Back to forums

Astrophotography Field Trip in Mendocino County, July 14-17, 2023

Dark Site Meetup
SF Bay Area Imagers •2 replies•102 views
Jerry Gerber avatar
Jerry Gerber avatar
I rented a house for 3 nights in Mendocino county in a Bortle 1-2 area for July 14-17.

It has a large field and excellent horizon access. I've been there and it's ideal for astrophotographers and it's less than a 3 hour drive from San Francisco.  It's a comfortable place with 2 bedrooms, one of the rooms has bunk beds. You can drive right up to where you'll set up your scope. If there are any Bay Area astrophotographers that want to join us, reach out to me and we can talk. It's about a 3 hour drive from San Francisco.   Not near the coast.

I have to decide whether to take the place or not by June 30, so there's a deadline here. Cost will vary, depending upon on how many photographers go. The place rents for $1000 for 3 nights, we'd split the cost.   Groceries can be purchased in Ukiah or Willits.

Write to me for details if interested!  If you think you might want to go, I can meet you in San Francisco for coffee to get acquainted.

UPDATE:  It looks like there are now two astrophotographers going.   Ideally, I'd like the number to be 3 or 4 people total.   If you want to image at a great site and not have to camp outside, this is the place.  Let me know as soon as possible!
I just returned from there and shot these two images:

Jerry

https://www.astrobin.com/20h6om/
https://www.astrobin.com/lycbb3/
Helpful Engaging Supportive
Tom S. avatar
Tom S. avatar
Where about in the county?  I grew up outside of Willits in a Bortle 1-2 area.   Beautiful part of California.  Enjoy your trip and skies!
Tom
Well Written Respectful Supportive
Jerry Gerber avatar
Jerry Gerber avatar
Our field trip for July 14-17 is on!   Weather looking good-the place we're going is far from the coast so fog won't be an issue, it wasn't when I was there a few weeks ago when the coast was foggy.

Kevin McLoughlin and I are going and we'd love to have a 3rd, and a 4th, astrophotographer join us.  The house we're staying at is really nice, two bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, one with a bed and 2 bunk beds, large living room, kitchen with microwave, stove, refrigerator and in a beautiful area surrounded by low-lying hills that are high enough to block skyglow from nearby towns (nearest small town is about 30 miles away) but low enough to give us great horizon access.  It's really ideal for astrophotography.  We can set up our gear right next to our cars, so no need to lug equipment more than a few feet.

Cost with 3 people is $350 per person for 3 nights, not including food.  For four people, cost is $262.50 for 3 nights. 

Send me a private message if you're able to make it!

Jerry
Helpful Engaging