California

In March of 2016 I received a text from my Aunt inviting me to join her on a journey to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. The trip happened in mid June; June 14-20th 2016. This was not only a great opportunity, but reconciliation for my home for I once lived and grew up in, San Francisco. Moving to Pittsburgh when I was seven from San Francisco was a big turning point in my life. Having to start over and make friends in a place that was all to unfamiliar other than winter trips or summer vacations to visit family. Adjusting to the North East lifestyle and culture was a big step for me, but an important one. Pittsburgh is where I began my passion for photography. Pittsburgh is where I found myself and where I want to go, but... San Francisco has always been where I felt at home; so receiving that text in March was not only an opportunity to visit, but to capture moments and memories that'll last me a lifetime. The trip started of course with a flight to SFO from PIT; which upon arriving my Aunt and I got a rental car and proceeded to our hotel in Fisherman's Wharf. We visited many destinations of views I had researched before hand for photographs and great vista points to capture; here are some of the photographs below...

Day 1

The first stop was Muir Woods National Monument. This destination gave a great aspect of the Redwood trees.

Twin Peaks being our first vista point, but second stop; offers a great view of the San Francisco skyline below. 

Day 2

First stop day 2 was Alcatraz. 

The cells for "dangerous inmates". Solitary confinement cells. 

The small size of the cells for prisoners. 

An outside view of the Golden Gate Bridge from Alcatraz Island. 

The Coit Tower was our next destination which had a beautiful view from atop it.

Last stop for the day was Lombard Street. 

Day 3

Moving our way towards Yosemite National Park; I saw this tree by it's self in a field. Wanted to show the solitude of the tree. 

River running below in the Yosemite Valley. 

El Capitan right after Sunset during magic hour. 

Yosemite falls from the perspective of the Yosemite Valley.

View from Glacier Point right before sunset. 

Tunnel View right before the sun disappeared off the rocky walls surrounding the Yosemite Valley. 

Day 4

The 17mi Drive outside of Monterey, California. 

Fog was rolling in to create a feeling of peace to this tree growing alone.

Then a stop in Monterey to see the harbor seals. This seal hopped onto this anchor and posed for a photo. 

Day 5

5am early rise to catch this sunrise filling in the bay and Golden Gate Bridge. 

Quick stop in Sausalito across the bay of San Francisco. 

Then to a different perspective the Golden Gate Bridge for sunset.

Day 6

Slept in and enjoyed Fishermans Wharf. In afternoon took the Van Ness and California cable car to this destination where I was able to capture this shot of the cable car in front of the Bay Bridge in downtown San Francisco.

Sausalito for the sunset and magic hour. 

Houses on the hill with the San Francisco skyline behind. 

Day 7

Walked around downtown San Francisco and explore City Hall a little.

Checked out the outside view of Alcatraz from Fisherman's Wharf before returning back to the hotel to get ready to get on our flight back to Pittsburgh.

This trip was a great time and I will have it as a memory forever and images to prove it. 

Check out my last post Here.