If you live in Chino Hills, you already know what I'm going to say: this city is genuinely beautiful. Rolling hills, open sky, protected land in every direction. It's one of the reasons I love shooting here so much — the light and landscape practically do the work for you.
Chino Hills State Park
The obvious one — and obvious for good reason. The park covers nearly 15,000 acres of rolling grassland, oak woodland, and canyon country, and it offers dramatically different looks depending on the time of year. Spring brings wildflowers that turn the hillsides purple and gold. Summer is dry and golden. Fall is warm and soft. Even winter has a stripped-down beauty when the grasses go silver and the hills have that clean, windswept look.
My favorite areas within the park are the Telegraph Canyon Trail corridor for shaded, forested sessions, and the open hillsides near the Bane Canyon area for wide, sweeping landscape shots.
Carbon Canyon Regional Park — the redwood grove
I'll say it again because it's so good and so surprising: there is a grove of coastal redwoods in Carbon Canyon Park. In Chino Hills. Actual redwoods. The grove sits along a seasonal creek and creates a shooting environment that feels nothing like Southern California — lush, green, towering, and almost completely uncrowded. Early morning sessions here have some of the most beautiful filtered light I've ever worked with.
The hilltops along Soquel Canyon
The ridgelines accessible from Soquel Canyon Parkway offer panoramic views and open terrain that photographs beautifully at golden hour. It requires a short walk to get to the best spots, but the payoff — wide sky, warm light, rolling hills in every direction — is worth every step.
Neighborhood sessions in the Preserve
The Preserve community in eastern Chino Hills backs directly up to the state park and has beautiful streetscapes, mature landscaping, and a warm neighborhood feel that works wonderfully for more relaxed, lifestyle-oriented family sessions.
Practical notes for Chino Hills sessions
The best time of year for Chino Hills sessions is March through May for wildflowers and September through November for golden grasses and cooler temperatures. Summer sessions are possible but I recommend early morning to beat the heat. Golden hour — the last hour before sunset — is consistently the best light all year round.
Ready to book a Chino Hills session? Reach out and let's find your date.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year for family photos in Chino Hills?
March through May for wildflowers and September through November for golden grasses and comfortable temperatures. Both seasons are stunning in different ways.
Is there a fee to shoot at Chino Hills State Park?
Yes — there is a day use fee per vehicle to enter Chino Hills State Park. I'll always let you know what to expect before your session so there are no surprises.
Where exactly is the redwood grove in Carbon Canyon?
The redwood grove is located within Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Chino Hills, off Carbon Canyon Road. It's a short walk from the parking area and well worth the trip.
Can we do a family session in Chino Hills in summer?
Yes — I recommend early morning sessions in summer to beat the heat. The light is beautiful at 7–8am and the temperatures are much more comfortable than midday.
How far is Chino Hills from Rancho Cucamonga?
Chino Hills is about 15–20 minutes from Rancho Cucamonga depending on traffic. No travel fees apply for Chino Hills sessions.
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