Miramar MCAS

[MS-18E]

Does anyone know where would be a nice quiet spot around the Miramar MCAS area that I can get to, to take pictures of the F-18s and helis that often take-off and land there?

[440roadrunner]

I'd like to see a picture of you, a Marine, and an M-16 up your a$$. What I mean is, that could happen. If I were you, I'd give the base a call or drive up to the main entrance and ASK

By the way, I spent 4 years there from 70-74, maintained GCA RADAR and TACAN when the Navy ran the joint.

[MS-18E]

I'd like to see a picture of you, a Marine, and an M-16 up your a$$. What I mean is, that could happen. If I were you, I'd give the base a call or drive up to the main entrance and ASK

By the way, I spent 4 years there from 70-74, maintained GCA RADAR and TACAN when the Navy ran the joint.

Sorry, I did not know it was illegal. I saw videos of groups of people parking by the side of roads taking pictures of air crafts taking off and landing near other air bases and thought there's a local group that does similar. So I thought I'll ask where a good spot will be here. I thought it will be nice if I could get some practice for the upcoming annual airshow there.

If it is illegal, I'll not do it then.

[JWright]

If you take a look at the satellite view of MCAS Miramar, you'll see all the open space around the base. All that is owned by the Marines and they'll run you off if you try to shoot from there. Kearny Villa Road would be a good place, but the City of San Diego has marked that entire stretch as "No Stopping Any Time."

The only way to get good shots of aircraft at Miramar is to go to the airshow in October...

Now, NAS North Island is a different matter. You can get shots of departing aircraft from Cabrillo National Monument, but you'll need a long lens and there's an admission fee. You can also shoot from Coronado beach as the approach to runway 29 is right up the beach. Great spot if you like the bottom of airplanes. The big problem with North Island is that it doesn't have the traffic volume that Miramar does.

[MS-18E]

If you take a look at the satellite view of MCAS Miramar, you'll see all the open space around the base. All that is owned by the Marines and they'll run you off if you try to shoot from there. Kearny Villa Road would be a good place, but the City of San Diego has marked that entire stretch as "No Stopping Any Time."

The only way to get good shots of aircraft at Miramar is to go to the airshow in October...

Now, NAS North Island is a different matter. You can get shots of departing aircraft from Cabrillo National Monument, but you'll need a long lens and there's an admission fee. You can also shoot from Coronado beach as the approach to runway 29 is right up the beach. Great spot if you like the bottom of airplanes. The big problem with North Island is that it doesn't have the traffic volume that Miramar does.

Thank you for the information Sir. I will probably be purchasing a box seat ticket for the Oct. airshow. I guess I'll have to figure out how to shoot moving planes on that day.

I'm very interested in the Cabrillo National Monument area. Looks very interesting on their website. I might plan a trip there next weekend.

Thanks again.

[hooookup]

Does anyone know where would be a nice quiet spot around the Miramar MCAS area that I can get to, to take pictures of the F-18s and helis that often take-off and land there?

Harris Plant Rd just west of Kearny Villa Rd and just east of the old shotgun range. Need a long lens.

Made with a 500f4
http://jerodharris.smugmug.com/photos/212986742_ybqvQ-L.jpg

[JWright]

Even though you're not on Marine property, I would think they'd take a dim view of you being there, especially if the president was aboard the plane...

[hooookup]

Even though you're not on Marine property, I would think they'd take a dim view of you being there, especially if the president was aboard the plane...

The POTUS was indeed aboard the aircraft. As a legit member of the media it's my job to provide my employer and the clients that subscribe to our wire service with images of importance. This particular situation was during the fires of 2007 and I was about 3/4's of a mile from the runway on public property.

[JWright]

The POTUS was indeed aboard the aircraft. As a legit member of the media it's my job to provide my employer and the clients that subscribe to our wire service with images of importance. This particular situation was during the fires of 2007 and I was about 3/4's of a mile from the runway on public property.

They weren't giving media access to the base for the event?

[hooookup]

They weren't giving media access to the base for the event?
We had 2 guys inside, 1 pool and 1 exclusive. Being the low man on totem pole, I got assigned aerials including AF1 arrival/departure and Marine1 touring Rancho Bernardo.

[JWright]

We had 2 guys inside, 1 pool and 1 exclusive. Being the low man on totem pole, I got assigned aerials including AF1 arrival/departure and Marine1 touring Rancho Bernardo.

Sounds like a pretty cool gig...

[hooookup]

Sounds like a pretty cool gig...

It was very cool. I was on retainer for Newsweek magazine pretty much all week. They had me all over the county including a 15 hour stint at the Wild Animal Park to cover the moving of the animals. I didnt get much and none of my images ever ran but it was still a cool experience.

These were made at the back gate of the wild animal park
http://jerodharris.smugmug.com/photos/211718115_p7v4m-L.jpg

http://jerodharris.smugmug.com/photos/211719019_A9yJw-L.jpg

http://jerodharris.smugmug.com/photos/211718830_aKBZp-L.jpg

[DMPhoto]

Hey MS, check out www.Fencecheck.com, it's and aircraft shooters forum you can probably get your question answered there and avoid the M16 enema.

Dan

[kycruisecrazy]

If you take a look at the satellite view of MCAS Miramar, you'll see all the open space around the base. All that is owned by the Marines and they'll run you off if you try to shoot from there. Kearny Villa Road would be a good place, but the City of San Diego has marked that entire stretch as "No Stopping Any Time."

The only way to get good shots of aircraft at Miramar is to go to the airshow in October...

Now, NAS North Island is a different matter. You can get shots of departing aircraft from Cabrillo National Monument, but you'll need a long lens and there's an admission fee. You can also shoot from Coronado beach as the approach to runway 29 is right up the beach. Great spot if you like the bottom of airplanes. The big problem with North Island is that it doesn't have the traffic volume that Miramar does.

and its free. this would be your best chance. otherwise try parking at the end of the runway. i used to do this back in the 80's. dont know if you can still do this. but it cant hurt(much)

[JWright]

and its free. this would be your best chance. otherwise try parking at the end of the runway. i used to do this back in the 80's. dont know if you can still do this. but it cant hurt(much)

Did you read my post you quoted? The entire stretch of Kearny Villa Road that goes along the east end of the runway is posted "No stopping any time." It's been that way for at least ten years...