San Diego Locations for Engagement and Wedding Photos - Wedding photos taken at the top of the Pannikin Building Parking Garage in Gaslamp Quarter. — Wedding photos taken at the top of the Pannikin Building Parking Garage in Gaslamp Quarter.

Your engagement and wedding day are momentous occasions in your life and you will want your pictures to mark the moment and reflect the sentiment. You'll want to capture the beauty and romance of your union with your partner in a location that reflects the happiness you shared in those moments. This is why the unparalleled ambiance and scenic landscapes of San Diego are ideal for booking for photography session.

San Diego is truly a beautiful city, with great weather and plenty of photo opportunities during all four seasons. It offers a variety of unique locations such as scenic neighborhoods, modern urban backdrops, gorgeous beaches and picturesque natural landscapes - all just a short drive away from the city, making it an ideal spot for your engagement and wedding photos.

In this blog, I’ll go through some of my favorite spots that you can choose from. I’ve listed over 30 places for family photos in San Diego and discuss the benefits of investing in a professional photoshoot for your engagement and wedding.

What is the difference between engagement and wedding photos?

So you've found the person you love, the question has been popped, and you've decided to get married. Congratulations! Now you've probably got a lot in your mind that needs planning, including engagement and wedding photos... but what's the difference?

Both are concerned with key events before and during your wedding and are wonderful at capturing the commitment and love between you and your partner; there are some core differences that you might want to keep in mind when planning for these photoshoots.

Pro Tips to Planning Your Engagement Photos

Engagement photoshoots are meant to be fun and casual! You just got engaged and are kicking off the journey towards your big day! They are all about showing who you are as a couple, so don't be afraid to go off the wall and be creative, experiment, and have fun. You can try out a lot of different looks and ideas, and you don't have to worry about your hair or makeup being perfect.

Plus, this is the perfect opportunity for you to meet, connect and build up the chemistry with your wedding photographer. Not only will you learn a couple of flattering poses and be more comfortable in front of the camera, but you'll also get to know the person attending your special day and not have a stranger documenting this significant moment in your life.

Pro Tip: Many couples choose to use their engagement photoshoot as a 'save-the-date' announcement, so if that's something you're planning on, make sure to book your photographer early on, so there is enough time for editing the pictures and sending out your wedding invitations.

Pro Tip to Planning Your Wedding Photos

On the other hand, wedding photos are more formal, but don't worry—they can still be fun! They can include pre-wedding captures of the happy couple dressed up in their wedding attire (if you don’t mind letting go of tradition), and the events leading up to the ceremony; as well as the day itself.

Depending on your vision and your personality, you can choose between more candid or posed images. Just make sure to communicate with your photographer and don’t be afraid to express your preferences in order to achieve your desired results.

Even though the photoshoots are fun and exciting, they can also be extremely stressful and require advanced techniques and skill. That’s why when it comes to your wedding I would recommend investing in a professional photographer who can really bring your vision to life.

San Diego Locations for Engagement and Wedding Photos - Wedding photos taken at The Desert Garden in Balboa Park. — Wedding photos taken at The Desert Garden in Balboa Park.

Why You Should Invest in Wedding Photos with a Professional Photographer

A professional wedding photographer is someone who has extensive experience shooting weddings, and they know how to capture the best moments, whether they're posed or candid. They know how to tell your story uniquely, and they'll work with you to ensure that your memories are preserved forever.

If you're still not convinced, here are some things you may want to consider:

Great Opportunity for Family Portrait Photos

A wedding is one of the rare times where extended families, friends, and loved ones old and young gather together and may even travel from all over the world, to celebrate your love. There's no better time to get great family portraits and group shots of the people who matter most to you! A professional photographer will know which poses work well, how to use lighting in their favor, and where to stand so they don't get in the way of your guests or other wedding party members.

Plus, the final photographs will all be consistent with each other in terms of lighting and mood, so when you look back at them, it'll be like you're reliving each moment.

Your Wedding Is An Important Moment to Document

Your wedding is a big deal and deserves to be documented by someone who knows how to do it well. You want quality photos that look great and tell the story of your wedding day without being too intrusive or cliche. That's precisely what professional photographers are trained to do!

