13 Best San Diego Engagement Photo Locations

By Tata Rossi, Tetiana Kostylieva 16 days ago, Photography Tips

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Urban San Diego Engagement Photo Locations

San Diego engagement photo locations are so incredibly varied due to its soft Mediterranean climate that a couple can find a suitable option during any time of the year, whether they want a beautiful beach, a tranquil park, or a mesmerizing coastline.

My personal popular destinations like Balboa Park feature stunning Spanish-style architecture and sprawling gardens, while La Jolla Cove will attract you with its striking coastal cliffs and golden-hour oceanic scenery.

1. Balboa Park

balboa park san diego engagement photo location

Address: Balboa Park, San Diego, California, EE. UU 92104
Hours: 24/7
Entry fee: Free

The globally popular Balboa Park is the go-to destination for all kinds of scenic spots, which include the Spanish Village Art Center, the Botanical Building, and the breathtaking Renaissance architecture sprinkled across the entire park.

This location is pleasantly diverse and is full of museums and landmarks, making it easy for anyone to find a suitable for implementing most of their engagement photo ideas without having to look for other places.

Photographer’s advice: Come earlier or later into the day if you don’t want to deal with crowds, particularly near the Botanical Building. Most spots can be accessed for free, but some areas can demand a permit for professional photography.

2. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

sunset cliffs park san diego engagement photo location

Address: Ladera St, San Diego, CA 92107
Hours: 24/7
Entry fee: Free

Offering striking oceanic scenery, Sunset Cliffs is one of the most mesmerizing engagement photo locations in San Diego, providing particularly terrific results at golden hour and sunset if you want your pictures to convey a romantic atmosphere. I adore the untouched, rugged vibe of this place.

Pro tip: Parking spaces are heavily contested, so I recommend coming early, especially if you want to be here in time for sunset. Getting to the most scenic spots also requires a bit of walking.

3. Mission Trails Regional Park

mission trails park san diego engagement photo location

Address: 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119
Hours: 24/7
Entry fee: Free

Endless open trails, mountains, and rough terrain – these are the trademarks of Mission Trails, which are ideal if the newly engaged couple strives for the great outdoors and an earthy atmosphere.

This park impressed me with its large number of trails, dam, mountain peaks, and diverse flora and fauna, which includes both harmless creatures and poison oaks, cougars, snakes, and spiders. That's why I always expand my engagement photography gear with a small first aid kit whenever I plan to hit the mountain trail.

Pro tip: Try to capture early morning or late afternoon lighting. You can park for free, but reaching certain trails can take a bit of hiking, although the views you get as a reward are worth it.

4. Japanese Friendship Garden

japanese friendship garden san diego engagement photo location

Address: 2215 Pan American E Rd, San Diego, CA 92101
Hours: 10:00 AM – 17:00 PM
Entry fee: From $14 per person

A part of the Balboa Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden features serene ponds, picturesque gardens, and a broad range of diverse plants, establishing a peaceful, intimate atmosphere. The sakura trees here bloom in March, so pick a spring engagement photo outfit to get some unique Japan-styled pictures.

Note! You’ll need to pay to enter, but the captivating scenery here will ensure you don’t regret the money you spend. Ask the staff about photo permits since professional photoshoots might have certain limitations and there are some sights with notices informing you that taking photos there is not allowed.

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5. La Jolla Cove and Shores

la jolla cove san diego engagement photo location

Address: La Jolla Cove, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hours: 24/7
Entry fee: Free

La Jolla Cove is one of San Diego’s cornerstone locations for engagement photography featuring rocky cliffs, oceanic scenery, and a beautiful beach. The beach is one of the best places for taking engagement photos among all San Diego locations, as you can find sea lions, seals, and dolphins all living nearby.

Note! This place is extremely popular, so I suggest going early in the morning or on a weekday to have some space. Parking can also be challenging, particularly during the busy summer season.

6. Torrey Pines State Reserve

torrey pines reserve san diego engagement photo location

Address: 12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hours: 7:00 AM – 23:00 PM
Entry fee: $11.95 per person

Torrey Pines provides a combination of natural scenery with lengthy trails, intimidating cliffs, and stunning oceanic vistas. This place is perfect if you're interested in a more untamed setting with some eye-catching scenery and relic trees. You might also get lucky like me and see some lynxes in their natural environment.

Photographer’s advice: You’ll need to pay a fee to get inside, but it’s worth the price of admission given how empty and beautiful this park is. Sunset pictures are exceptionally stunning here since you can have the Pacific Ocean in the background.

