Magical hidden gem locations in San Diego for engagement photos!
San Diego is a photographers dream. It’s totally known for it’s amazing range of ecosystems and nature, beach and mountains in the same day!
While a beautiful location is always nice, light and time of day are far more important than location. As long as we have the right light, we could take photos at the dump and I promise you would love them. Light and your connection as a couple are the real magic to engagement photos, so don’t stress about location!
That being said, here are some of my favorite hidden gem spots for engagement photos around San Diego!
EXPLORING THE NEIGHBORHOOD/CITY VIBES
Silver lake (but could be anywhere)
Taking photos in your neighborhood, where you guys like to hang out or where you spend time most time together are always going to be the best spot for an engagement shoot. We can keep it totally casual! Grab a drink at your favorite spot and then check out the area! If we shoot at golden when, even the grossest of places will look totally magical!
Maple Canyon is one of my favorite little hidden gems of San Diego. It’s hidden right in a little neighborhood of downtown and is easy to walk to. You can explore both the bridge, and underneath it for lots of awesome photo ops!
RANCHY VIBES
Old Town is classic San Diego with amazing barns and historical buildings! I love this magical little spot for both tacos and taking cute as heck engagement photos :)
While I haven’t done any recent engagement shoots here, I come here to hike all the time. The grounds are huge, gorgeous and host to a few goats and a community garden! There’s also a huge barn that I think sometimes horses live in? Idk. It’s just a charming, hidden gem, covered in cacti and Adobe Style Buildings!
MAGICAL MOUNTAIN VIBES
Mount Laguna is totally magical. About 45 mins outside of downtown San Diego, this spot offers incredible views and is SUPER simple to get to. Epic views, no hiking necessary!
Yes ok, more of a canyon, but UNDENIABLE beautiful of a spot. I will never tire of both hiking and photographing at Mission Trails!
Ok I KNOW it’s a canyon, but once you are in it, you totally feel like you’re surrounded by mountains! While I have never done a shoot, here Pete and I come here at least twice a week to hike because it’s just so dang pretty! It is about a 20 minute walk in that would require proper footwear, but once we are in it’s very forgiving terrain and just dreamy.
EPIC HISTORIC ARCITECTURE & RUINS
This historic landmark is magical in every possible way. The sheer size of it is impressive! This spot DOES require planning ahead, as you MUST purchase a permit to shoot here. 100% worth it!!
BEACHY/CLIFF VIBES
San Diego is KNOWN for it’s beaches, so you just can’t go wrong with one of them! Sunset Cliffs is my fave but there are endless options!
GARDEN AND ARCHITECTURE VIBES
Balboa Park again, but different vibes
Balboa Park is a very popular spot in San Diego for engagement photos, BUT ITS FOR GOOD REASON!! I’ve taken photos here so many times, but there are just so many dang great magical nooks! It feels brand new every time I shoot there. Because of the great mix of architecture and gardens you can get such a great variety of vibes here!
Need more Southern California engagement photo inspiration? Check out more full shoots HERE!
