Beautiful Places in San Diego to Take Family Pictures
Photos taken at the Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden in Balboa Park.
Taking family photos is a great way of documenting memorable events that happen in our lives and capturing important milestones. These moments frozen in time help us see our loved ones grow up and change over the years. Photographs become a precious legacy that can be passed on from generation to generation.
One of the most breathtaking places to take family pictures in Southern California is undoubtedly San Diego. With stunning natural beauty ranging from world-famous beaches, pristine parks and even modern urban neighborhoods, this city has some of the best backdrops in the country.
Choosing to take family pictures in the beloved San Diego city is an easy decision because there's a locale for every kind of vibe you could be going for. Below you'll find 15 of the most Instagrammable places in San Diego where you can have a photo shoot with your loved ones, regardless of the occasion.
Photos taken at the Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden in Balboa Park.
Photos taken at the Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden in Balboa Park.
San Diego’s Beautiful Weather
San Diego is famous for having year-round pleasant weather, and most days are warm and sunny. The Mediterranean climate of San Diego features hot, sunny, and dry summers, making it the ideal place to enjoy quality time with your family. The fall and spring are also great times of year for San Diego adventures, and the winters are generally mild.
Spanish Colonial architecture inside Balboa Park.
Spanish Colonial architecture inside Balboa Park.
Top 15 Photoshoot Locations in San Diego
Balboa Park
Home to numerous museums and gardens, Balboa Park is both a cultural oasis and botanical haven in the middle of the city.
For my sister-in-law's wedding, we shot family photos in the Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden in Balboa Park. I really loved the bohemian vibe from the desert landscape with giant cacti plants. There’s also the lesser known Old Cactus Garden (circa 1935) which we photographed in this guide.
Outside of the cactus gardens, noteworthy gardens include the Alcazar Garden, the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden and the Zoo Garden.
In addition to the gardens, the many buildings with Spanish Colonial architecture inside Balboa Park can be unique backdrops for your photos. You can also shoot in front of the Botanical Building and Lily Pond, a very popular choice. And finally, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is a very romantic venue for lovebirds and sweet family portraits.
Botanical Building and Lily Pond inside Balboa Park.
Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma
Sunset Cliffs features breathtaking ocean views, dramatic cliffs and caves, and native coastal sage scrub habitat. It is by far one of the most beautiful locations in San Diego to have a family photoshoot, as the rugged coastline and panoramic view will prove to be a stunning background for your pictures.
Furthermore, as the name suggests, you can admire the most amazing sunsets in Point Loma and take photos with your loved ones during the coveted "Golden Hour".
Pro Tip: Golden Hour is referring to the hour before sunset where there’s an abundance of diffused light, which is the most flattering lighting for portrait photos.
Porch views at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Old San Diego.
Instagrammable tile staircase in Old San Diego.
Old San Diego
Featuring historical sites, Mexican heritage remembrances, and colorful shops, Old Town in San Diego is a great place for California history buffs to explore and photograph. The Old Town provides a glimpse into olden days colonial life in San Diego with preserved buildings and replicated sets.
If you want to capture the area's historical essence, seek out photo opportunities in the old ranch homes, schoolhouse, and recreated scene vignettes scattered around the grounds.
Historical buildings you can chose as your photo backdrop in Old San Diego include The Whaley House Museum, The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casa de Estudillo. There is also the Heritage Park which showcases the city's Victorian era with restored houses from the 1800s.
Lastly, there’s an Instagram famous tiled staircase that many families and couples love to photograph, which is also located in Old San Diego (see photo above). You’ll find it right in the middle of all the artisan shops selling traditional Mexican dresses and Dia de los Muertos home decor.
Aesthetic tall cactus in Old San Diego.
Carlsbad Flower Fields
If you're looking for a bright and colorful background for your family pictures, put the Carlsbad Flower Fields on the top of your San Diego bucket list. The Carlsbad Flower Fields has one of the most spectacular displays of natural color and beauty in the whole world. I know it's a big claim but it's true!
For over six decades, this particular flower farm has planted and bloomed over fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers. These flowers only bloom in the springtime and the farm has limited months when they're open. Be sure to check their website before making plans to visit.
Carlsbad Flower Fields.
Carlsbad Flower Fields.
Urban Photos in Little Italy
Little Italy is a district in Downtown San Diego that was originally a preponderantly Italian and Portuguese fishing neighborhood. Today, it's a popular metro neighborhood full of trendy restaurants and boutiques.
Little Italy is definitely worth visiting, and while you're there, you can have a memorable family photoshoot at Piazza della Famiglia, the central gathering point in the area. It's a 10,000-square-foot plaza connecting India and Columbia streets and featuring a dramatic tiled fountain – the perfect background for your pictures.
Carlsbad Flower Fields.
Old Poway Park
Enjoy a peaceful picnic in the beautiful Old Poway Park, wander the meandering pathways, and have a lovely rustic-themed family photo shoot on the Poway Midland Railroad.
After you get the perfect shots, you can explore this fantastic place and learn about its rich history, dating back in 1907.
While you're in the area, you may also want to visit the nearby Metate Meadows, which abounds in natural beauty and scenic views. Both places are dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry family member for your photo shoot, too!
Views from the Mount Woodson trail up to Potato Chip Rock.
Views from the Mount Woodson trail up to Potato Chip Rock.
Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas
Operated by the city of Encinitas, Moonlight State Beach is a San Diego state park. It features a grass park with a kids' play area where you can take candid photos of your little ones while they're having fun.
This beach is one of the very few in California to have fire pits, so you and your loved ones can enjoy a classic Southern Californian beach bonfire after taking family pictures.
