Visiting San Diego? Don’t miss these popular photo spots.
After spending a year living in San Diego, we’ve instagrammed the city quite a bit on our accounts (estherjulee + jacobthefu + localadventurer). Now that our time here is coming to a close, we’re realizing more and more how much we’re going to miss this city and its picturesque spots.
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Last Updated: February 7, 2023
13 San Deigo INstagram Spots You Can’t Miss
Here are our favorite Instagram spots in town. Let us know if there are any others we should add to the list!
1. Scripps Pier at La Jolla Beach
8650 Kennel Way, La Jolla, CA 92037, map
This iconic San Diego photo gives you an amazing view through the bottom of the pier. It’s a great place to watch the sunset, enjoy the beach, and explore the surrounding La Jolla area.
See More: Ultimate Guide to San Diego Beaches
2. Salk Institute of Biological Studies
10010 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, map
The Salk Institute is a functioning research facility that has some of the best architecture in San Diego. Despite the fact that it always looks abandoned or empty in all the photos online, there is a constant stream of workers and tourists walking through especially during the workday.
3. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Ladera St, San Diego, CA 92107, map
This is my favorite place in San Diego. It gives you plenty of vantage points to enjoy the sunset and watch the waves crashing against the cliffs. There’s an arch you can jump off during the summer and a secret (not-so-secret) sea cave/sinkhole (that you can explore at your own risk).
See More: 25 Free Things to Do in San Diego
4. Old Point Loma Lighthouse →
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106, map
Located in Cabrillo National Monument, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse has an iconic spiral staircase that everyone loves to photograph. In Point Loma, you’ll also get a great view of the San Diego skyline over the bay.
See More: Tide pooling at Cabrillo National Monument + Secret Sea Cave
5. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (Downtown)
1100 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, map
This museum has a few different exhibits rotating throughout the year, and they make plenty of appearances on Instagram. These exhibits have already left, but see the ones they have now here.
See More: Ultimate San Diego Bucket List
6. Dr Seuss Tree (La Jolla)
1100 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037, map
Did you know Dr. Seuss lived much of his life in San Diego? There is a tree in La Jolla that people call the Dr. Seuss Tree. It is said to have inspired the Truffula Tree in Lorax. Can you see the resemblance?
Local Tip: There is also a Dr. Seuss art gallery in La Jolla where you can buy originals and prints.
See More: The Abandoned Mushroom House on Blacks Beach San Diego
7. Chicano Park
32.6996515,-117.1447764, map
Chicano Park has a rich history, but the main draw for photographers and IGers are its beautiful murals. Each has a story of its own.
8. Ho Cho Minh Trail (Saigon Trail) →
32.884992,-117.2533585, map
This hike will take you through unique rock structures, and at the end, you can enjoy the sunset from the beach (a sometimes nude one). Don’t forget to check out the Mushroom House too while you’re there.
See More: How to Hike the Ho Chi Minh Trail
9. The Pond in balboa Park
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, map
This is an obvious touristy spot, but it’s beautiful and hard to resist for any photographer. The best times to go are sunrise and sunset.
See More: Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park
10. Potato Chip Rock →
33.0092674,-116.9764378, map
We have mixed feelings about this hike, but we can’t deny that it’s a fun photo opp. It’s an optical illusion that you have to see for yourself.
See More: The Truth about the Potato Chip Rock Hike
11. Broken Hill (Torrey Pines)
32.9153316,-117.2574292, map
Torrey Pines has some of our favorite day hikes overlooking the ocean.
12. Any of San Diego’s Beaches
You can always find beautiful photos to share from the beaches of San Diego. The photo below is actually a rare occurrence in Coronado where you can see a sunken ship at low tide.
See More: Where to Find the Sunken Ship in San Diego
13. Pigment (North Park)
3801 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104, map
This is a store in North Park that looks like it’s made for instagram. If you visit, you’ll see what I’m talking about. Don’t forget to pick up some of my favorite postcards designed by our friend, Katie Hart at Odd Daughter Co. I also loved making a terrarium while I was there.
Local Tip: You can easily get around the Grand Canyon Village with the free shuttle bus.
See More: Best Things to Do in North Park Neighborhood Guide
Bonus: The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch (Spring Only) →
5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008, map
If you’re in San Diego during spring, you should check out these flower fields. There are plenty of photo ops!
See More: Beautiful California Flower Fields You Must Visit This Spring
Map of San Diego Instagram Spots
Best Places to Stay in San Diego
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Find a great deal on San Diego hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a SoCal travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
Did we miss any cool Instagram spots in San Diego? What are some favorite Instagram spots where you live?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.
Don’t forget about Old Town San Diego! Nice photo ops, food, snacks, music, museums and history of the area
Oh yea! We need to explore that area more.