July 14, 2026
I’ve spent almost five years hunting down the best engagement session locations California has to offer. California born, Canada raised, I spent most of my life in Ontario before making my way back here, and in that time, I’ve been on a bit of a mission. I’ve been building a personal map of engagement session locations across California that I’ve visited and scouted myself before ever recommending them to a couple. Every spot on there has been tested. If I’ve added it, I’ve stood in it, walked it, and decided it was worth someone’s time. One of my favorite things is pulling up that map with a couple and watching their reaction when they see something incredible that’s been right down the road from them the whole time.
Narrowing down my favorites for this post is honestly like being asked to pick a favorite kid. Nearly impossible. But here are a few of them, and I’ll probably do another post down the line because California gives you way too much to work with to fit into one list.
Some of My Favorite Engagement Session Spots
Marshall’s Beach, San Francisco
Most couples who want a Golden Gate Bridge shot for their engagement photos head straight to Baker Beach or Crissy Field. Marshall’s Beach is the one they overlook, and that’s exactly what makes it so special.
It’s a bit of a hike to get down there. Once you arrive, you’re standing on a rugged stretch of coastline with the Golden Gate Bridge right in front of you. Not off in the distance but actually right there. When the tide is low enough, you can get remarkably close. The scale of the whole thing is something photos genuinely struggle to capture. The raw, natural coastline, combined with that iconic structure overhead, creates a completely different energy than anything else you’ll find in the city. It’s one of those spots that surprises people every single time, and for couples looking for unique San Francisco engagement photos, it’s hard to top.
Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt County
There are so many incredible engagement session locations across Northern California, but how could I put together this list without including the redwoods?
My favorite spot here is along the trails near the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. What I love about this area is how much variety you get without having to travel far. The redwoods themselves are obviously stunning, and standing among trees that size puts everything into perspective in a way that photographs beautifully. Moving toward the road that cuts through them gives you this incredible sense of scale that feels almost cinematic. Heading down toward the river gives you something else entirely, quieter, more intimate, with a completely different quality of light. For couples who want Humboldt engagement photos that feel truly unique, this area delivers in ways that are hard to replicate anywhere else.
Point Reyes National Seashore
There are a few locations in California that are just truly unmatched, and Point Reyes is one of them.
No matter how many times I visit, it still manages to stop me in my tracks. The landscape shifts dramatically depending on where you are within the park. Open rolling meadows stretch on for what feels like forever, then give way to dramatic coastal cliffs. Tucked away beaches that feel completely untouched sit alongside dense forested trails, worlds away from everything else. For couples looking for Point Reyes engagement photos, the variety this location offers is genuinely unrivaled anywhere in Northern California.
The one thing I always tell couples about Point Reyes is that you need to give it time. This is not a one-hour session location. Three hours minimum is what I recommend. The best spots spread across a large area, and rushing through it does both the location and your photos a real disservice. Come with time and an open mind, and it will deliver every single time.
Two Locations Still on My Dream List
These haven’t happened yet as engagement session locations for me, but I think about them more than I probably should.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of those places I visited as a kid that just never left me. My family went often, and there’s something about it that has always felt magical. Between the conservation efforts, the stunning marine exhibits, and the beauty of the Monterey coastline, this place gives me so many ideas. Just thinking about it gets me genuinely excited. I’d show up more than prepared for this one, and the photos would be unlike anything I’ve made before. If you’re interested in making this happen, I am absolutely ready to have that conversation. Monterey engagement photos at the aquarium would be something truly special.
Yosemite National Park
It’s hard to talk about California engagement locations without talking about Yosemite. My family camped there often when I was growing up, and those memories have stayed with me for a long time. The hiking, the rivers, the sheer scale of everything around you. There’s a reason Ansel Adams dedicated so much of his legendary career to capturing it and why so many couples seek out Yosemite engagement photos, and it’s easy to see why. Getting to shoot a session there is something I would approach with everything I have, and I genuinely cannot wait for the day that opportunity comes.
California has so much to offer, and this list barely scratches the surface. Want to know what else is on my personal location map? Or need help finding the perfect spot for your session across Northern California and beyond? Just reach out. This is genuinely one of my favorite parts of the whole process.
