5 Best Beaches in San Diego for Your Engagement / Elopement / Wedding / Family Photography
Updated: Apr 13
San Diego is famous for its miles and miles of white-sand beaches and amazing weather.
We are on the beach sunset side, the water looks blue in the morning and looks golden in the afternoon. The best timing for beach session is in the early morning or late afternoon. I love "golden hour" and I love "purple hour / blue hour" before the sunrise and after the sunset.
My name is Mia, I am a professional wedding + elopement photographer based in San Diego, California, I am also specialized in family photography. Today we are going to talk about the best beach locations to go for your Engagement / Elopement / Wedding / Family Photography.
All of these locations are my favorite, this list is not ranked.
1. Windansea Beach
Key words:
Mia & LaRon's wedding beach Beautiful landscape
Big rocks & white sand beach Dramatic waves Stairs from the street parking to the beach Bohemia style straw-built shed can be used as a wedding bridge
Warning:
The waves can be too strong (over 10 feet tall) due to windy weather.
2. Coronado Beach
Key Words:
Wide white sand beach
Golden sand
Hotel the Del (red top "castle")
Sand dunes
Lighthouses
Man-made island, peaceful waves, family friendely
Warning:
Too many people around in weekend.
It takes are while walking from the roadside to the water.
3. Scripps Pier & Beach
Key words:
Instagramable Pier
California palm trees + ocean view
White sand beach on the left side and big rocks /knolls on the right side
Climbable trees on the hill with oceanview
Warning:
No public parking lot & bathroom nearby.
Too many people during sunset, have to take turns under the pier.
4. Sunset Cliffs
Key words:
Rocks, waves, cliffs, sunset, caves
Warning;
No beach access, have to walk to long stairs and might reach to the water (rocky based).
5. Torrey Pines / Blacks Beach
Key words:
Free parking
Gliderport
Trails
Nature
Mountain meets sea
Perfect for proposal
Warning:
It takes over 30mins to hike from Torrey Pines to Blacks Beach (one way).
Blacks Beach is known as a nude beach.