REQ Tip for one day spotting in California

[marcel32us]

Hi All,

In May I'll be in California for a non-spotting trip, but managed to squeeze in a day of spotting. I will be staying in El Segundo, close to LAX.

For my civil fix I know where to go on LAX itself, but I'm looking for some military action too. Where would ya'll go if you had one day to spend?

TIA,
Marcel

[Richard from Rotterdam]

Hawthorne around the corner has a nice little museum (Northrop Grumman made aircraft especially). Long Beach for the C-17 factory, a bit further away March AFB maybe?

[Trabanti]

It's a bit of a drive but what I did was drop the lady off at Cabazon outlet for some serious fashion shopping and drive a little back to visit Hemet-Ryan firebase and March AFB. Next to the interesting museum at March is an excellent viewing area. Miramar is too risky unless you have a base-visit. I spoke to a police man who is also an aviation ethusiast and even he got sent away, watching landing traffic without a camera! Same story at Pt. Mugu I heard.

Or make an early morning start and head for San Diego, North Island is always fun and the wife can enjoy the beach while you do your thing..

Enjoy!

[marcel32us]

Thanks so far Guys! I was thinking about North Island too.

For now my route would look a little like this:

6AM dep El Segundo (Due to jetlag I'll be awake at 4AM anyway
8AM arr North Island, spend time on the beach under the approach
10AM Take the boat tour around North Island
11AM dep San Diego
12AM arr Carlsbad Palomar for some general aviation
1PM dep Carlsbad Palomar
2PM arr March AFB museum
3PM dep March
4PM arr Long Beach for C-17's and civil
6PM dep Long Beach
6.30PM arr In 'n out burger at LAX until dawn.

Anyone more tips to see more aircraft on one day?

Oh, BTW: I could find some mention about a museum in Hawthorne, but not the museum itself. Anyone for coordinates?

[Arjan]

Don't forget to take a look at Los Alamitos AAF near Long Beach. It should still be host to Blackhawks / Kiowa's and a couple of C-12's

[marcel32us]

Thanks for the tip. I tried Los Alamitos last time I was in California (2009) and saw nothing (except for the gate guards). Any chance of a GPS-location from where the action can be seen?

[D.R.]

Not sure about Hawthorne, there is a Northrop inspired museum in Torrance at Zamperini Field.
There is also Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum at Compton-Woodley. http://www.tamuseum.org

[Trabanti]

Hi Marcel, I think your timelines are quite challenging, unless this is on a Sunday. Probably not because then North Island won't be very active. Take into account traffic in and around LA is horrific, just crossing the city can take hours already, also outside rush hour.

Best regards, have fun!

Bart

[marcel32us]

Hi Bart,
I know, I like an ambitious plan LOL. Better to have some spare destinations then to end up in my hotel at 3PM with nothing left to do...

[Oscar01]

Hi,

I was in that area before, and I'll buy you a beer if you can make that schedule Though North Island and March (and Long Beach) are nice indeed. Los Alamitos I tried, but couldn't find anything....

Good luck!
Oscar

[doncorleone117]

Los Almitos maybe from here for the numbers: http://maps.google.ch/maps?q=33.782795, ... 1&t=h&z=17 . When you are in North Island you could drive 20min to NOLF Imperial Beach.

But Trabanti is right. The traffic in and around LA is horrible.

Good luck !

[SquAdmin]

I would probably take the public tour at Edwards AFB and take a peek at Palmdale on the way back.

[Oscar01]

Depends on the day and you have to book it quite some time in advance! When I asked for it, the next 2 months were booked already completely.

But indeed a nice suggestion as well.

Oscar

[marcel32us]

Tried to squeeze in Edwards and Palmdale, but those are to far away. I definately want another chance at North Island though.

Thanks for the tips guys!!