves can grab you. Never stand between the arch and the sea, and never turn your back on the water. A one-lane road and a 14-hour last day.
DriveAbout 703 miles round trip. 7 charges; the lowest arrival is about 16%. Ventana and Goleta are not optional.
Before you goSign up for the free Asilomar tour. The night before, call about Highway 1 and the beach road, which close after rain.
Marin Civic Center, Point Reyes, the Cypress Tree Tunnel
Frank Lloyd Wright's last building, a lighthouse 313 steps down, and a road lined with cypress trees.
WhenBest Nov–Feb. January is best.
The shot90V The white station at the end of the tree tunnel, nearly all white with the trees as dark edges, plus the lighthouse small on a white sea.
Watch out313 steps back up before 4 pm, and the stairs close in wind over 40 mph. Standing at a road edge at dawn, so wear something bright. About 10 hours of driving each way.
DriveAbout 955 miles round trip. 10 charges; the lowest arrival is about 15%. Take the 101 if the Grapevine has snow.
Before you goBook the Friday docent tour first ($18, 30 spots). Not on Christmas Day. One night in San Rafael, two near Point Reyes.
A dry lake LA keeps wet in silver, white and red stripes, plus a quiet stop at Manzanar.
WhenBest Nov–Feb. A Saturday into Sunday, a few clear days after a storm.
The shot90V A thin silver-white-red ribbon under snowy mountains, mostly sky.
Watch outEasy and flat. Stay off the dirt berm roads, where your phone may die. Any snow or chain control cancels it.
DriveAbout 464 miles round trip. 5 charges; the lowest arrival is about 22%. Never skip Olancha.
Before you goBook a refundable Lone Pine room. Call LADWP (760) 876-4109 and Manzanar (760) 878-2194. Check the roads the evening before and again that morning.
The white bathtub ring on the rocks, showing where Lake Powell's water used to be.
WhenBest Nov–Feb. Overcast or thin high cloud is best.
The shot90V + 38V Lone Rock small with its white collar, on pale ground under a white sky. The 38V proves where you stood.
Watch outStay on pavement at Lone Rock: soft sand, and no sure tow. Horseshoe Bend is a cliff, so stay at the fence. If mountain roads are icy, wait a day. Two long driving days.
DriveAbout 1,168 miles round trip. 15 charges; the lowest arrival is about 22%. Never leave Page heading west under 65%.
Before you goAsk Ken's Tours in writing whether the Hasselblad is allowed at Lower Antelope. Book Page and St George, cancellable. Check the tires.
Two small islands of famous concrete buildings, reached by train, ferry and your feet.
WhenNovember. Low afternoon sun.
The shot90V + 38V A gray concrete corner late in the afternoon, one wall lit and one dark, split by one sharp line. The white Teshima shell small on the 38V.
Watch outEasy and safe. A 4 km uphill walk with the bag. No tripod, no drone.
FlyANA nonstop LAX to Haneda, about $9.5K in business. The whole trip runs about $8–13K.
Before you goChichu and the Teshima museum sell timed slots ahead; buy them before the flight. Ask Benesse House in writing whether the 90V is OK outside.
One big white opera house shaped like a snow drift.
WhenDecember. Early winter, never on a Monday.
The shot90V + 38V One piece of the white roof curve on a white sky, all white but one soft line. The 38V inside.
Watch outVery cold, about −20°C at dawn, and the camera is rated to −10°C: frostbite is real. Hold the rail on the icy ramp, and stay off pond and river ice.
FlyAir China LAX to Beijing to Harbin, home through Seoul on other carriers, about $5.4–6.9K in business. The whole trip runs about $6.3–8.4K.
Before you goBuy the onward ticket out of China first: you can't enter without it. Buy theater tickets. Book changeable fares.
The Taj Mahal and two giant step-wells, hoping for morning fog.
WhenBest Dec–Jan. Fog season; three dawns give about a one-in-three chance of a fog morning.
The shot90V The Taj dome alone in white fog, its towers gone, from across the river. Step-well stairs as a flat white pattern.
Watch outA driver does every road, but fog on the dark highway is the real danger. Wear an N95 over AQI 200; over 300 it's smog, not fog, and the morning is off. The Taj is closed Fridays.
FlyOne stop via Europe or the Gulf, about $5–9K in business (an estimate). The whole trip runs about $10–19K.
