As “America’s Finest City,” San Diego offers something for everyone—an amazing year-round climate, stunning natural scenery, fascinating history, and a luxurious life full of outdoor activities, shopping, and dining. With all of its unique character and charm, it also presents endless opportunities to capture new digital content.
Whether you’re a seasoned influencer or a social media novice, these top places in San Diego offer the perfect backdrop for your next IG story, post, or reel. So grab your camera (or phone), and get ready to explore the sights of SD and make some magical memories!
Natural Wonders
View this post on Instagram
The Saigon Trail is a challenging but short route that will take you through a desert-like slot canyon on the way to a secluded (and clothing-optional) beach. The experience is truly other-wordly. Don’t forget to check out the Mushroom House, a unique mushroom-shaped building hiding at the bottom of the cliffs at nearby Black’s Beach. The home is private property, but it’s worth admiring from a distance.
View this post on Instagram
For quintessential San Diego vibes, check out the views at La Jolla Cove. This small cliff-side beach is a favorite for visitors and locals due to its crystal-clear waters, diverse marine life (sea lions galore), and dramatic algae-covered rock formations. Be forewarned: The sea-cave area can be dangerous to visit, so definitely do your research ahead of time to make sure your photos will not be spoiled by high tide.
Honorable Mention: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a protected coastal area located north of La Jolla. The rare and critically endangered Torrey Pine trees are native to this area, and the dramatic cliffs and unspoiled beaches make for fantastic photography.
Sweet Sips
View this post on Instagram
Wolfies Carousel Bar is a relatively new hot spot in the Little Italy area of San Diego. With a custom-built and hand-carved carousel bar that slowly rotates on its axis, it is easily one of the most fun and fanciful places in San Diego. Pinky up!
View this post on Instagram
Holy Matcha is an influencer’s dream, known for its hot pink tables, velour banquet cushions and tropical green wallpaper. Their menu features colorful matcha drinks and delicious light bites that will “pop” on your feed. It’s hard to take a bad photo at this modern millennial cafe!
Get Directions (Park Blvd. Location) »
Get Directions (University Ave. Location) »
Honorable Mention: Donut Bar offers delicious, photo-worthy donuts made with locally sourced ingredients. On the outside, there is a giant donut mural waiting for your sweet selfie.
Bright & Beautiful
View this post on Instagram
Artelexia is a unique Mexican-themed retail boutique in North Park offering an impressive selection of hand-made gifts and artisan decor, as well as TWO custom murals from artist Channin Fulton. The street-side “You Are Radiant” mural is available for passersby while the Frida Kahlo-themed “Love Yourself” awaits visitors on the inside. Get ready to shop and strike a pose!
View this post on Instagram
The Carlsbad Ranch is located about 20 miles north of San Diego but well worth the drive. Every year from March to May, their flower fields come alive with acres and rows of cheerful pink, red, yellow, white and orange ranunculus in bloom. Don’t forget to bring your most stylish pair of sunnies—there is little-to-no shade here, but your photos are guaranteed to shine no matter what.
Honorable Mention: The Museum Of Contemporary Art has exquisite modern exhibits that rotate throughout the year, so you’ll always have fresh new content. Their flagship location in La Jolla has a 3-acre oceanfront campus, but their downtown location is also wonderfully photogenic.
Built to Last
View this post on Instagram
A San Diego photography round-up would not be complete without mentioning the ever-famous Balboa Park. As one of the largest urban parks in the United States, this 1200-acre attraction is your one-stop shop for Instagrammable content, featuring backdrops for every person, theme, or season imaginable.
You can choose from a botanical vibe (anything from desert cacti to the lily pond of a Japanese garden), or for more cultural shots, check out the historic colonial architecture across the park’s beautiful outdoor chapels, theaters, and pavilions. (Think Baroque archways and ornate pillars—swoon!)
Our favorite is the colorful tile work and the whimsical walkways in the Artists Village. With something new to see around every corner, you could literally spend a whole day here and never run out of photo ops.
View this post on Instagram
The view beneath the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier is a local favorite due to its striking visual symmetry and contrast. It is especially popular during sunrise and sunset hours, when the lighting casts beautiful reflections off the water. Because of its popularity, you can almost always find some sort of professional photoshoot going on, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait your turn following an engagement or maternity session.
Honorable Mention: The Spruce Street Suspension Bridge is a hidden footbridge providing scenic views of the canyon below. Hold on tight—the bridge begins to move and sway when there are multiple people on it!
Ready for your close-up?
Transform into your most photogenic self with La Jolla’s Restore SD Plastic Surgery. Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus and her team of aesthetic experts provide a full selection of rejuvenating non-surgical treatments and cosmetic procedures to help you put your best face (and body) forward.
Whether it’s a quick refresh with Botox or fillers, a skin-tightening procedure with Renuvion, or a facial or peel with our aesthetician, we’re here to get you looking and feeling photo-ready! To set up your personal consultation and learn how our fantastic team of medical professionals can help you, call our practice at (858) 224-2281 or reach out to us online today.
Areas served:
Leave a Reply