21 of the Best Engagement Photo Locations in San Diego
The engagement period is a very exciting time in your life. You are about to embark on a new chapter of your journey together and that is a cause for celebration. Documenting it with a photo shoot can make for terrific memories that can be shared with friends and relatives for years to come.
If you have decided to do an engagement photo shoot with your significant other, everything’s got to be perfect. The clothing has to be just right, the poses need to look comfortable and romantic and, of course, the location has to provide the ideal background.
If you live in the San Diego area and you are looking for the best location for your engagement shoot, here are some suggestions.
Mount Laguna
Couples will only have to drive one hour outside of San Diego to find this location that provides serene desert-scapes as well as lush greenery. It can even have snow during the wintertime. Mount Laguna tends to be devoid of crowds year-round making it the perfect place to shoot. The climate can be chilly and windy, so be sure to take along a jacket.
Balboa Park
Considered one of the best places to have a San Diego photo shoot, Balboa Park has everything from incredible architecture to flower filled gardens. It is decked out for the holidays in the winter and it is close to other scenic locations so you can travel from place to place to get several diverse shots. Note, most areas of Balboa Park will let you shoot for free, but some may charge a fee. Be sure to familiarize yourself with their policies in advance.
Belmont Park
Fun-loving couples will find the boardwalk amusement park scenery at Belmont Park to be a charming backdrop for their engagement shoot. Photos can be taken on rides, holding ice cream cones and more. The area does tend to get crowded so it’s best to opt for a weekday shoot so you can get shots you can use.
Torrey Pines
If you and your significant other find beaches romantic, Torrey Pines may be your ideal photo shoot destination. Take off your shoes and walk along the coast in front of wide-open views of the Pacific Ocean or have fun splashing in the water together. Springtime is a great time to catch shots with surrounding flowers alive and blooming and the sunsets can provide amazing backdrops. Note, the beach can get crowded so it’s best to avoid peak hours.
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo will be a fun backdrop for animal loving couples. You can pose in front of animal cages or find the many hidden nooks that make for romantic settings. Only a hop, skip and jump from Balboa Park, this can be another stop on your engagement shoot route.
Cabrillo National Monument
Located at the tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, the Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay in 1542. Historical buffs will enjoy taking a few shots by the monument, but lovers will appreciate the gorgeous views of the bay and the lighthouse. Mornings and weekdays tend to be less crowded so try to schedule your shoot for those times.
Ho Chi Minh Trail
You may have to exert yourself a bit when climbing the rocky terrain on Ho Chi Minh Trail, but the shots you get will be worth the effort. When it comes to scenery, you’ll get a bit of everything including beaches, cliffs, greenery, city-scapes and canyons. The trail tends to be pretty deserted so if you come on a weekday, you may just have the place to yourself.
Little Italy
This charming neighborhood has plenty of nooks and crannies that make terrific backdrops. Wall murals, graffiti and unique textures can be played with to make your shots special. Take a break and enjoy a glass of wine or some gelato with your significant other to bring even more variety to your shoot.
Coronado Island
Coronado is known as an island paradise. It is full of sparkling beaches, charming hotels and breathtaking views of the San Diego skyline. Centennial Park is a preferred photo destination as it is the only place in San Diego where you can have your picture taken in front of the San Diego Bay.
Anza Borrego
Due to the many things to do and see at Anza Borrego, many consider it the ultimate playground for adults. It has a desert-like setting that is complemented by mountains, cliffs, canyons and even some spacey landscapes. The best time to come is during spring super-bloom. During the spring season, the area breaks out with flowers providing the perfect romantic setting for your engagement shoot.
Santa Fe Depot
This small union station may seem like an unlikely place for an engagement shoot, but you may be surprised by the treasures you will find. It has a great vintage vibe and the stunning architecture and geometric shapes make a terrific frame for photographs. Located in the heart of the downtown area, you can walk around to find countless settings that suit your fancy.
Marian Bear Park
If you’re going for a woodsy, rustic feel, Marian Bear Park will be a dream location. It has plenty of natural landscapes, vibrant wildflowers and there is even a small stream running through it. However, one should consider the season that is best for an engagement shoot in the park as wildflowers are seasonal and certain trails may close due to rain.
Moonlight Beach
Despite its name, Moonlight Beach has plenty of sunlight that will make for well-lit photos year-round. The area has a lot to offer including a cliff, a creek and expanses of sandy shores. The backgrounds provide a terrific tropical vibe that might make friends and family think you are already on your honeymoon!
Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
This historical landmark was built in 1912 and it has a vintage charm that comes with craftsmanship that is over 100 years old. The surrounding trees and blue skies make for a breathtaking photo backdrop. Couples with a fear of heights may be hesitant to have a shoot on the bridge, but there is also a scenic valley below it that makes for a great alternative.
Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego has a unique charm that is ideal for romantic photo shoots. Its Spanish style architecture and brilliant gardens make for colorful and unique backgrounds. Roam around the area to find the many interesting photo-ops you can choose from.
UCSD
A college campus may not seem like the most romantic location for a photo shoot, but the campus of University of California San Diego has a lot to offer. There are various architectural styles and nature spots that provide a variety of options. The campus will be even more meaningful if the two of you were college sweethearts at UCSD.
Scripp’s Pier and Beach
When it comes to beach spots, Scripp’s provides a variety that makes it a photographer’s favorite. Scenery includes clifftops, sandy beaches and rock formations that are only visible when the tide is low. The nearby Pier has countless architectural gems, so you don’t have to travel far to give your photos a whole different vibe.
Scripp’s Forum
And if you travel a bit further, you will run into Scripp’s forum. This seaside institution of oceanography doubles as a modern architectural piece of beauty that will take your photographs to the next level. Note, it’s also a popular wedding destination so you might want to inquire about rates while you are there!
Seaport Village
Another quaint and charming San Diego neighborhood, there is no shortage of things to do in Seaport Village…and all the activity can make for some unique shots of you and your beloved taking it all in. Visit the aquarium, ride the carousel or just wander up and down the sidewalks to find nooks and crannies that make the best romantic backgrounds. As an added bonus, there are plenty of parking lots and meters that make this area easy to access.
Gaslamp Village
If you prefer a more urban setting, try visiting San Diego’s Gaslamp Village. This swanky neighborhood is located in the heart of downtown and provides plenty of urban scenery that can give your photos a modern edge. The Gaslamp sign that marks the entry way to the district as well as the Convention Center across the street make for iconic photo features.
San Diego Bay Boating
When thinking of romantic photo shoots, few can top one taken on a boat in San Diego Bay. If you and your loved one have a boat you can use, or if you are open to renting one, the pictures you take and adventures you have will be among the most memorable in your collection.
An engagement photo shoot is a great way to celebrate your love. Choosing the right location can make all the difference when it comes to getting the photos you will treasure the rest of life. Which ones do you think are the most romantic?