Preserve Memories with Candid Photos from Your Wedding Day

During your wedding, there will be moments that will pass by quickly. From your first dance with your partner, people filling up on cake, shy tears during your vows, and laughs throughout a speech, these are details that would otherwise go unnoticed without a photographer's keen eye.

A professional photographer will know how to capture all of this without making anyone feel uncomfortable or self-conscious, so the ceremony goes on smoothly, uninterrupted, and the memories are preserved forever!

Share Your Wedding Photos with Future Generations

When it comes down to it, your wedding photographs will last for years and will be cherished by your kids, grandkids, and countless future generations in your family.

If you're thinking of hiring a professional wedding photographer for your big day, don't hesitate! It's an investment in your future happiness that will pay off for years to come. And if you’re wondering where to take your wedding or engagement photos in San Diego before the big day, I’ve compiled this list below.

Top San Diego Photo Spots for Engagement, Wedding & Family Photos

I’ve broken this section down into different types of photography backdrops and vibes. You’ll find photo location ideas for modern urban themed spots, nature inspired places and of course those famous San Diego beaches.

San Diego Locations for Engagement and Wedding Photos - Wedding photos taken on the city streets of downtown San Diego at Gaslamp Quarter. — Wedding photos taken on the city streets of downtown San Diego at Gaslamp Quarter.

Modern Urban Photo Location Spots in San Diego

The Pannikin Building in San Diego’s Downtown Gaslamp Quarter

My husband’s family lives in the San Diego area and we love heading down with our kids to enjoy the beautiful weather and explore the sights. This blog post was inspired my sister-in-law’s wedding which took place inside The Pannikin building located in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.

I especially loved this venue with the rustic exposed red brick and huge windows which allowed in tons of natural light. Their wedding photographer Alyssa Famoso took wedding party photos inside the building, outside the building and on the roof at the parking garage in the same building. These three unique backdrops were so easy to shoot in a short timeframe because they are so close by to each together.

Downtown San Diego & Gaslamp Quarter

With romantic spots dotted all over the area, standout architecture, lively nightlife, and the general feel-good atmosphere of the area, you can’t go wrong with Downtown San Diego. The area has a mix of anything you could wish for - particularly very modern and updated urban buildings, lights and city streets which is a big trend in photography nowadays for couples and families.

San Diego Rooftop Photo Spots

I personally love a rooftop photo spot where you can see the city skyline as a backdrop. Below I’ve created a quick cheat sheet with top rooftop photo spots in San Diego.

San Diego Natural History Museum's El Mirador Rooftop Terrace Venue Space
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter Altitude Sky Lounge Rooftop Bar
The Ultimate Skybox at DiamondView Tower
Fairweather Rooftop Bar

Little Italy

The casual and laid-back vibe of Little Italy is great for anyone looking to have a little fun with their engagement photos.

The area is packed with trendy bars, busy restaurants, and bustling patios with colorful lights. So wear your fanciest (or most casual) outfit, depending on what you’re going for, and head out to the main streets to capture this moment.

The most walkable streets in Little Italy are Kettner Boulevard and India Street. A great starting point to walk with your photographer is the cross-street at W Laurel Street and Kettener Boulevard. Walk towards W Kalmia Street.

Pigment Boutique’s Pink Mural Wall in North Park

Pigment’s mural is more than just a pink wall. It’s an Insta-famous location with the perfect shades of ombre pink and dreamy lighting that makes for a great engagement photo spot. It’s feminine, colorful, and full of whimsy, perfect for capturing the playful side of your relationship. The pink hues and softness of the mural may just be the backdrop you didn’t know you needed!

Holy Matcha in North Park

If you’re loving the pink vibe, then maybe you should consider a fun photoshoot inside the Instagrammable Holy Matcha cafe in North Park. This is a popular photo spot and the staff is very friendly and open to visitors coming in with cameras. They can also make you a cute matcha latte with a romantic heart for photos.

Communal Coffee locations in North Park and South Park

Both Communal Coffee North Park and South Park locations have gorgeous aesthetics, indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for bright, feel-good California shots.

