Last weekend, we went to Vasquez Rocks for our photo hike with our founder, Alex Yi.
The goal was to spend the afternoon with new and old friends capturing the beauty of landscapes. It’s an iconic spot for photography as it is one of those places that instantly grabs your attention with its dramatic, jagged rock formations that seem to defy gravity.
These unique features were shaped by seismic activity along the Elkhorn Fault, creating a landscape that’s both striking and otherworldly. The park’s name comes from Tiburcio Vásquez, a 19th-century bandit who used the area as a hideout, adding a cool layer of historical intrigue.
But what really makes Vasquez Rocks famous is its role as a filming location for tons of movies, TV shows, and commercials. If you’re a fan of “Star Trek,” “The Flintstones,” or “Planet of the Apes,” you’ll probably recognize the scenery right away.
On top of all that, it’s a fantastic spot for hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding, making it a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts. Plus, it’s part of the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, which means it’s protected and packed with educational programs about geology and history.
As iconic as it is, to our surprise, not a lot of people weren’t familiar with the area or have visited this place. Tucked in Agua Dulce Springs (45 mins from the heart of LA), it’s easy to miss it when you’re not looking for it. But, if you are wanting to get away from LA, I recommend checking this out.
When Anastasiya asked Alex on the reason why he chose Vasquez Rocks, his response was that “…it offers a more unique perspective and angles in capturing the outdoors”. And, that was the intention – to invite our customers to photograph unique perspectives and immerse themselves into the outdoors, instead of capturing the same shots that you would see on Instagram (when you look up Vasquez Rocks on the search engine).
Luckily, Ryan Tanaka (who is also our host) was there to give out some pointers on how to do just that.
Tim Ryugo also joined us; providing us films and good vibes throughout the hike.
The weather was in favor for us, as I thought that the high desert heat would be excruciating. But, it wasn’t. We walked one of the trails, led by Ryan, and started capturing our journey.
We stayed there till 7 pm, capturing as much as we can of the Vasquez Rocks.
After 7 pm, we headed out. Grabbed dinner. Then, headed home.
As always, it was great seeing so many people come to our events. We’ll be planning more this year; but, in the meantime, stop by Vasquez Rocks when you get the chance.
Till, next time.
