San Diego Photoshoot Locations

This San Diego Photo Location List is meant as a helpful guide to help you choose you’re next photo location. Whether it’s for family photos, engagement photos, senior photos, or wedding portraits. Feel free to look up more information into these locations on your own and do any other necessary research.

If you’re looking for the sister post, North County San Diego Photo Locations check it out here. Cheers!

La Jolla

La Jolla Cove - Shoot on top of this bluff (Goldfish Point), and then you can also shoot along the coastal trail to the right.

La Jolla Scripps Pier - Shoot alongside the shore and then underneath the pier, aim for a weekday to avoid foot traffic.

La Jolla Shores - You can shoot on the grassy section, make your way to some of the small cliffs, and access one of the beaches to the left.

Cuvier Park - In the same area but further down south, this section has grassy sections that overlook the ocean bluffs, and also has access to the tidepools and beach.

Windansea Beach- has a classic little beach hut, beach access, and some nice smaller bluff formations

San Diego

Belmont Park - An open area with a carousel, a rollercoaster ride, ice cream shop, has a very fair like vibe, you can even shoot at the arcade, before you make your way over to the sandy beach.

Sunset Cliffs- A classic location for photoshoots, it has beautiful bluffs that stretch into the ocean, also features great arch formations, and some areas have limited beach access.

Balboa Park - Another classic and for good reason, it has a variety of “backdrops” to choose from. You can shoot at the Organ Pavillion for those white columns and stairs, shoot at the various gardens like The Alcatraz Garden, Rose Garden, and even the Cactus Garden. You can also shoot in front of the different architectural buildings/musuems that have ornate detailing or along the hallways. There are fountains, and you can even make your way over to the Spanish Village for pops of color. Near the Zoo wooden walkway you can also shoot at the root of tree and at Palm Canyon.

Old Town- This area has Spanish touches, little gardens, and you can shoot around the interesting building's.

Cabrillo National Monument- A national monument that does require an entrance fee, you can shoot near the lighthouse or walk down to shoot by the tidepools. Permit required.

Fiesta Island - Shoreline access to the bay and dog friendly.

Liberty Station - An area that has stylish restaurants, eateries, murals, with interesting backdrops. I personally love the park section with the lined trees.

Gaslamp Quarter - For an urban feel, you can shoot around the streets here with the exposed brick buildings.

Rooftops - If you’re looking for fun city vibes you can shoot on top of a rooftop, in downtown you can pay to access a parking garage and head to the highest level.

Mission Trails - Is a popular location for outdoor photos, it has sweeping views with some rolling hills and golden tall grass (depends on time of year). There are a few different access points to Mission Trails.

Coronado

Hotel Del Coronado - This area is great for the small beach dunes, while still having access to the shoreline, you can capture a few images with the hotel in the backdrop as well.

Coronado Bridge Viewpoint - A small sandy beach section with lots of palm trees and you have a head on shot of the Coronado Bridge in the background.

Coronado Ferry Landing- This is a unique spot to see the San Diego skyline across the water, it has a small sandy beach section, or you can walk further west to the grassy section of Centennial Park which offers the same view of the skyline. I recommend shooting here in the morning for the best lighting.

Heading East + Inland

Julian - A quaint little town known especially during the fall season for Apples and Pie, you can shoot in the charming town streets, in the orchards, or at the pumpkin patch.

Ramona Grasslands - A natural preserve that has a very open area with tall grass (in the spring it’s lush and green) in the fall/winter it can be the golden grass. It also has a large oak tree with a few rock formation that makes for a great backdrop.

Lake Cuyamaca - A wonderful place with lots of variety! You can shoot along the lake shoreline which features a small wooden pier, or you can walk over to the “island” and shoot along the trail, there is a meadow section, there is foresty pine section, a wooden bridge, and you can also take a short hike up for a higher view.