Whether you want a classic coffee shop vibe or something more boho, Communal Coffee is the place for you. Plus, I'm sure you know how hard it is to get a good photo when there's not enough light, right? Well, their outdoor patios stay light outside until about 8pm during the warmer months of the year.

Don't forget to treat yourself to some delicious coffee, matcha or pastry afterward. I'm sure you deserve it!

San Diego’s Top Parks & Gardens for Family Photos

Balboa Park

I could literally write a dedicated blog post just on photo spots inside Balboa Park because there’s so many scenic spots inside this enormous 1,200 acre park oasis inside the San Diego city limits.

When it comes to picturesque monuments, luscious greenery and charming backdrops like fountains, bridges, and Spanish-style buildings, Balboa park has it all! Balboa is the largest cultural park in the country with a variety of elements to suit anyone’s engagement or wedding shoot wishes.

The best part about Balboa Park is that the entrance is completely free and unlike other parks in Southern California, it does not require a photography permit.

To keep it brief and to the point, I have listed a few of my favorite Balboa Park photo spots:

The Desert Garden: A vast expanse of distinctive drought-resistant plants, including succulents, cacti and other desert species of various sizes and shapes. For my sister-in-law’s wedding, we took family and wedding party photos here before heading over to the venue downtown.
The Old Cactus Garden: A hidden and very old garden developed in 1935 by Kate Sessions. This garden is home to rare specimens and includes some of the largest species of cacti in the whole park. You can see photos inside the old cactus garden in my Balboa Park guide and my Frida themed photo session here.
Both gardens are truly enchanting and worth exploring if you want to incorporate some boho nature-inspired elements in your photos.
Botanical Building & Lily Pond: Probably the most recognizable photo spots in Balboa are taking in front of the very large birdcage looking building and the large lily pond. Scroll to see the photos taken with our newborn in front of the Botanical Building.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion: Pretty much every time I visit Balboa Park I see a family or wedding photo session taking place inside the grand columns of the Spreckles Organ Pavilion. The detailed and ornate architecture makes for very classic-style photos.
Bea Evenson Fountain: My husband and I took family photos with our newborn daughter in front of this huge fountain and they turned out really cute. Scroll down to take a peek at them.

Pro Tip: Make sure to download the official Balboa Park application to find exhibits, browse different spots, get directions, and search from anything including ATMs, food vendors and restrooms in case you need an outfit change!

San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park

For those looking for a unique wedding experience, did you know that you can get married at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park! Known as Wild Weddings, you can host your wedding and of course take your wedding photos inside the Safari Park.

The park is a working safari spanning 1,800 acres, so it has animals roaming around, and there are plenty of attractive opportunities for distinct portraits. But, this isn't just any park zoo - it's home to over 3,600 animals representing 300 species and has an extensive botanical garden with over 1.3 million plants! And did I mention that there are lions? Because there are lions.

So if you're looking for an exciting new way to document your love and want something that will stand out among all those other couples' engagement photos, this is a terrific option!

The Flower Fields of Carlsbad

This is one of the most impressive spots on the west coast, and it's sure to wow your friends and family The field overflows with flowers, stretching as far as the eye can see. In the fifty acres of land that make up the Fields, you'll find rows upon rows of 700 million colorful and blooming ranunculus flowers. It's like being in a dream, and it's the perfect backdrop for either engagement or wedding shoot! Remember that the field is in peak bloom season between early March and May, so plan ahead!

Pro Tip: While the flower fields make for a magical photo spot, it is very expensive to have a photoshoot with a professional photographer. For engagement and wedding photoshoots they charge $250 an hour with a minimum of $500 per session. See their policies here.

San Diego Locations for Engagement and Wedding Photos - The Flower Fields in Carlsbad. — The Flower Fields in Carlsbad.

Leo Carrillo Ranch

The seclusion, rich history, and gorgeous landscape of the Leo Carrillo Ranch make it a perfect place for your engagement or wedding photos. You can also book it as a wedding venue!

