I have enjoyed sharing some of my favorite spots in Yosemite and Big Sur with you over the Summer and Fall 😉, but as we head into Winter I’d like to take you to a favorite local hidden spot. If you’re a photographer you’ll definitely love this place...welcome to Grimes Canyon.

Due to the pandemic, most of my year has been spent close to home practicing safe social distancing. As an avid nature lover I’ve tried to incorporate as much outdoor time as possible, but this year I’ve been thoughtful about enjoying quiet places that no one else will be at…and Grimes Canyon fits that bill. Grimes Canyon Road is a 2-lane section of Highway 23 that connects Moorpark and Simi Valley to the Fillmore area (just north of Los Angeles)…and if you enjoy a winding drive, this is a fun little detour.

What makes Grimes Canyon extra special for photographers is a small overview that looks out above the twisting road below. For sunset and long exposure shooting, the spot is a local gem. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know my husband Nate (@suddenlysee) takes the majority of my pics...lucky me! We shot at Grimes Canyon when Neowise was in town over the Summer, and I’ve asked Nate to share a little bit about why he likes shooting here below. And make sure to check out all his beautiful prints for sale here. If you’re looking to update any space at your home or office, his artwork is an awesome addition to any space! ☺️

Nate’s Take

The lookout point along Grimes Canyon Road is a wonderfully unique spot for photographers. The main attraction is certainly the opportunity for long exposure captures of light trails, courtesy of the evening traffic along the road. The best time to visit is during the Winter months during Daylight Savings…that way you can capture the heavy rush hour while it’s plenty dark enough to slow your shutter speed down. In case you’re curious, the settings for the above shot were: 24mm, f/18, ISO 320, 30 seconds. Drop a note in the comments below if you have any questions about DSLR settings 😊

And although the main draw is the night photography, make sure to come early for the sunset. The angle at which you are viewing the horseshoe bend lines up beautifully with the setting sun over the Topatopa Mountains in the distance..

Be sure to bring your tripod, a wide angle lens, and your favorite ND (Neutral Density) filters if you're planning on shooting long exposure while it's still light out (here is a really helpful article for more info on ND filters). And if you'd like to peek behind the curtain to see what equipment we use, below are links to some of our favorite gear. Enjoy and happy shooting!

Canon 5d Mark IV DSLR
Wide Angle Lens EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Peak Design Travel Tripod
Vello Wireless Remote Shutter

Know Before You Go

• Please be considerate of the Leave no Trace Principles to help keep this place wild and beautiful.

• Make sure to bring a headlamp or good flashlight with you for the walk back to your car if you will be shooting after sunset.

• There are no toilets or trash cans here, so please leave no trace...so that we can all enjoy this spot together for years to come.

• There is a small dirt pull-off where you can park your car (here). From there it’s a short 100ft walk or so to the trailhead (here). The trail itself is only another 50ft or so to the overlook.

• Although the hike is relatively short, this is not an official trail, so the brush can be a little heavy in some areas.

• We like to bring lawn chairs to sit in while enjoying the views. Just beware of ants! Fire ants can be abundant here, and their bites can be nasty.

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

Thanks for joining me today at Grimes Canyon. For more information see my Behind the Blog video below…and until next week I hope you find adventure encouragement wherever you go!

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