As an adventurous San Diego family photographer, I feel blessed to live in a diverse community with an endless list of locations to explore. Although I have only started living in San Diego since September 2023, I must say, you will never run out of locations and this year has been a surprise will all the beautiful blooms after the amount of rain we have been receiving. You will never be bored exploring San Diego and I encourage you to get out and soak in those beautiful views.
As a photographer who relocated to San Diego in 2023, I am constantly on the lookout for convenient locations for my family photos. I’ve compiled a list of my absolute favorite locations for taking memorable family pictures that capture the historical essence of San Diego’s natural charm and beauty.
Whether you’re a local looking to update your family photos or a visitor here for a quick weekend trip, I highly recommend checking out these five remarkable locations.
Balboa Park
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA
Of course, no list would be complete without mentioning San Diego’s 1,200-acre backyard, Balboa Park (the most popular spot in San Diego). It’s an urban oasis that serves as a photographer’s favorite “playground” for many reasons. From striking modern architecture, attractions in open spaces, or a relaxing setting in the Japanese gardens and serene ponds. Balboa Park really has it all. If it’s your first time in San Diego, then Balboa Park will not disappoint.
Parking on the weekend can be challenging, so I recommend coming on a weekday if possible or coming early on weekends to beat the crowd.
This is the right place if you’re looking for a diverse location. These are a few of my favorite attractions in the park:
- Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum at Balboa Park
- Spreckels Organ Pavilion (This is a perfect location for wedding photos as well, I always see photographers here)
- Alcazar Garden (I can’t believe I didn’t find out about this great spot until my 4th visit to Balboa Park)
- Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden
- Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Gardens (peak blooms will be in April-May)
- Spanish Village Art Center
- California Tower
- Cabrillo Bridge (this one might have lots of foot traffic on weekends, not ideal for a photoshoot)
Here’s a map of Balboa Park to play your visit – Balboa Park Map
Coronado Beach
1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118
Coronado Beach, located alongside the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, is one of the best beaches thanks to its diverse landscape and lively vibes. It offers something for everyone – from intimate portrait settings among the rocks to sweeping views of sand and sea with the hotel’s timeless architecture as a backdrop. I love that it tends to be less crowded during the weekdays, allowing intimate family moments to unfold organically. When the weather is in your favor, the
During the most festive time of year (Christmas), there is a complimentary 10-minute Holiday Lightshow right at Hotel del Coronado for the public from 5-9 pm nightly. Don’t expect a light show like you’d see at Disneyland, but this is a smaller and more intimate setting. To top it off, they also end each light show with snow flurries and the kids love it! While you might find the light show a bit short, but there’s much more going on elsewhere. You can take a walk to the beach, get some ice cream, or simply take photos with the beautiful Christmas lights decorated around the hotel.
Presidio Park
2811 Jackson Street, San Diego, CA 92110
Another historical location in San Diego is Presidio Park, which gives you a glimpse into the lives of California’s early European settlers. The hilltop Junipero Serra Museum boasts stunning architecture, while the park’s brick steps, wooden doors, and lush trails create a western and rustic feel. This park features a 40-acre open fields that’s great for family photos in San Diego and also great for little kids to stroll around. The architecture makes it a stunning spot for a family photo shoot and many Instagram influencers.
Admission is complimentary and the museum opens every day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Access to the public park is from dawn to 11:00 pm. This location overlooks Old Town San Diego and parking is also complimentary.
Mission Trail Regional Park (Old Mission Dam)
10164 Father Junipero Serra Trail, Santee, CA 92071
A well-maintained and short trail that’s family-friendly and offers plenty of shade.
After parking your car, you will take a short walk and immediately notice the old mission dam and hear the water flowing. At first I thought I could walk on the dam to cross the water, but this dam is not in one piece and does not connect you to the other side. The dam was built in 1803 and much of its structure that we see today is only a fragment of what it used to be.
I highly recommend staying on the trail because we’re in wildlife and disturbing a habitat is not a good idea. I spotted a fox from afar so it would be a good idea to stay alert and stay on trail.
The weather has been great in San Diego, except in early 2024. We have been blessed with an enormous amount of rainwater that was enough to flood this area and a few other neighborhoods. I don’t recommend coming here during a rain storm (common sense).
Lucy Evans Lauren Memorial Garden
854 Golden Park Avenue, San Diego, CA 92106
Lastly, if you’re a photographer who loves flowers and gardens, this is an intimate garden in Point Loma with a beautiful story connected to its existence. This garden was created by a loving husband dedicated to his late wife.
It is located in a residential neighborhood so please be respectful and courteous when you visit. There are surveillance cameras at the memorial garden for security purposes, but as long as you respect the property, then there shouldn’t be any problem.
The memorial garden gives you a beautiful unobstructed view of Shelter Island and Coronado Island. If you decide to go to the Lucy Evans Lauren Memorial Garden, then it would be a great idea to add Cabrillo National Monument to the list because it’s within a 10-15 minute drive (perfect for those glowing sunset views).
San Diego Family Photography | Southern California Photographer
Sarah Nguyen Photography
As a San Diego Family photographer, Sarah loves documenting the interactions between family members and their emotions while doing the most simple things. She specializes in a well-planned portrait experience that is tailored to each family’s vision. Her portrait experience provides moms with a client wardrobe that has been carefully curated and connects moms to a local hair and make-up artist to ensure that moms are stress-free. Sarah enjoys helping her clients fill the empty walls in their homes with wall art from their family portrait sessions. Each artwork gets printed and framed by professionals who have spent their entire lives dedicated to their craft. Reach out to Sarah to learn more about how she can help you bring your family portrait sessions to life.
Many expecting moms and parents also join the Baby Plan Membership, a collective of 3-4 sessions within 16 months. Most expecting parents want the whole baby collective option to document their entire motherhood or parenthood journey, which may include maternity, newborn, 6-month baby, and 12-month baby photoshoots. This is a great choice for parents who want more than one session, especially because they know time flies fast.
Sarah is a lover of natural light and utilizes it to create beautiful images. Let her help you find your natural light by reaching out to learn more about her family photography sessions.
