San Diego Convention Center – Photo Ops

There’s no better way to document your trip to sunny San Diego than through beautiful photos. The city is already a picturesque place with clear skies, blue water, and a shining sun. By exploring the area around the San Diego Convention Center, you’ll find plenty of photogenic sites to photograph.

But those looking for a comprehensive guide are in luck, as we’ve compiled a list of some of the best photo opportunities in the area. There’s natural wonder, lots of art, and fantastic views surrounding the San Diego Convention Center to document to bring home to friends and family.

 

Murals

Countless murals line the streets of San Diego, bringing color and culture to all who visit. These impressive pieces of public art make for an eye-popping backdrop and can be found throughout the city. Below are just a few to check out and snap photos of.

 

One Pointed Attention

25 minutes from San Diego Convention Center is the mural One Pointed Attention by Kelsey Brookes. This mesmerizing work of art looks like a mandala, and invites viewers to be absorbed and enter a meditative state. Some compare it to an optical illusion that seems to be moving while staying perfectly still. The color scheme is a calming pastel with pops of green and red. The mural is at street level, so it’s easy to access and take a picture in front of.

A wide shot will show all of the impressive piece, while a close-up will show the adorable, cloud-like pattern. Celebrate the hard work of a local artist and take a picture of One Pointed Attention.

 

Smile

The Smile mural is a colorful celebration of San Diego that inspires others to take a moment just to enjoy where they are via the message, “Smile, you’re in San Diego.” The colorful mural, created as an initiative by San Diego Tourism, has thick yellow, orange, red, green, and blue stripes slanting down. “Smile” is in bold font, hugely printed across the length of the mural. Underneath it in flowing, white script reminds the viewer that “you’re in San Diego.” The artists wanted to spread sunshine and inspire others by inviting them to enjoy the present moment.

The whimsical Smile mural will brighten your Instagram feed and bring a ray of sunshine to your Snapchat. Visit the Smile mural on First Avenue and C Street, a 15-minute walk from San Diego Convention Center.

 

Greetings from San Diego

Another eye-catching mural that celebrates the city you’re in is Greetings from San Diego. This piece is based on retro postcards, containing huge letters filled with special San Diego sites. Artists Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs asked local residents what they should include in the mural and ended up with a few recognizable landmarks.

In the mural you can find Hotel del Coronado, waves crashing on the beach, an American flag alongside a Mexican flag, Balboa Park, and a pier against a stunning sunset. The artists wanted to connect the work to the community, so they invited local artist Persue to contribute. You can see his addition, a funky cartoon character called “Bunny Kitty,” in the letter I.

Show off what makes San Diego special by visiting this outstanding mural. Whether you pose in front of your favorite letter or remain behind the camera, Greetings from San Diego is a must-see photo opportunity. This mural is 15 minutes from San Diego Convention Center, at 4225 30th Street.

 

Favorite Color

Those in search of Favorite Color by Roy McMakin will be able to spot it from a while away. This photogenic mural is a series of colorful squares, mixed up in no particular order. Its lack of a color scheme or pattern makes Favorite Color dynamic and fun.

Artist Roy McMakin was inspired by the concept of “favorite colors,” a topic frequently discussed by kids, but not as much by adults. The perfect squares in the mural celebrate the preferences of people all over the community.

This colorful pop of a collage will provide an outstanding backdrop to any of your photos, whether you choose to strike a pose, point to your favorite color, or let the mural shine on its own. This mural is located at 7596 Eads Avenue, 25 minutes from San Diego Convention Center.

 

Beaches

One of the best things about California is its many beaches, where you can dig your feet into the sand and swim in the blue water. San Diego is filled with these oceanside spots that are naturally picturesque, especially when the sun sets on the horizon. Below are just a few of the impressive beaches that provide a great photo op.

 

La Jolla Cove

Just over 20 minutes from San Diego Convention Center is La Jolla, an attractive, upper-class neighborhood with some of the most scenic beaches around. Many have described La Jolla Cove as one of the most beautiful places in the San Diego area.

Ocean bluffs and sandy beaches surround La Jolla Cove, making it picturesque at any angle. The cliffs feature greenery with flowers sprinkled throughout, a breathtaking view of the ocean below, and plenty of vantage points to get a great shot. Admirers fill this area on sunny days to explore and soak in La Jolla’s natural beauty,

One of the most unique aspects of La Jolla Cove is the dozens of seals that sunbathe on the shores. Many flock to see these creatures out in the wild, snapping photos along the way.

