As a professional photographer, my travel plans always include finding the best places to shoot pictures. And San Diego has a bounty of great spots. Beautiful beaches, lush gardens, interesting architecture, public art and Southern California’s outdoor lifestyle all provide the perfect background for travel pictures. Here's a list of my favorite places to shoot in San Diego.
Learn how to avoid the typical "vanilla" tourist snapshots and instead capture stunning images—taken from the best vantage points, at the best time of day. Whether you're an avid shutterbug or just a weekend warrior, a photography tour is a great way to see the sights and snap images to last a lifetime.
Populated with photogenic spots everywhere you turn—from historical adobe architecture, to people dressed in period dress (1822-1872), to reenacted crafts of the era (like blacksmithing, candle making, etc.), Old Town is a feast of wonderful photo ops. Whether tortillerias, festive decorations, beautiful landscaping, colorful dancers, or photographically fun specialty gift shops, Old Town is a nonstop delight for your eyes and your camera!
You could keep busy for hours just photographing its nearly twenty varied, scenic gardens (including thousands of species of exotic vegetation). But add to that exquisite Colonial Mediterranean architecture and beautiful tile fountains and you could easily spend a full day here, and never enter one museum or the zoo! Lose yourself in this tranquil cultural oasis in the heart of the city and make sure to bring plenty of memory cards or film.
Dramatic vistas, tide pools and its two iconic lighthouses are only part of the picture which makes this captivating and stunning location the 8th most visited National Monument in the U.S., as well as a top San Diego photographic hotspot.
San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter features beautiful Victorian architecture to capture during the day, or stick around after dark to shoot the epicenter of San Diego nightlife. Day or night, you surely will want to bring your camera to this very photogenic neighborhood.
From seascapes to sea lions to seagulls, grab your camera and head to sensational seaside La Jolla. Translated "The Jewel", La Jolla delivers on its name with spectacular cliffs, cormorants and crashing waves. You certainly won't run out of scenic things to photograph in postcard picture-perfect La Jolla.
Along with its iconic bell tower, this historically important building complex has some hidden treasures inside—don't miss its enchanting courtyard and beautiful chapels. You could easily spend three hours here taking photos of the oldest of the 21 California Missions.
It goes without saying that San Diego has some of the best show-stopping animal photography in America! Whether swimming, jumping, swinging or flying, there are endless animal photo possibilities in all three of these world-class attractions. Don't forget to check out the Photo Safari Caravan at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park—a top-notch photo experience for up-close encounters with animals in the wild.
It's never a dull moment down on the embarcadero promenade walkway—whether bobbing boats, birds or bustling boardwalk activity. On the southern area near Seaport Village or behind the Convention Center, snap away at colorful boats with the harbor or Coronado as your backdrop. And, near the majestic Star of India, sunset produces pretty reflections on the water with the lights of the Pt. Loma Peninsula in the distance.
You'll be challenged to find anything more colorful than Chicano Park's historic murals. Not only are they the largest collection of outdoor murals in the country that are painted by cutting edge artists, but their unique location on the pillars of the Coronado Bridge make them a geometric delight for photos.
Hunt around San Diego's varied neighborhoods and discover the charm of each one through its signature landmark sign. With no two signs the same, you will have a fun time framing each one to highlight the individual feel of that neighborhood.
A photography tour is a fun way to see the city. San Diego Photography Tours has professional photographer guides who have spent years in the field on assignment capturing sites all over the world—and countless hours scouting the best photogenic locations in San Diego, both well known icons and secret spots. They offer private walking or shuttled driving tours ranging from four hours to a full day. During their very hands-on tours, they help you to take better quality pictures and make sure you go home with great photos of San Diego.
More on capturing San Diego for your feed from Picture Paradise, Instagrammable San Diego.
Here are another seven great places around the San Diego region to capture stunning images, courtesy of professional photographer Tanner McQueen:
Scripps Pier is easily one of my all-time favorite spots, and I’ve photographed it hundreds of times. I highly recommend taking advantage of the entire surrounding area to capture the pier and beach. This is an awesome spot at any time of the day, but it is the best right around sunset! You are also right up the hill from the La Jolla Cove and across from the Birch Aquarium, so you can easily spend a day in La Jolla.
Pro tip: I would recommend exploring the surrounding paths and hills to find some unique angles to shoot from. Bring a couple of different lenses and get away from the main crowd that’s down by the beach so you can find some unique spots and compositions. Drop your shutter speed (below 1/60) to get some neat long exposure shots and smooth out the water!
Windansea Beach is a popular location for engagement and graduation photos because of the rocks and the unique, locally built grass hut right by the water. A few yards beyond the hut is another one of my favorite spots to shoot. Using the elements at hand can help you frame your photo to offer a unique perspective.
