Engagement sessions are always a lot of fun to photograph, and Southern California has some of the most picturesque locations to choose from. You can explore many options if you’re drawn to iconic beaches, intimate historic venues, or lush greenery. It’s no surprise that couples worldwide choose Southern California for their engagement photos and weddings, enchanted by the breathtaking backdrop it offers. Below, we’ve curated a list featuring some of my favorite locations and venues for couples and engagement photos, complete with valuable tips and if that location requires a permit for the session.
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles is an excellent backdrop for your engagement session, offering a captivating blend of modern and traditional architecture. The iconic concert hall and bustling city streets create a breathtaking setting for your photos. For a more tranquil experience, consider scheduling your session on Sundays when the area tends to be quieter, allowing you to capture intimate moments against the dynamic urban landscape. Explore the unique charm of Downtown LA, where each corner reveals a new and exciting backdrop for your engagement photos.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: None needed
Best Time of year: Year Round, Busy around the holiday season, best to go on Sundays
Travel Fee: $60.00
What Clothing Works Best: Semiformal to formal colorful clothing looks best here.
Los Angeles Art District
Transformed from an industrial area to a vibrant artist community in the mid-’70s, this locale has become a haven for trendy coffee shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Brimming with color Murals and a playful atmosphere, it’s an ideal choice for those seeking something a little different for their engagement session. Explore the unique and dynamic surroundings, capturing the essence of creativity and modernity in each frame. This location promises a lively and distinctive backdrop that adds a touch of flair to your engagement photos.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: To my knowledge, there are no fees
Best Time of year: Year Round but more crowded on the weekends
Travel Fee: None
What Clothing Works Best: Casual, semiformal, or formal
Los Angeles Arboretum
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, spanning 127 acres, is a haven for nature lovers seeking a picturesque outdoor setting. Explore the lush tropical gardens, revel in the beauty of waterfalls, wander through the enchanting Bamboo forest, and find serenity in the Redwood and rose gardens. This location offers a diverse range of natural landscapes, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate the beauty of nature. With numerous areas to choose from, the Arboretum provides an ideal backdrop for capturing your love amidst the tranquility and splendor of its diverse botanical wonders.
Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Permit Fees & Notes: $75.00 fee plus $11.00 Admission fee
Best Time of year: Best when it gets dark around 5:00pm or pay for the after-hours permit with a golf cart escort for $300.00 for summer.
Travel Fee: None
What Clothing Works Best: Casual or semiformal colorful clothing looks best here. Avoid Green colored clothing at this location.
Greystone Mansion
Greystone Mansion & Gardens is a popular event site, hosting weddings, corporate events, photo shoots, meetings, and various private functions. With a rich history as an iconic motion picture and television shoot location, Greystone has graced the screen in numerous films, including The Big Lebowski, Spider-Man, The Social Network, and There Will Be Blood. Its timeless charm and cinematic allure make it an exquisite choice for capturing moments that echo the glamour and elegance of Hollywood’s golden era.
Hours: 10:00pm to 5:00pm
Permit Fees & Notes: $395.00 for one hour
Best Time of year: best when sunsets around 5:00pm
Travel Fee: $60.00
What Clothing Works Best: Formal clothing looks best here.
Santa Monica Pier
Few things are more iconic than the ferris wheel and roller-coaster perched atop Santa Monica Pier. It’s not just a location; it’s an experience. For your engagement session, immerse yourselves in the fun and playfulness of this lively spot. Enjoy a couple of games, take a ride on the attractions, and stroll under the pier for a romantic touch. The vibrant atmosphere, combined with the nostalgic charm of the amusement park, creates a unique and lively backdrop for capturing the joy and spirit of your love.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: To my knowledge, there are no fees
Best Time of year: I shoot here from October to May Only.
Travel Fee: $60.00
What Clothing Works Best: Simi-casual or semiformal clothing looks best here.
One Of My Favorite Beach Locations
I will keep this spot a secret, but it’s near Long Beach and is the perfect choice for beach enthusiasts seeking a versatile location with many options. With stunning, expansive cliffs, breathtaking views, rocky beaches, and the occasional visit from sea lions, this location offers a dynamic and visually striking backdrop. Whether you envision a romantic beachfront scene or a dramatic cliffside setting, this spot provides the ideal canvas for capturing your love against the natural beauty of the ocean and rugged coastline.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: To my knowledge, there are no fees
Best Time of year: Year-round
Travel Fee: None
What Clothing Works Best: Casual or semi-formal clothing looks best here. Avoid wearing blues and tans to stand out against the water.
