- Modern-day California is a melting pot of history, culture, nature, and loads of FUN!
- Explore the state from a unique bird’s-eye view perspective and visit these top locations by drone.
- Check out the basics of drone laws and regulations in the state.
California has been one of the most easily-recognizable U.S. states globally due to it being a center of the entertainment and fashion industries. With a rich history under its belt, the state has become a U.S. territory in 1847 and became an official state in 1850. Undoubtedly, the third-largest U.S. state is splendid in every aspect when you visit it as a tourist. But, experiencing California by drone is something else. Whether you want to explore the state from the comfort of your home through drone photos and videos or by actually visiting it and taking your drone with you, pay close attention to some of these top locations for drone photography and videography.
Moreover, the Golden State is home to fantastic cultural monuments and national parts including Disneyland, Hollywood, Yosemite National Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Also, it offers a plethora of natural wonders like sandy beaches along the Gold Coastline and Lake Tahoe. The summer vibes in the urban, metropolitan cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Sacramento, and the like attract countless tourists in need of fun, relaxation, and educational and cultural opportunities.
California Today
The state has been associated with gold when this natural resource was discovered around 1850s and a large wave of people headed for the West Coast. This and plenty of other significant cultural moments have influenced the birth of nicknames for California like the Golden State, El Dorado State, the Land of Milk and Honey, and the Grape State.
California has been an inspiration for numerous movies, shows, and songs. This is because of the many exciting places and activities that it offers. With a population of around 40 million citizens and a territory that stretches for almost 900 miles (around 1,448 kilometers) along the Pacific Ocean, it’s home to many landmarks and picturesque cities.
In addition, more than 6,500 plant types grow in the country. Starting from magnolia trees and jacarandas in purple color to Joshua trees that thrive in the Mojave Desert, there are plenty of natural beauties to enjoy.
They are accompanied by the many wildlife species that live in the forests and on the coast. The coast attracts many surfers, as well. They come for the giant waves whose height can reach as much as 50 feet (around 15 meters).
Considering all this, if you want to have fun and enjoy the busy nightlife, enjoy natural wonders, and learn something new from the places you see on the big screen all the time, California is your next destination. Below, we’ll focus on some locations you should visit by drone to get the most out of them.
The Flower Fields in Carlsbad
Credits to Mingomatic
The hills of North San Diego County are some of the most beautiful ones thanks to the vivid natural colors displayed all over them. Of course, we’re talking about the Flower Fields in Carlsbad.
Spreading across fifty acres, they are a rainbow of ranunculus flowers that has been present there for over sixty years. Besides being a treat for the eyes, they symbolize the official arrival of spring in Southern California. Also, they represent a significant part of the local heritage.
The spectacular colors are best witnessed from early March until early May, preferably by drone.
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Lombard Street
Credits to shotsbyquinn(left) and Brandon Nelson(right)
The fact is that San Francisco’s hills might be challenging if you aren’t used to them. Still, they provide personality and quirkiness to the city. Often, you’ll see people riding cable cars and racing down on bikes or skateboards. For the more adventurous type of people, driving down the curving streets is an option, too.
Speaking of hills and driving, San Fran’s Lombard Street is probably the most famous one in the city. Rightfully so, it has received the name “the most crooked street in the world.” The bends of Lombard Street were designed so fiercely to enhance the safety of the region – it’s close to other attractions such as Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown. The hills are so steep that drivers should slow down their vehicles, drive at the appropriate speed and be extremely cautious. If you’re on foot, it’s good to know that walking the length of the street does not take long. Still, to experience Lombard Street in its full glory, you must see it with a drone.
BONUS: The San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts is around 2 miles (3 kilometers) away from Lombard Street. Its unique architectural style is even more eye-catching when seen from above. Plus, you can catch the Golden Gate Bridge in the background since you can’t fly a drone directly above the bridge.
EXPLORE MORE LOCATIONS IN SAN FRANCISCO BY DRONE!