Pro tip: It does get pretty busy here at all times of the day, so if you are coming here for sunset photos, leave a little early to find a spot to park and set up your camera. This is also a super fun place to fly a drone. There are many beautiful aerial shots you can get of the shoreline and the rocks looking down on the water. Pack all your gear if you visit this spot as it’s perfect for all styles of photography!
Head over to Coronado Island for the best place to photograph the entire downtown San Diego skyline. Look over the water towards the city as the sun sets, and all of the high-rises and buildings glow, creating the perfect backdrop to any landscape shot or portrait you might be taking. It’s also just a great spot to hangout and enjoy the views of the city at any time of the day or night.
Pro tip: Be sure to pack your wide-angle lens – anything between 14mm and 16mm is perfect for this spot. Don’t forget your tripod if you also want to get some neat time-lapse or long exposure shots of the city at night. There are a decent amount of spots to shoot from over here, so walk around to find some creative angles and neat foreground elements if you are photographing the city.
You can’t go wrong with any area in Torrey Pines, so I recommend this location, especially for new photographers. Spend time exploring the beaches and trails to easily expand your photography portfolio. You can also hike one of San Diego’s most popular trails (Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve) while you take photos and enjoy the beach views. Overall, just a great spot to visit at any time of the day!
Pro tip: If you plan on hiking the trail and taking photos, bring a minimal camera setup, as there are a decent amount of hills and the extra weight of a camera bag can be tiring. You could carry a small 50mm lens or even just your phone and still get some great shots while enjoying the hike! It’s busy here pretty much all day, but it’s worth the visit. Early mornings are hard to beat, as you can watch the sunrise from the top while enjoying the ocean views and taking some simply amazing photos!
Swami’s Beach in Encinitas is a gem of North County San Diego, and a great beach area to photograph. There are various lookouts and benches to view the ocean; you can also walk along the 101 to explore, or you can head to the nearby Meditation Gardens to relax. There are tons of great shops and restaurants around here, but the ocean views along the coast are definitely the star of the show.
Pro tip: Early morning or right before sunset are the best times to be here. On a super-clear day, the colors of the sky reflecting off the water mixed with all of the surrounding palm trees make for some awesome shots. There is even a staircase that will take you down to the shore. This is also a great place to take some long-exposure shots and time lapses. Bring all of your gear with you, as there are so many awesome spots in the general area to photograph!
A favorite view and vantage point of mine to see Downtown San Diego is actually on Talbot Street in Point Loma. This steep hill gives you some awesome angles of Downtown, and you can use the trees in the neighborhood as well as the steep street to frame your shot. This is also my favorite spot to watch Fourth of July fireworks out on the bay.
Pro tip: A telephoto lens (100mm+) works really well here if you want to capture awesome shots of downtown. If you are here for fireworks, a tripod is a must. Try a 1- to 3-second shutter speed starting as soon as you see the fireworks shoot off. This way you capture the entire firework from start to finish. It might take a few tries, but with the right timing, you’ll get the fireworks photo you have been eager to capture.
The planes landing at the San Diego International Airport take a strikingly low flight path. There’s a bridge right above Interstate 5 that is a great spot to capture images of the planes as they come in. Head over to the corner of Palm and India streets and you’ll find a good place to park and the entrance to the bridge across the street. Walk across the entire bridge and look at all parts of the fence. You’ll find a few different openings that a camera lens will fit through so you can shoot from multiple spots. This is another great spot for photos, videos and timelapse content. Sunrises and sunsets are awesome from here!
Pro tip: When you’re flying into the city, try to get a seat on the left side of the plane. As you land, you get a neat view of all of Downtown and the ocean. There are photo opportunities that you can only see from an airplane window! You’ll only have a split second to get some shots, so get your camera settings ready ahead of time, with at least a 1/250 shutter speed if possible.
Valid at participating hotels throughout the U.S., Canada, Caribbean and Latin America only. Offer varies by property, brand, and destination. Check rate details for full offer details. ...
High-quality interpretation services with professional and certified linguists for events in San Diego and beyond. You can trust that your event will be a success. (619) 860-6642 More...
High-quality phone and video interpretation services with professional and certified linguists. You can trust that your meeting will be a success. (619) 860-6642 More than...
Regarded as the first major regatta of the year, the San Diego Crew Classic brings together thousands of athletes from more than 100 universities, clubs and high school programs across the United...
A San Diego sport fishing tradition, The Port Of San Diego’s Day At The Docks is the West Coast’s largest public celebration of sport fishing. Signaling the official start of Southern...
The spirit, sounds and flavors of southwest Louisiana come alive at the largest and most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou. With everything from A to Zydeco,...
Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.
