Favorite photographing areas in Southern California?

[PostShawn]

Hey everyone. I am just looking for areas to go out and shoot some photographs. I am in the Los Angeles area. Any suggestions. I tried the beach today thinking maybe get some surfing shots or nice scenery but it was a mad house. Things I have liked in the past, automotive events, zoos, parks, etc. So what are your favorite spots?

[Tee Why]

There are too many areas in the LA area to list here.
What kind of photography do you like?
some things to consider
downtown LA, business district/Grand Ave, disney concert hall, our lady of the angels, olvera street, union station, garment district, LA zoo, Venice beach, santa monica beach, santa barbara, palos verdes, AVP volleyball tournaments, hollywood, UCLA, USC, Peterson's automotive museum, Griffith park, Getty museum, Getty villa, Huntington Library come to my mind off the top of my head.

[PostShawn]

Well I am looking to see where other people have fun shooting too. I personally like a little bit of everything. I like places that either I don't see often or that have a wide range of stuff to shoot. I live right in Hollywood so that is kinda over done for me. I love Venice beach. Haven't brought the camera there yet. Might try that in a couple weeks. I also want to find places that aren't packed with people and I can just walk around and take pictures without spending half the day trying to park or paying $15 to do so. I haven't really been to the downtown/business district area. Maybe I'll try that sometime.
Thanks for suggestions.

EDIT: I just noticed the http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LAShooters/ in your signature. I joined there too. Thanks.

[yonni]

If you'd like to try some wildlife there are a couple of places to get some water fowl pics. There is a pond in Playa Del Rey that has a lot of ducks and geese and the occassional stork. It's on the south side of Ballona Creek. Head north on Vista Del Mar and veer left when you get to the business district. The other place is Venice canals. Head west on Washington and turn south on Pacific. Oh one other is the Kenny Hahn park in Baldwin Hills. You can reach it from the north or south on La Cienega Blvd. Nice fishing hole with lots of water fowl.

[jestergx4]

Downtown Long Beach is a very picturesque area. There is so many photo opps there. You have the downtown area. The Harbor drive and the Long Beach Shore. You have a good view of the Queen Mary. I always go down there and some of my most gorgeous pictures are from that area. Good night life too.