Before you goApply for the e-Tourist visa (4 to 120 days before landing). Buy the Taj ticket online the day before.
A frozen lake with white bubbles trapped in black ice.
WhenBest Jan–Feb. Mid to late January.
The shot38V + 90V Straight down at your boots, the frame packed with bubble discs (38V). A ridge in the last sun on the 90V, and the lake from a helicopter.
Watch outVery cold. On the ice only with a guide and boot spikes, and only on 15 cm or more of clear ice; stay off snow-covered patches, which hide thin ice. A driver does the winter highway.
FlyWestJet nonstop LAX to Calgary, about $1,156. The whole trip runs about $4.5–7K.
Before you goBook the ice tours once January opens. The driver isn't refundable inside 30 days. Bring a passport book.
Three buildings and rolling hills made simple by snow.
WhenFebruary. Deep snow, before the Ice Chapel closes in mid-February.
The shot90V A snowy hill with a tiny stone Buddha head peeking over, plus a lone tree on white and a lit cross in an icy pond.
Watch out−15°C or colder, below the camera's rating. Never step off a plowed road onto the fields. Skip the Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls if the volcano reaches Level 4. A driver does the snowy roads.
FlyAA and JAL in business, LAX to Sapporo with one stop, about $5,311. The whole trip runs about $10–15K.
One concrete-and-steel doorway into an Arctic mountain that stores seeds.
WhenMarch. The first half of March: the sun is back and the snow is still whole.
The shot90V The vault door small and straight-on, all white, then the same view in blue twilight.
Watch outVery cold. Polar bears live outside town, so never leave town without a guide. You ride the snowmobile but never drive it. A spare day covers bad weather.
FlyLAX to Oslo with one stop, then SAS north. Flights about $8–12K; the whole trip about $10.5–17K plus the vault visits.
Before you goBook two private evening vault visits with the times in writing. Book the snowmobile day two to three months ahead.
Sossusvlei, Lüderitz, the Skeleton Coast, Walvis Bay
Desert dunes that run straight into the ocean, seen mostly from the air.
WhenBest May–Jun, Sep. Late in the dry season: clear, cool mornings.
The shot90V One dune face meeting one white surf line, from a doors-off helicopter. A shipwreck in the sand from the air, in the last light.
Watch outLong and pricey. Small planes and a doors-off helicopter with the camera tied to you. Dark starts, hot sun, blowing sand. Soft bags only, 10 kg.
FlyLufthansa LAX to Munich, then Discover to Windhoek, about $7–12K in business. The trip runs about $23–41K ($49–67K with the coast add-on).
Before you goThe lodge, the helicopter and the coast fly-in book nine to twelve months out. Get the visa online.
Rome, Civita, Castelfranco, Como and Milan, La Tourette, Ronchamp
Eight famous buildings and one hilltop village, linked by trains.
WhenBest Oct–Nov. Low raking sun, fog under Civita, the crowds gone.
The shot90V One building per picture. The hero is Ronchamp's white wall with odd black window holes, plus EUR's grid of arches.
Watch outEasy, with trains and drivers, but seven beds in ten nights. Don't cross Civita's footbridge in the dark. No inside photos at Ronchamp without written permission.
FlyITA nonstop LAX to Rome plus SWISS Zurich to LAX, about $13.9K in business one-ways. The whole trip runs about $18.5–22K.
Before you goFares open about eleven months out. Book La Tourette's guided visit early, and write ahead to Ronchamp for inside photos.
The Morning AfterBryce and Zion after a storm. It needs fresh snow on the rock and dry roads on the same morning, which rarely happens, and it is 1,204 miles and 13 charges, often for the snowy Bryce everyone already has.
Hermit Road, Winter OnlyThe Grand Canyon. 1,264 miles for nine spots with no single hero shot; on a clear blue day the main frame is just the postcard.
IlulissatThe hero was still an iceberg face with no horizon, and the aerial needed at least four passengers at a price nobody could confirm.
BhutanAbout $17–30K for the most-photographed viewpoint in the country, with festival crowds on its dates.
MakgadikgadiThe whole plan hung on one remote camp, and it could not be written up without naming exactly where that camp sits.
Patagonia and JujuyNever got past the idea.
Mono Lake and BodieThe Mono night depended on one charge in Bridgeport, and Tesla lists no charger there.
Miles and best months come from each capsule's own page. Phone numbers, fares and opening rules were read when the capsules were written; call before you drive.