This ranch has unique vintage style buildings with pops of color including bright turquoise blue in contrast to the white and wood walls. There's plenty of cute photo ops with the barns, stone archways, exposed brick, very tall cactus plants and picturesque rustic scenery. Not to mention all the beautiful peacocks roaming the property.

Centennial Park in Coronado

Centennial Park offers a vast and bright scenic viewpoint of the San Diego skyline sitting on top of the bay water. The atmosphere and greenery of the Park give your daytime photos a bright and cheerful feeling. If you start shooting as the sun goes down, you'll see the city lights reflect and twinkle on the water.

Mission Bay Park

A green oasis right in the heart of San Diego, Mission Bay Park incorporates lush green lawns with palm trees and bay views. If you'd like to include your pet dog into your photos, this is a very calm and dog-friendly place in San Diego. It's also a easy place to take family photos with the kids, and then they can run around on the grass afterwards.

Belmont Park in Mission Bay

This retro-style beachfront amusement park will truly bring out your childlike spirit. You can take a spin on the countless rides and play carnival games with your special someone. The scenery will offer brilliant colors and sparkling lights for your engagement or wedding photos!

Don’t forget to make a pitstop at the photo booth and get yourselves a little souvenir that only you get to keep to remember from your special day.

Old Town, San Diego

Old Town is a historic San Diego district full of vintage-style Americana and Mexican architecture, Mexican food restaurants and Mexican artisan shops. It's known as a romantic place for couples to visit together—and it's no wonder why!

Walking through Old Town is like taking a time machine back to the eras of the late 1800s. Your photos will stand out with a romantic nostalgia vibe, and there's plenty of twinkling lights to capture a little photo magic. The wrap-around wooden porch at the historical Cosmopolitan Hotel and the Spanish-style tiled staircase are both excellent choices for couple's engagement photos.

See more photos in my blog post dedicated to San Diego’s Old Town.

Torrey Pines State Reserve Park

The Torrey Pines Reserve is known for its gorgeous scenery, including the ever-popular Torrey Pines Gliderport with its stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. It's also home to the endangered species of Torrey pine trees, native to San Diego County, that gives the park its name.

I love the rugged coastal vibe of the place, there’s so many unique cliff and rock formations that add texture and depth to photos. The countless gorgeous hiking trails offer great ocean views for photos.

San Diego Locations for Engagement and Wedding Photos - Tall cactus plants in Old Town San Diego. — Tall cactus plants in Old Town San Diego.

Point Loma

The rugged peninsula of Point Loma is a favorite spot of mine. The views of the water, the historic building, and the beautiful greenery make it a must-have in your wedding photography options.

If you’re looking for something eerier and with a mysterious vibe, check out the old lighthouse next to the Cabrillo National Monument. The light will be fantastic if you go in the early morning or late afternoon, and the views are always gorgeous.

You have to be aware of an entrance fee, so always do your due research beforehand.

Point of interest to check out in Point Loma are:

Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma: The Sunset Cliffs span one and a half miles across the Point Loma Peninsula, overlooking the Northern Pacific Ocean, and offer abundant stunning views of both land and sea with unique opportunities for creative shots.
The beautiful, rugged cliffs create the perfect backdrop to capture your love story, and the seclusion of the area makes it feel like you're in a different world altogether. You'll have to contend with the crowds in the summer, but if you go early or later in the day, you should have the place mostly to yourselves.
There are multiple vantage points across the ocean, and there are also rocky areas, grassy fields, and even caves, all there for you to explore and experiment with!
Cabrillo National Monument Park in Point Loma: Another beautiful setting in the Point Lama region is the Cabrillo National Monument Park. The park's vantage point offers a captivating panoramic view of the region below, and it's also of great historical significance to the region, commemorating the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542.
Pro Tip: Service can be pretty hard to reach in these areas, so communicate with your photographer or any other person accompanying you beforehand!

Best Beaches in San Diego for Engagement, Wedding & Family Photos

San Diego has some of the most picturesque beaches in the world. You’ll also find a wide variety of beach landscapes including white sandy beaches, cliff views with rock formations and even stunning piers. Read on to see detailed descriptions of the most popular beaches for photography in San Diego.