Big Sur
No, we aren’t talking about Apple’s operating system for Mac computers. Big Sur is an actual, vast, picturesque area in the southern part of Monterey County, California. Its rugged wilderness and untouched beauty sprawl across 70 miles (around 113 kilometers) of coastline. However, it’s remote and lacks plenty of resources in terms of facilities, vendors, hospitals, stores, and similar. Big Sur’s winding turns, coasts, and cliffs make it ideal for beachcombing activities, as well as hiking, and camping.
Of course, drone pilots would love the opportunity to explore through the lens of their drones. You should be careful, though, as drones can be discouraged and should be used if you can have permission.
Lake Tahoe
As the largest alpine lake in the United States, it’s split between the states of California and Nevada. What’s more, it attracts about three million visitors annually. What most of them find captivating about it is that are the distinctive bays that were sculpted by passing glaciers millions of years ago. Moreover, the lake is surrounded by tall and lush trees, as well as colorful granite cliffs. Lake Tahoe is a popular destination for sportspeople – joggers, golfers, skiers, swimmers, kayakers, and people who just want to unwind and spend their holiday recreationally. The beauty of nature is unparalleled when seen California by drone.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the most attractive destinations for visiting California by drone as we also found out in our conversation with Josh Fuhrman. This is because the city offers many spots for taking epic shots. Among them are parks, large green surfaces, beaches, and piers.
If you go there with a drone, you can firstly visit the Silver Lake Meadows – an open and large space with a lot of green spots. Also, it has many paths for walking around as well as catching sights of the Silver Lake and the Ivanhoe Reservoirs. With the mountains in the distance, you’ll be able to capture amazing footage.
Aside from this, Los Angeles has MacArthur Park and Lake Hollywood. Both places provide opportunities to see the city’s skyline with the tall imposing buildings while enjoying nature. From Lake Hollywood, you can catch the Hollywood sign in the background, as well.
BONUS: Beaches of the Golden Coast near LA
Fans of the ocean and the beach should visit the Golden Coast and the sandy beaches near the City of Angels. Besides wondrous views of the sand and the waves, you may also get some snaps of the ocean wildlife like whales and dolphins.
Some of the beaches, which are worth visiting include Newport Beach, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Laguna Beach, Hermosa Beach Pier, and more.
The latter, originally, was constructed in 1904, but it was washed away and built again in 1914. Made of concrete it’s a great site for taking drone shots. Views of the Pacific Ocean are also possible, promising an exciting experience. Have in mind you should obtain a local permit for flying over Hermosa beach.
California by Drone: Know the Basics of the Drone Laws and Regulations
As a U.S. state, drone usage in California is regulated by federal rules, state-wide rules, and local ones. The Federal Aviation Administration (often abbreviated to the FAA) is the institution that regulates drone flights on U.S.-level.
You can fly a drone in the state. Yet, pay special attention to where you’re flying it, the type of drone you’re flying, and similar.
For instance, hobbyist drone pilots should sit for the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). There are a couple of rules that they should follow. They include registering drones above 0.55 lbs (250 grams), keeping the drone within your line of sight, and similar.
It’s important to know that drones are prohibited in national parks. Also, you can’t fly near other aircraft or in restricted airspace such as airports or near emergency response efforts.
On the other hand, passing FAA’s Part 107 Small UAS Rule is a must for obtaining appropriate certification for commercial drone pilots in the state.
The state-wide laws (currently there are three of them) deal with the details and specifics of drone flights on the Californian territory. For example, they regulate entering the airspace of individuals, flying in wilderness areas, cultural and nature preserves, and similar. Furthermore, counties, cities, and towns in the state also have additional laws.
We, at The Drones World, urge drone pilots who want to visit California to carefully read the current drone laws and regulations. That way they can fully understand them so that they can keep themselves away from trouble. Fly safely and to respect the laws of the authorities!
Are you looking for more places to fly a drone in the United States? Check out Massachusetts and Colorado by drone! Also, take a closer look at some of Europe’s most beautiful locations like Budapest, Ireland, and Switzerland from an aerial perspective.
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