Another amazing photo op in the area is Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, the only sea cave in California accessible by land. In order to see it, pass through Sunny Jim’s Cave Store and make your way down the stairs. The small admission fee is worth it because of the unbeatable pictures you’ll capture. Don’t miss this unique experience!

 

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is a seaside neighborhood in San Diego with plenty of photo-worthy beaches to choose from. If you’d like to get pictures of playful dogs enjoying the water, head down to the Dog Beach. Meanwhile, the Niagara Avenue Beach lets you hang out underneath the Ocean Beach Pier, providing a unique angle to take photos of the ocean.

The top of Ocean Beach Pier offers many photo opportunities as well, with fantastic views of the water and a quaint cafe located at the end of the pier. Local photographers recommend visiting this area during sunset, when it will be the most picturesque. Ocean Beach Pier is 20 minutes from San Diego Convention Center.

Lastly, a hidden gem awaits you in this area. A fantastic place to get photos is Oriental Point, a quiet spot down the beach from the pier. The blue water flows over smooth, grey rocks as the Ocean Beach Pier stands in the background. Here you’ll get fantastic, uninterrupted pictures of the sunset and potentially even surfers. You’ll find this lesser-known area about 20 minutes from San Diego Convention Center.

 

Tourmaline Beach

Close to the San Diego Convention Center is Tourmaline Beach. This small, hidden beach is surrounded by cliffs and tucked away, creating a serene escape ideal for pictures without a crowd.

The stones lined along the water provide a more rugged photography experience than typical sandy beaches. Some visitors pile these smooth stones into zen towers that make for a great photo. Visit Tourmaline Beach, which is 25 minutes from San Diego Convention Center, at 601 Tourmaline Street.

 

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

A 25-minute drive from San Diego Convention Center is Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. It stays true to its name, as this area features large, rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean, and provides outstanding views of the sunset. You can relax among the rocks and yellow flowers, admire the orange-tinted cliffs, or stay up top and watch the surfer-filled ocean from above.

If you’re looking for gorgeous sunset photos with depth, Sunset Cliffs National Park is definitely a place to have on your list.

 

Parks and Hikes

In addition to beaches, there are many parks and hikes that will bring you through the natural wonder of California. Simultaneously get great exercise and fantastic photos from the top of mountains and cliffs.

 

Balboa Park

Balboa Park is an absolute gem in San Diego that is celebrated by locals and tourists alike. This 1.9-square-mile park is more than just a playground and some fields. It contains a botanical garden, historic buildings, zoos, museums, and more.

Head into the botanical garden or greenhouse to get pictures of impressive flowers, and photograph the widely-admired lily pond. The Japanese Friendship Garden has a traditional Japanese archway, bright koi fish, bamboo, and fountains. Head over to the Spanish Village Art Center to walk along colorful tiles and artwork. The plants and trees throughout Balboa Park make for beautiful photo opportunities as well.

In addition to the natural beauty of Balboa Park, there are impressively ornate buildings such as El Prado. The design of this building was inspired by Spanish-style architecture, and it’s where many park visitors tend to gather. El Prado and Balboa Park in general are so picturesque that you may see couples taking engagement photos here.

In this area you are surrounded by potential for fantastic photographs. Best of all, Balboa Park is only eight minutes from San Diego Convention Center.

 

Centennial Park Coronado

Centennial Park Coronado, only eight minutes from San Diego Convention Center, is the ideal place to get a photo of the city skyline. This open green area by the water is welcoming and relaxing, with bright rose bushes and a wonderful view of San Diego.

 

The Flower Fields

One of the most incredible things to see in the San Diego area is The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. While this unforgettable experience is over 40 minutes from San Diego Convention Center, The Flower Fields are most likely the most picturesque place you will see in the area.

The Flower Fields consist of 50 acres of Giant Tecolote ranunculus flower, which are only in bloom in March and April. This expansive collection of flowers must be seen to be believed. Bright shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, and white burst from the ground as far as the eye can see.

This awe-inspiring feat was made possible by a man named Luther Gage, who started the cultivation of these flowers in the early 1920s. A century later, these fields are one of the most long-lasting and recognizable landmarks in the area. This ongoing effort to maintain the fields and help the flowers thrive is a symbol of diligence and an investment in the future.

When visiting, you can either take a tractor ride through the garden or walk through the designated paths. This is a popular place for taking incredible photos, which isn’t difficult in such a beautiful place. A visit to The Flower Fields is an unbeatable photo opportunity you can’t miss.

 

Potato Chip Rock

If you’re interested in a hike, there is a challenging one that rewards hikers with a great photo op at the end. The trailhead is over an hour from San Diego Convention Center, but those looking for a photo that will amaze viewers with an optical illusion, the trip will be worth it.

