Shooting at Cowles Mountain: San Diego, CA

Mar 3

Want to catch a perfect golden hour for your San Diego shoot! Check out Cowles Mountain. There are many overlooks along the way starting at Cowles Mountain Trailhead so you don’t even have to hike the whole thing! Here are some tips and tricks to shooting in this location!

1. Parking

I would try to park in the main lot, so that more people are coming and going around your car. There are signs that say do not leave valuables in your car and they mean it. Seriously, don’t leave anything in your car that you want to keep and try to lock it manually, not with the key fob. This is a highly trafficked point for car break-ins.

I parked down the street and got my car broken into by using the key fob instead of manually locking it. They stole my purse and spent $14,000 on my credit cards all before I was finished with this shoot! DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING VALUABLE IN YOUR CAR HERE.

2. Timing

Try to hit it up an hour or two before sunset so you can avoid the harsh rays hitting your clients in the face and catch some spectacular lighting from the high viewpoints!

3. Uses

This location is perfect for an elopement, nature lovers, a micro wedding, proposal, or an engagement shoot. With the tan, orange colors of the rock and the golden rays of light it is perfect for showcasing and encompassing the feeling of warmth and love.

I also loved the trail guide rocks that were set up everywhere. Great for a ring shot!