12 Beautiful Photos of San Diego, California

By May 17, 2013January 10th, 2022Beautiful Views of San Diego, San Diego

12 Beautiful Photographs of San Diego, California.

America’s Finest City, indeed. San Diego is a photographer’s paradise, with fantastic weather year-round, gorgeous beaches, nearby mountains, the Pacific Ocean on our doorstep, and an attractive city skyline to boot. Here are some of my favorite photos of San Diego. If you like these, be sure to check out my gallery of San Diego photos (or my gallery of San Diego aerial photographs), all of which are available for editorial and commercial licensing and as prints for hanging in your home or office. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

San Diego city skyline at sunset, showing the buildings of downtown San Diego rising above San Diego Harbor, viewed from Harbor Island. A panoramic photograph, composite of thirteen separate images

San Diego city skyline at sunset, showing the buildings of downtown San Diego rising above San Diego Harbor, viewed from Harbor Island. A panoramic photograph, composite of thirteen separate images.
Image ID: 22255
Location: San Diego, California, USA

San Diego Coronado Bridge, known locally as the Coronado Bridge, links San Diego with Coronado, California. The bridge was completed in 1969 and was a toll bridge until 2002. It is 2.1 miles long and reaches a height of 200 feet above San Diego Bay. Coronado Island is to the left, and downtown San Diego is to the right in this view looking north

San Diego Coronado Bridge, known locally as the Coronado Bridge, links San Diego with Coronado, California. The bridge was completed in 1969 and was a toll bridge until 2002. It is 2.1 miles long and reaches a height of 200 feet above San Diego Bay. Coronado Island is to the left, and downtown San Diego is to the right in this view looking north.
Image ID: 22288
Location: San Diego, California, USA

San Diego harbor skyline, late afternoon, storm clouds and mountains

San Diego harbor skyline, late afternoon, storm clouds and mountains.
Image ID: 15672
Location: San Diego, California, USA

Torrey Pines State Beach, sandstone cliffs rise above the beach at Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego, California

Torrey Pines State Beach, sandstone cliffs rise above the beach at Torrey Pines State Reserve.
Image ID: 22435
Location: Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego, California, USA

Hotel del Coronado with holiday Christmas night lights, known affectionately as the Hotel Del. It was once the largest hotel in the world, and is one of the few remaining wooden Victorian beach resorts. It sits on the beach on Coronado Island, seen here with downtown San Diego in the distance. It is widely considered to be one of Americas most beautiful and classic hotels. Built in 1888, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977

Hotel del Coronado with holiday Christmas night lights, known affectionately as the Hotel Del. It was once the largest hotel in the world, and is one of the few remaining wooden Victorian beach resorts. It sits on the beach on Coronado Island, seen here with downtown San Diego in the distance. It is widely considered to be one of Americas most beautiful and classic hotels. Built in 1888, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
Image ID: 27396
Location: San Diego, California, USA

Coronado Bridge, linking San Diego to Coronado, sunrise, viewed from Coronado Island. San Diego Coronado Bridge, known locally as the Coronado Bridge, links San Diego with Coronado, California. The bridge was completed in 1969 and was a toll bridge until 2002. It is 2.1 miles long and reaches a height of 200 feet above San Diego Bay

Coronado Bridge, linking San Diego to Coronado, sunrise, viewed from Coronado Island. San Diego Coronado Bridge, known locally as the Coronado Bridge, links San Diego with Coronado, California. The bridge was completed in 1969 and was a toll bridge until 2002. It is 2.1 miles long and reaches a height of 200 feet above San Diego Bay.
Image ID: 27101
Location: San Diego, California, USA

San Diego harbor and skyline, viewed at sunset

San Diego harbor and skyline, viewed at sunset.
Image ID: 27146
Location: San Diego, California, USA

Approaching sunrise and star trails over the San Diego Downtown City Skyline. In this 60 minute exposure, stars create trails through the night sky over downtown San Diego

Approaching sunrise and star trails over the San Diego Downtown City Skyline. In this 60 minute exposure, stars create trails through the night sky over downtown San Diego.
Image ID: 28386
Location: San Diego, California, USA

Imperial Beach pier at sunrise,

Imperial Beach pier at sunrise,
Image ID: 27414
Location: Imperial Beach, California, USA

Panoramic photo of San Diego embarcadero, showing the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina (center), Roy's Restaurant (center) and Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel (left) viewed from the San Diego Embarcadero Marine Park

Panoramic photo of San Diego embarcadero, showing the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina (center), Roy’s Restaurant (center) and Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel (left) viewed from the San Diego Embarcadero Marine Park.
Image ID: 26568
Location: San Diego, California, USA

The Mount Soledad Cross, a landmark in La Jolla, California. The Mount Soledad Cross is a 29-foot-tall cross erected in 1954

The Mount Soledad Cross, a landmark in La Jolla, California. The Mount Soledad Cross is a 29-foot-tall cross erected in 1954.
Image ID: 26547
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

Dusk settles on downtown San Diego with snow-covered Mt. Laguna in the distance

Dusk settles on downtown San Diego with snow-covered Mt. Laguna in the distance.
Image ID: 26716
Location: San Diego, California, USA

Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres professional baseball team, overlooking downtown San Diego at dusk

Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres professional baseball team, overlooking downtown San Diego at dusk.
Image ID: 27049
Location: San Diego, California, USA

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!