Between surfside jaunts and boogieboard sessions, you can also enjoy a picnic and spend quality time with your family, as Moonlight State Beach includes ample picnic tables and multiple grills.
Photos taken at Potato Chip Rock.
Photos taken at Potato Chip Rock.
Take Photos at Potato Chip Rock
Located on the Mount Woodson summit, Potato Chip Rock is a natural tourist attraction in San Diego that can easily make for a series of either funny or epic photos.
This particular rock formation is in the shape of a giant potato chip (hence the name). You can walk to the tip of the rock and there's an optical illusion that you're dangling high above the mountain. But don't worry, it's actually pretty safe, it just looks dramatic in photos.
In regards to the funny photos, visitors have gotten creative over the years and taken some memorable photos where it looks like they hanging on for their life. You can also take photos filled with natural landscapes while you are hiking on the trail up the mountain.
I should warn you that this is a popular tourist spot, especially on the weekends. The line for photos on the rock can get long during the daytime. My advice is to go during the week, or early in the morning at sunrise.
Pro Photographer Tip: There’s very little shade on the Mount Woodson trail, which means you can end up with very shadowy photos if you shoot at the peak sun times. My advice is to hike up either early at sunrise, or an hour before sunset to get the best lighting. Just make sure to leave yourself enough time to hike and take the photos.
Photos taken at Potato Chip Rock.
Photos taken at Potato Chip Rock.
Scripps Pier Beach in La Jolla
Scripps Pier Beach in La Jolla might be the perfect location for those of you who are seeking a beachy background for your family pictures. The place is very popular for family portraits because of the amazing scenery, the picturesque pier and colorful sunset views.
If you choose this beach as your photo shoot location, make sure to shoot the pier from multiple angles, including standing under the pier in the surf. Scroll to see multiple photo examples we took ourselves at this beach.
During the winter months between November - March, dogs are allowed on a leash at Scripps Beach. You can bring along your pet to have a complete family portrait, furry babies included.
Sunset photos taken at Scripp’s Pier Beach in La Jolla.
Sunset photos taken at Scripp’s Pier Beach in La Jolla.
Sunset photos taken at Scripp’s Pier Beach in La Jolla.
Torrey Pines State Reserve in La Jolla
Another great family photoshoot location in La Jolla is Torrey Pines State Reserve. This is a reserve dedicated to preserving the Torrey Pine tree and indigenous wildlife in its native environment. It is a coastal wilderness of pine forests and sandstone canyons with scenic trails winding along the cliffs, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
So, if you're planning a nature-themed family photoshoot, Torrey Pines State Reserve is the ideal location for you. The best trails include the Razor Point Trail, the Guy Fleming Trail, and the Beach Trail.
Sandy shores at Mission Beach.
Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach.
Mission Beach and Pacific Beach
Mission Beach's most prominent feature is the Oceanfront walking trail which runs along the coastline. The beach in this iconic spot has bright white sand and calm waves, making it your quintessential Southern California backdrop.
When you’re walking in the northern direction along the Oceanfront trail, you’ll eventually find yourself in the next beach over known as Pacific Beach.
Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach is a long pier open to the public. You can walk all the way to the end and see sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Another great spot for sunset photos!
Oceanfront Walk Way between Mission Beach and Pacific Beach.
White sand at the Coronado Beach with Hotel del Coronado in the backdrop.
Coronado Beach
Coronado Beach is set against the gorgeous backdrop of the iconic Hotel del Coronado, featured in Marilyn Monroe's film "Some Like It Hot". Not only is this place ideal for a romantic getaway but also for a fun, relaxing family beach photoshoot. The long sandy beaches sparkle due to the mica in their golden sand and feature tall palm trees.
Another great photo background you can explore in Coronado is Glorietta Bay, which offers a unique view of the Glorietta Bay Hotel and the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.
White sand at the Coronado Beach with Hotel del Coronado in the backdrop.
White sand at the Coronado Beach with Hotel del Coronado in the backdrop.
San Diego Skyline Photos in Centennial Park in Coronado
As a hotspot for wedding party photos, lively events, and – why not? – family pictures, Centennial Park offers a breathtaking panorama view of the bay and downtown San Diego. This lookout spot is located directly across the bay from the metro Gaslamp Quarter, so you can perfectly see the outlines of the skyscraper buildings.
Because Centennial Park is only a few steps away from the Coronado Ferry Landing, you can also take candid photos at lunch with your loved ones while you're there, as it boasts great local eateries.
Waves at Coronado Beach.
White sand at Coronado Beach.
White sand at the Coronado Beach with Hotel del Coronado in the backdrop.
Pigment Pink Wall in North Park
The pink wall outside of Pigment, a small boutique in North Park, is an Insta-famous spot. The exterior wall is painted in ombre pastel hues of pink and says, "Love more than ever". It's the ideal backdrop for those looking for a bright and colorful place to shoot playful photos.
Down the street you’ll also find two more very colorful murals at the Mexican Artelexia boutique. See more murals in our San Diego Mural Guide.
Pigment’s Pink Wall in North Park.
Pigment’s Pink Wall in North Park.
If you travel to San Diego, you should make the best out of this experience and enjoy what this amazing city has to offer to the fullest. There are many stylish, luxurious vacation rentals you will fall in love with, some within walking distance of the beach, offering stunning ocean views.
Book Your Stay in San Diego:
Mission Bay is also a stunning place for San Diego family photos, and you could easily walk to the beach when staying at the Paradise Point Resort.
If you’re drawn to the modern and sleek look of metro Downtown San Diego, then book this hotel stay with stunning rooftop views.
Point Loma is another exceptional San Diego locale with an abundance of natural beauty. The Humphreys Half Moon Inn is a top rated hotel in Point Loma.