Los Rios Street Historic District in San Juan Capistrano
Immerse yourself in the charm of the Los Rios District, where a stroll through its historic streets unveils a treasure trove of delights. Explore the train depot, adobe structures, and vibrant gardens that serve as enchanting settings. The quaint storefronts and homes add a touch of coziness, creating a picturesque backdrop for capturing timeless and adorable moments in your photographs. The unique character of this area lends itself beautifully to creating memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: No
Best Time of year: Year Round, Busy around the holiday season
Travel Fee: No
What Clothing Works Best: Formal or semi-formal colorful clothing looks best here.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
The Mission San Juan Capistrano boasts stunning old architecture set amidst enchanting gardens, making it an ideal location for memorable engagement sessions. To capture the true essence of this historical gem, it’s recommended to plan your shoot during the week and avoid the bustling summer crowds. This way, you can enjoy a more intimate and serene atmosphere, allowing the beauty of the Mission and its surroundings to become a captivating backdrop for your engagement photos.
Hours: 9AM to 5PM
Permit Fees & Notes: Cost: $100 – Monday, Cost: $80 – Tuesday through Sunday. View More Details
Best Time of year: For lighting, It’s best at this location when it gets dark closer to 5:00pm.
Travel Fee: None
What Clothing Works Best: Semiformal to Formal clothing looks best here. Stay away from brown and tan colors; bright works best here.
Huntington Beach Pier
Huntington Beach Pier provides a captivating blend of beachfront beauty and urban surroundings, making it an excellent choice for couples seeking a combination of both styles. Embrace the coastal charm with the sandy shores and the rhythmic waves, then seamlessly transition to the urban backdrop with the pier and surrounding structures. This location allows you to capture the best of both worlds – the serene romance of the beach and the dynamic energy of urban elements. It’s a versatile setting that offers diverse opportunities to create a visually appealing engagement.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: To my knowledge, there are no fees
Best Time of year: I shoot here from October to May Only.
Travel Fee: None
What Clothing Works Best: Semi-casual or semiformal colorful clothing looks best here.
OC Parks
Orange County is home to a remarkable collection of parks, collectively known as the OC Parks. These charming recreational spaces are adorned with scenic trails, expansive fields, and lush greenery, offering an ideal setting for a rustic and enchanting engagement session. Immerse yourselves in the wonders of nature as you explore these idyllic locations, capturing unforgettable moments amidst the beauty that Orange County’s parks have to offer. It’s a perfect way to blend the romance of your love story with the natural splendor of the outdoors.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: I will provide the permit
Best Time of year: Year-Round
What Clothing Works Best: Casual or semiformal colorful, bright or light and airy clothing looks best here; stay away from brown colors.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in Orange County, making it a popular choice for weddings and engagement sessions. Beyond its beautiful coastline, Laguna boasts a vibrant downtown area, providing a variety of backdrops for your photos. Additionally, venture into the scenic hiking trails nestled in the hills, offering spectacular views that add a touch of adventure to your session. Laguna Beach is a versatile location that seamlessly combines beachfront elegance, urban charm, and the natural beauty of its surrounding hills, ensuring a rich and diverse backdrop for capturing your love story.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: Yes. $100.00 for a 2-hour permit.
Best Time of year: I shoot here from October to May Only.
Travel Fee: None
What Clothing Works Best: Semiformal colorful clothing looks best here.
Noguchi Gardens
Noguchi Gardens in Costa Mesa is a hidden gem, a captivating art sculpture area that becomes the perfect backdrop for romantic and playful engagement sessions. This unique and artistic setting offers a blend of tranquility and creativity, providing a distinctive atmosphere for capturing the essence of your love story. The sculptures and gardens create a visually stunning environment, adding an element of artistic flair to your engagement photos. It’s a hidden oasis that invites couples to explore its beauty and infuse a touch of romance into every frame.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: To my knowledge, there are no fees
Best Time of year: Year-round.
Travel Fee: None
What Clothing Works Best: Semiformal and Formal colorful clothing looks best here.