Potato Chip Rock is a thin platform jutting out from the side of a boulder, and appears to be as thin as a potato chip. From the right angle, it can look like the thin rock is dangling hundreds of feet in the air. In reality, this tourist attraction is only about one story high, making it relatively safe for those afraid of heights.

The hike to Potato Chip Rock is a challenging one, eight miles round-trip to be exact, but it’s a well-traveled path that will be filled with other hikers seeking out the iconic photo op. This is one of the most unique photo spots you’re going to get on any hike in the San Diego area.

 

Local Businesses

In addition to the natural beauty throughout San Diego, there are plenty of stores and businesses that embrace a photogenic aesthetic. Funky neighborhoods and up-and-coming areas regularly build and attract adorable places for people to visit, in hopes that they will deem them Instagram-worthy. Here are five destinations to visit for the perfect photo op.

 

Holy Matcha

Holy Matcha in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego is a delightful little cafe with delicious food and a chic interior. They offer delicious food such as matcha lemonade, avocado toast, and lattes, but the decor of the restaurant is the biggest appeal for those wanting to take photos.

On one of the walls in Holy Matchs is watercolor wallpaper of large, swooping palms. Light pink booths sit right in front of this soft pattern, where you can drink your matcha and get an adorable picture.

The opposite wall has a large shelf covered with plants and greenery. Muted pink accents are sprinkled throughout the restaurant, with roses and plants creating a natural atmosphere. White walls and a spacious setup make the entire dining area feel open and airy.

In addition to the booths, Holy Matcha contains soft gray chairs with fluffy pink throw pillows and pink flowers sitting on an end table. This cafe is the cutest place for photos, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get an Instagram-worthy shot. Holy Matcha is a 14-minute drive from San Diego Convention Center.

 

Hotel del Coronado

Hotel del Coronado is an iconic building and one of the most famous sites in San Diego. When the hotel opened in 1888, it was the largest resort hotel in the world. Hotel del Coronado has hosted many distinguished guests throughout its life, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, George Harrison, Babe Ruth, Madonna, and Richard Nixon.

The hotel, still a luxury resort to this day, has made many appearances in popular culture. The most famous of these appearances is its feature in the Marilyn Monroe movie Some Like It Hot. The state designated Hotel del Coronado a California Historical Landmark in 1970, and the country declared it a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

Hotel del Coronado sits right on the beach and is stunning with its bright white walls and dark orange roof. No matter where you stand, this San Diego landmark is a great photo opportunity. Hotel del Coronado is only 12 minutes from San Diego Convention Center.

 

Pigment

Pigment, a family-owned boutique in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego, is arguably the most Instagrammed store in the area. An adorable pink gradient wall, perfect for photographing, greets visitors before they even enter the shop.

In the shop itself, you may notice that the owner set up every inch of the store in the most aesthetically pleasing way. Pigment’s understated interior has a calm color scheme of white, cream, dusty rose, light beige, and dark green. Fresh plants placed throughout the store provides Pigment with a natural and down-to-earth vibe. They also feature a build-your-own succulent wall, which is as fun to partake in as it is to photograph.

Pigment curates its items from a variety of sources and emphasizes its relationship with local vendors. They make sure everything is of the utmost quality before bringing it into their design-savvy shop, which is why the entire place is so stylish. There are so many opportunities to take pictures of their spacious, airy environment with gorgeous furniture and healthy plants. This adorable shop is less than 15 minutes from San Diego Convention Center.

 

Artelexia

Visitors to the North Park neighborhood can visit Artelexia, a unique shop with plenty of potential photo ops. Artelexia attracts visitors with its big, colorful mural of Frida Kahlo, bright orange and blue exterior, and rainbow flags strung along the porch.

This charming store is filled with items that celebrate Mexican culture, such as books, snacks, housewares, and clothing. Inside there is another mural of Frida Kahlo that says “Love Yourself.” There is a wall of bright flowers; colorful Mexican pottery; orange, purple, and red flowers placed in traditional vases; mismatched bowls and cups; funky pillows; and more.

Unique souvenirs and other items line the pink and green walls, which provide a colorful backdrop for any picture taken inside. Celebrate Mexican culture and fantastic photo opportunities by visiting Artelexia, which is 15 minutes from San Diego Convention Center.

These spots are but a fraction of where to get impressive photos in San Diego. Professional photographers have scoured every inch of the city and gotten amazing shots all over. Now you have an idea of where to start! The California coast is filled with so much natural beauty that it won’t be hard to find Instagram-worthy places.