7. Coronado Beach

coronado beach san diego engagement photo location

Address: Ferry Landing Marketplace, 1201, 1st St, Coronado, CA 92118
Hours: 24/7
Entry fee: Free

The resort town of Coronado represents one of the best engagement photo locations in the San Diego area, as it’s almost entirely situated on the coastline while neighboring a Navy military base.

Coronado Beach is bellowed for its large sandy shore and breathtaking Hotel del Coronado, which is why it's perfect for a serene, romantic photoshoot at golden hour.

Pro tip: Take some pictures before sunset, as the golden hour looks particularly great near the hotel. You can park your car for free, but there aren’t a lot of spaces here so try to arrive early.

8. Windansea Beach

Address: 6600 Neptune Pl, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Entry fee: Free

This beach features beautiful stone formations and a visually striking coastline, perfect for the bravest and most creative couple poses and romantic sunset photos. It’s my favorite location for beachside portraits, as this place is rarely crowded and is mostly known as a safe haven for surfers and sand crabs.

Photographer’s advice: Organize the photoshoot early in the morning or closer to the evening since noon’s strong sunlight will make it difficult to take good photos.

9. Torrey Pines Gliderport

torrey pines gliderport san diego engagement photo location

Address: 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hours: 9:00 AM – 18:00 PM
Entry fee: Grounds are accessible for free

This is one of the best San Diego engagement photo locations if you want to get a great view of the ocean, while having gliders fly in the backdrop, making your pictures look even more exciting. People purposefully drive down here to witness the sunset with the cliffs in the background, while watching the gliders have a calming effect on my psyche.

Note! Expect some strong winds and bring enough clothes to withstand the cold if the weather promises to be rough. You can go to the gliderport for free, but be warned that the parking lot tends to be full very often.

10. Old Town San Diego

old town san diego engagement photo location

Address: Old Town, San Diego, CA 92110
Hours: 24/7
Entry fee: Free

For couple photo ideas that involve Mexican heritage and architecture, the Old Town San Diego will amaze you with its restored Missionary Catholic buildings, old pathways, and awe-inspiring historic landmarks.

I recommend visiting during a weekday to have less tourists in your shots. There are plenty of parking spaces, but they tend to be filled quite quickly.

11. Liberty Station

liberty station san diego engagement photo location

Address: 2400 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
Hours: 24/7
Entry fee: Free

Liberty Station is great if you’re looking for good locations in San Diego for engagement photos, as it features artistic installations, beautiful fountains, and green walkways, offering a mix of urban elements and nature.

You’ll have no trouble parking, which is very handy if you have a lot of gear or props. Come here early to shoot in the gardens and in front of art installations without having to deal with tourists.

12. Seaport Village

seaport village san diego engagement photo location

Address: 849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Hours: 10:00 AM – 21:00 PM
Entry fee: Free

This isolated beachside village is one of the most unique engagement photo locations in San Diego, as it features brightly colored houses, picturesque scenery, and a romantic boardwalk that is ideal for couple photography if you're interested in something more playful. Just like most visitors, I was greatly appreciative of the local services, cleanliness, and beautiful views that opened up from the top.

Photographer’s advice: Consider visiting during the workweek to encounter less people, and while the parking spaces are paid, they make your life a lot easier if you have a lot of gear. I recommend shooting at sunset while having San Diego Bay in the backdrop.

13. The Salk Institute

salk institute san diego engagement photo location

Address: 10010 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 АM on weekdays
Entry fee: Free after you register

A perfect example of contemporary architecture, the Salk Institute is a minimalist San Diego engagement photo location that can serve as the perfect symmetrical background if you have some creative photography ideas with a refined, artistic flair to them. I think this destination is a must-visit for any architecture photographer. Its even lines and symmetrical elements look particularly great at sunset.

Pro tip: You’ll need a permit to organize a professional shoot and I recommend going on the weekend when it’s less crowded. You can enter the building by pre-registering for an excursion and you can enter the inner yard for an additional fee. It’s worth noting that even using something like a travel tripod is forbidden here

Tata Rossi

Tech Trends Journalist

Tata Rossi is a photographer-advisor, key contributor at FixThePhoto, sharing her expertise about photography and 55% of photos you see at our blog are taken by her. She is a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She is the main so-called teacher in our team, conducting courses on photography and editing for beginners and anyone interested.

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Tetiana Kostylieva

Photo & Video Insights Blogger

Tetiana Kostylieva is the content creator, who takes photos and videos for almost all FixThePhoto blog articles. Her career started in 2013 as a caricature artist at events. Now, she leads our editorial team, testing new ideas and ensuring the content is helpful and engaging. She likes vintage cameras and, in all articles, she always compares them with modern ones showing that it isn’t obligatory to invest in brand-new equipment to produce amazing results.

Read Tetiana's full bio

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