Balboa Park in San Diego
Balboa Park, spanning 1,200 acres, is a cherished urban cultural park and is a special place among my favorite locations. The park is a visual delight with beautiful old architecture adorning every corner, several enchanting gardens, expansive old trees, and the soothing presence of fountains. Balboa Park truly offers something for everyone, making it an ideal backdrop for capturing diverse and timeless moments. Whether you’re drawn to historic structures, lush greenery, or the serene ambiance of fountains, this park provides a captivating setting for an array of stunning photographs.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: To my knowledge, there are no fees
Best Time of year: Year-round.
Travel Fee: $60.00
What Clothing Works Best: Semiformal to formal colorful clothing looks best here. Avoid wearing tans and greens at this location.
Palm Springs
The desert offers a lot of locations to choose from for your engagement session. Explore the vibrant downtown area of Palm Springs, venture into the scenic beauty of Joshua Tree, embrace the unique allure of the Salton Sea, capture the iconic windmills, and immerse yourself in the unconventional ambiance of Salvation Mountain. The desert landscape provides a diverse canvas with colorful backdrops, mid-century houses, and natural wonders. Whether you seek the chic charm of urban settings or the rustic beauty of the desert, these locations offer a rich tapestry for creating unforgettable moments in your engagement photos.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: To my knowledge, there are no fees
Best Time of year: November to April
Travel Fee: $60.00
What Clothing Works Best: Casual or semiformal, colorful, bright or light, and airy clothing looks best here.
Joshua Tree National Park
For the couple who enjoys the outdoors, hiking, and exploring. Joshua Tree is a breathtaking setting for an engagement session. The vast landscape features towering boulder formations, an abundance of iconic Joshua Trees, and hidden gems that intrigue your photos. Embark on a journey through this stunning desert terrain, capturing the essence of your love amidst nature’s wonders. Joshua Tree provides a unique and awe-inspiring backdrop for couples who crave a blend of adventure and natural beauty in their engagement photos.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: None
Best Time of year: I shoot here from the end of September to May. It does get in the hundreds here in the summer, and shooting in the heat is unsafe.
Travel Fee: $60.00
What Clothing Works Best: Casual or semi-formal clothing looks best here. Stay away from tan colors.
The Salton Sea / Salvation Mountain
While this location may not appeal to everyone due to its distinct characteristics, it offers a unique charm for couples seeking something different. It emanates a peculiar aroma and exudes a somewhat eerie ambiance, yet it becomes the perfect setting for those who appreciate the unconventional. Abandoned buildings, peculiar art pieces, graffiti, and a myriad of cool spots culminate in the distinctive atmosphere of Salvation Mountain. It’s a destination that embraces the unconventional, making it an ideal backdrop for capturing the essence of couples who dare to venture off the beaten path.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: To my knowledge, there are no fees
Best Time of year: I shoot here from November to April Only
Travel Fee: $60.00
What Clothing Works Best: Casual or semiformal colorful clothing looks best here.
Big Bear Lake
While a bit of a drive from Orange County, Big Bear Lake offers stunning locations around the lake that are well worth the journey for a photoshoot. The picturesque surroundings provide a beautiful backdrop, capturing the serene beauty of the lake, lush landscapes, and the charm of the mountainous region. If you’re looking for a more remote and nature-inspired setting, Big Bear Lake is an excellent choice, offering a tranquil escape that adds a touch of mountainous allure to your engagement photos.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: To my knowledge, there are no fees
Best Time of year: Year-Round
Travel Fee: $60.00
What Clothing Works Best: Casual or semiformal clothing looks best here. Stay away from colors like green and tan.
Lake Arrowhead
Nestled in the majestic mountains of the San Bernardino National Forest, Lake Arrowhead provides a breathtaking setting for your engagement session. Begin by capturing the tranquil beauty by the lake, surrounded by the stunning natural landscape. As the day progresses, venture to one of the mountain turn-offs for truly spectacular views of the Inland Empire at sunset. The shifting colors of the sky against the mountainous backdrop create a magical ambiance, offering a romantic and picturesque setting for capturing unforgettable moments during the golden hour.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Permit Fees & Notes: To my knowledge, there are no fees
Best Time of year: Year-Round
Travel Fee: $60.00
What Clothing Works Best: Casual or semiformal colorful clothing looks best here. Stay away from green and tan colors.
