Top 3 Cinematic Locations for Your San Diego Engagement Photos

Jul 19

San Diego is surrounded by stunning beaches and parks. There are so many places to take San Diego engagement photos. In this blog post, I’m sharing my three favorite locations for cinematic photos and editorial posing. These locations are perfect for engagement photos with drama and style.

An engaged couple walks through the Imperial Sand Dunes for San Diego engagement photos.

3 Cinematic Locations for Your San Diego Engagement Photos

1. La Jolla

La Jolla is just 25 minutes north of San Diego. The colors here are so vibrant. The turquoise ocean has carved out smooth shelves of rocks. It’s a great spot for splashing in the shallows in casual outfits or striking fashion-inspired poses in formal wear with waves crashing behind you.

A woman twirls in a white dress for engagement photos on a San Diego beach.

A man and woman pose on a rock ledge above a La Jolla beach.

A couple kisses on a beach in San Diego engagement photos.

A woman leans against her fiance on a San Diego beach in editorial posing for engagement photos.

A man and woman lean back to back beside a cliff in La Jolla engagement photos.

2. Sunset Cliffs

If you want to take your San Diego engagement photos in the city itself, Sunset Cliffs is the perfect place for photos with an ocean backdrop. There’s a beautiful park full of tide pools and craggy cliffs. When the tide is low, you can walk further out onto wide stretches of boulders. There are some slippery patches here, so I recommend going barefoot wherever you’re comfortable. You’ll get that romantic, windswept look without losing a good shoe. It’s a dreamy spot for golden hour photos.

A man kisses a woman's forehead at Sunset Cliffs, San Diego, with a paraglider in the background.

A woman in a red dress for an engagement photo puts her hand on a man's face on a cliffside.

A man and woman walk into the distance holding hands on a sandy path above a beach at Sunset Cliffs.

A man and woman reach for each other's hands, showing the woman's diamond engagement ring.

A man and woman stand with their backs to the ocean.

A man and woman walk away from the beach with the sun setting behind them in San Diego engagement photos.

3. Imperial Sand Dunes

For a dramatic landscape that isn’t the beach, head to the Imperial Sand Dunes. This recreation area is a farther drive than La Jolla or Sunset Cliffs, but the images you get are so unique. It really looks like you’re in the middle of nowhere. The photos are intimate and cinematic at the same time with the dunes rolling all around. Classic neutrals look great on the dunes, but jewel tones stand out too.

A man and woman in white engagement photo outfits kneel in the sand on a dune.

A man and woman hold hands walking through the Imperial Dunes for San Diego engagement photos.

A man and woman cuddle on a sand dune looking into the distance.

A woman leans against a man's chest with their hands clasped on her shoulder for San Diego engagement photos.

Would you like me to take your San Diego engagement photos? I’m a destination wedding photographer, and I specialize in photos inspired by film and fashion. Inquire with me here!