San Diego is filled with beautiful places to photograph, but if you’ve got an itch to get a little rugged and opt out of a beach photo shoot, then these locations may be right up your alley.
All of these spots are less than three hours from most places in San Diego and are a great reminder that a short drive in Southern California can land you in the mountains, desert, sand dunes or endless other beautiful nature settings.
If you want a fun photoshoot in any of these locations, I’m your girl!
Glamis Sand Dunes
This location is always a crowd favorite, and will forever be one of mine. With nothing but space and light, how can you not fall in love with this place? It truly feels like you may be on a different planet and its almost impossible to take a bad photo here.
2. Lake Cuyamaca, Julian
This location is awesome because it gets great light, and you’ve got a mix of nature and the lake and is only one hour outside San Diego. You can shoot over the land bridge on the back end of the lake or stay near the road and shoot at the front of the lake. Another great thing about this spot is that its always changing with the weather and season so colors and water levels may be totally different from one day to another helping to ensure your engagement photo session is unique to you.
3. Barnett Ranch County Preserve, Ramona
I shoot here all the time because the variety and seclusion in unmatched. You rarely run into anyone and there are tons of trails and wide open spaces to meander through.. Wide open spaces also give way to the best element of photos: light. Barnett will always be one of my favorite staples for engagement photo shoot locations.
4. Milagro Winery, Ramona
Milagro is not only a wedding venue and winery but it’s an awesome places to hold engagement photo shoots. They have tons of variety in terrain and beautiful light throughout. They also have some adorable animals that make appearances like peacocks, rabbits and the occasional pup!
5. Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree is a great location for any photo shoot because there is no shortage of open space, beautiful desert terrain and lots of secluded roads you can run around. Its a bit further but its always a very cool look with the gorgeous trees that its named for.
6. Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, San Diego
This location is awesome because it’s right in the heart of San Diego and has lots of streets around that you can utilize as well. The bridge is a little hidden gem of the city and its beauty never gets old. Leading lines and light are two gorgeous elements of a great photograph and this spot definitely delivers on both.
7. Anza Borrego Desert
Anza Borrego is awesome desert location because for the most part it’s super secluded and has such a unique vibe. There is a ton of space to run around, desolate roads and lots of beautiful light. Its only about an hour and half outside San Diego and feels like you’re in a different world.