La Jolla Beaches

If you're looking for a beautiful, natural location to shoot your engagement or wedding photos, the La Jolla Beaches are for you!

La Jolla Cove: I love La Jolla Cove because of how intimate it feels. The shape of the rocky cliffs and the calm water shifting in, and reflecting the colors of the sky make for the most romantic backdrop. On a clear day the water can be very bright turquoise blue which is rare in California. This beach does get very busy on weekends so I suggest taking photos early on a week day.

La Jolla Shores Beach: La Jolla Shores Beach is a very long and spacious stretch of white sandy beach and calm waves. There’s very easy access for a quick photoshoot.

Black's Beach: I’m writing about Black’s Beach to give you a heads up not to attempt to take photos here. While this secluded beach is very pretty and picturesque, it is hard to access and is an active nude beach. Folks sunbathing in the nude probably won’t take kindly to photographers taking photos with their camera.

That being said, very high above the beach at the top of the cliffs is the Gliderport parking lot. This cliff-side lookout spot is a popular photo spot where you can see horizon ocean views.

Scripps Pier in La Jolla

I have Scripps Pier listed separately than the rest of the La Jolla beaches because it’s both my favorite to photograph and have a family beach day.

The Pier has a long and colorful history and it’s still used today for research purposes. Top of the pier is closed to the general public but anyone can walk along the beach underneath. The Scripps Pier is a stunning and iconic La Jolla landmark and adds a little architecture drama to your beach photos.

The lighting at golden hour is magical, and you can get some great angles and play around with the perspective by shooting both under the pier and at an angle to the side.

Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach

If you're into Piers, another great option is the Crystal Pier on the Pacific Beach. This pier is especially large and open for pedestrians to walk along the top. There's even adorable beach cottage rentals that you can book to spend the night on the pier above the water. Standing on the pier deck you'll see amazing ocean views and even catch a few surfers riding the waves.

Coronado Beach

This nearly endless stretch of gorgeous fine white sand, along with the beautiful hotels and cabanas lining up the shoreline, is flawless! It's no wonder that in 2012 Coronado Beach was named number one of all the beaches in the United States! The although the Hotel del Coronado sits on the coastline right next to the sand, this beach is open for the public to enjoy.

Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas

Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas is one of the most beautiful spots in San Diego and has a lot going for it: a gorgeous coastline, great lighting, and plenty of space for your photographer to explore different angles and photo composition.

The beach is popular with surfers, but it's also very family-friendly. If you're looking for somewhere that feels very casual Southern California, this is a great option.

San Diego Hiking Trails for Photoshoots

Saigon Trail / Ho Chi Minh Trail

If you’re the type of couple that enjoys an action packed lifestyle full of adventure and daredevil stunts, then maybe a calm walk on the beach just won’t cut it for your engagement photos. The Ho Chi Minh Trail is a popular photo destination because of the very unique rock formations and ocean views. Be aware that this trail has some very steep inclines which some may even refer to as treacherous. This trail is not for the faint of heart but it will deliver some really amazing photos!

Potato Chip Rock Hiking Trail

Another fun hiking themed photo idea is climbing the Mount Woodson Trail to the top and taking photos at Potato Chip Rock. This rock formation which looks like a giant horizontal potato chip and you can stand at the tip for a funny photo. Walking up the trail you will most likely break a big sweat so plan on bringing a backpack with supplies to fresh-up.

Best Day Trips from San Diego for Your Photo Session

Temecula Wine Country

Wine lovers unite! Move over Napa Valley because Temecula is the up and coming new California Wine Country. The area is home to hundreds of award-winning wines and the charming nature of the vineyards is the perfect spot to grab your engagement or wedding photos. Why not make a weekend of it and book a stay at the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa which has vineyard views right from your hotel balcony.

Cruisin’ Grand Vintage Car Show in Escondido

Many couples love the idea of incorporating cute and vintage cars into their engagement and wedding photos. At the Cruisin’ Grand weekend car shows in Escondido you can take photos with cool cars and connect with local car collectors. I also have a complete guide to renting retro classic and cool cars for photoshoots on the blog.