Best Locations for Engagement Sessions In Orange County
When planning a wedding, there are so many things to do—and preparing for your engagement session is one of the first steps. Between choosing outfits, picking the perfect date or season, and finding the right backdrop, there’s a lot to consider. With so many beautiful locations for engagement photos across Orange County, narrowing it down can definitely be a challenge. So where is the best place to take engagement photos in Orange County?
As an Orange County engagement photographer, I’m constantly exploring both new and familiar locations, so I put together this guide to help you make the most of your session and discover some of the best spots for engagement photos in OC.
Depending on the length of your session, we may even be able to visit more than one Orange County engagement photo location. Many of these spots are not only ideal for engagement photos, but also beautiful settings for wedding portraits—especially if they’re near your Orange County wedding venue. They’re also great options for proposals or wedding portraits following a courthouse ceremony.
As an Orange County wedding photographer who photographs many amazing couples, I’ve curated this list of some of the best places for engagement photos in Orange County to help you narrow down your choices. Hopefully, it sparks some ideas! And if you’d like to chat more about having me photograph your Orange County engagement session, I’d love to hear from you.
SALT CREEK BEACH & BLUFF TRAIL – DANA POINT
Address: 33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA 92629
Permit: None
Salt Creek Beach offers the classic beach look but with dramatic bluffs and golden light that South Orange County is known for. The grassy bluff trail above the beach provides beautiful elevated views, while the shoreline below is perfect for soft, romantic sunset photos. You get both sweeping landscapes and intimate coastal moments in one location.
INDOOR PHOTO STUDIO LOCATION – ORANGE COUNTY
Address: Various
Permit: Varies depending on studio rental
A clean, modern studio session is a timeless option that works in every season. Many OC studios offer natural light, curated furniture, and customizable backdrops so you can create a clean, editorial look. It’s also the perfect backup if rain threatens your scheduled session. Indoor studios provide privacy, which is great for couples who prefer fewer crowds or feel shy with PDA. Some of the best OC studio spaces can be found on Peerspace or Airbnb.
TOP OF THE WORLD – LAGUNA BEACH
Address: 3300 Alta Laguna Blvd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Permit: None
One of the most iconic viewpoints in Orange County, Top of the World offers sweeping views of rolling hills, rugged canyons, and the Pacific Ocean. The wide open landscape, soft golden-hour glow, and panoramic backdrop give you a breathtaking setting for photos. Sunrise and early morning tend to be the most peaceful times for this location.
TREASURE ISLAND & MONTAGE LAGUNA BEACH – LAGUNA BEACH
Address: 30801 S. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Permit: None
Treasure Island features dramatic rock formations, lush gardens, and clean pathways overlooking the ocean. The famous Laguna archway is a favorite backdrop, and the nearby cliffs add texture and variety to your session. This spot is one of the most popular places for Laguna Beach engagement photos because of its versatility and beauty.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY HALL – SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
Address: 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Permit: None
With warm-toned walls, clean lines, and Spanish-inspired architecture, San Juan Capistrano City Hall offers a beautiful, structured setting reminiscent of Pasadena City Hall—but quieter and easier to photograph. Courtyards, arches, and staircases provide a refined backdrop that pairs beautifully with formal engagement looks.
DANA POINT HARBOR – DANA POINT
Address: 34555 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629
Permit: None
The harbor offers colorful docks, sailboats, waterfront pathways, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. It’s perfect for couples who want nautical details or a more casual, lifestyle-oriented session. Sunset at the harbor is incredibly photogenic.
MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
Address: 26801 Old Mission Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Permit: Required; varies depending on photography
One of the most iconic photo locations in all of Orange County, the Mission offers stunning gardens, historic stone walls, archways, fountains, and warm golden light. It’s incredibly romantic and timeless. Weekdays provide the best chance for fewer crowds, and the gardens look beautiful year-round.
NIGUEL BOTANICAL PRESERVE – LAGUNA NIGUEL
Address: 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Permit: None
This lush botanical garden offers winding paths, cactus gardens, blooming flowers, and shaded areas. It’s a quieter alternative to busy botanical gardens and provides a gorgeous natural feel. Morning light here is especially soft and flattering.
THE ECOLOGY CENTER – SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
Address: 32701 Alipaz St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Permit: Rates vary; permission required
This modern organic farm features orchards, open fields, wooden structures, and earthy touches. It provides a serene, natural, editorial-style setting. With curated design elements and rustic details, The Ecology Center is perfect for couples wanting an organic, warm, minimalistic look.
SAN CLEMENTE PIER & BEACH TRAIL – SAN CLEMENTE
Address: 615 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, CA 92672
Permit: None
The San Clemente Pier offers a vintage, charming beach vibe with wooden planks, ocean views, and pastel sunsets. Nearby, the beach trail provides greenery, cliffs, and multiple access points to the shoreline. This is a great location for couples wanting both classic beach photos and a more rustic, coastal feel.
CASPERS WILDERNESS PARK – SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
Address: 33401 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Permit: None
If traditional beach photos aren’t your style, Caspers provides gorgeous open fields, oak trees, rolling hills, and golden meadows. It feels like you’ve escaped to a remote landscape while still being close to town. Afternoon light here turns the grasses golden, creating a dreamy, outdoorsy atmosphere.
THE SHERMAN LIBRARY & GARDENS – CORONA DEL MAR
Address: 2647 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
Permit: Required (rates vary)
This charming garden offers beautiful pathways, curated flower beds, fountains, and a warm, intimate atmosphere. It’s perfect for couples who want a sophisticated, botanical setting. Because the gardens are smaller, mornings or weekdays are best for privacy.
DOHENY STATE BEACH – DANA POINT
Address: 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
Permit: None
Doheny offers easy access, calm shoreline views, tall palm trees, and a relaxed, coastal vibe. It’s perfect for couples who want low-key, sunny, and effortless beach photos without steep walks or cliffside terrain.
OTHER LESS COMMON LOCATIONS FOR ORANGE COUNTY ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
YOUR HOME
An at-home session is intimate, relaxed, and personal—perfect if you want engagement photos that feel natural and authentic. This can also be a great add-on to another location in Orange County if you want a mix of cozy and scenic.
YOUR FAVORITE DATE SPOT
I always encourage couples to treat their engagement session like a date. This could be a sunset coffee run in Laguna Beach, a wine bar in San Clemente, a cozy brunch spot in Dana Point, or even a casual stroll through the shops at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Whatever your favorite date activity is—picnic, cocktails, café, museum—choosing a place meaningful to you helps you relax and makes the photos feel genuine to your relationship.
A HOTEL STAYCATION
Orange County has so many beautiful, design-forward hotels that make incredible backdrops for editorial or lifestyle engagement photos. Many hotels, however, have strict photography policies and may require a permit or fee, and some restrict photography in public spaces altogether. Still, even the interior of your room can create a chic, flash-style or editorial look.
If you’re interested in shooting at an Orange County hotel, be sure to talk with your photographer ahead of time so you can coordinate with staff and secure any required permissions. Fees typically range anywhere from $500–$2,000+ depending on the property.
Some great Orange County hotels for a stylish staycation session include:
Montage Laguna Beach
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach
Lido House, Newport Beach
The Inn at the Mission, San Juan Capistrano
Vintage cars are always fun and show off your style as well. I always love bringing couples interest and style into our engagement shoots.
A well-known local rental company that offers vintage vehicles like a 1956 Ford Thunderbird, 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster, 1966 Ford Mustang, 1961 Chevy Corvette convertible, and more — ideal for styled engagement or wedding photos.
