5 Locations for Summer Family Portraits in Southern California

I am a little biased about Southern California summers, having lived here my whole life. I've traveled to a few states during the summer, and I couldn't stand the heat. In Cali, we have nice weather pretty much year-round. We only have two months of the year when we have a few days of really hot weather. This is great if you want to take family portraits, as you can choose from various locations, such as the beach, mountains, and desert, and they aren't too far away or too hot to enjoy.

So to highlight our great summers, I have put together a few of my favorite locations to have sessions.

Here are 5 Locations for Summer Family Portrait in Southern California.

1- Lavender Fields

I photographed here for a photographer's meet-up and I fell in love! I have been looking for a place that allows family sessions where permits don't cost major bucks. Lavender season is only for a few months, starting at the end of May and ending late July. It's the perfect summer flower session if you missed the spring season.

I love this location because you can walk among the lavender and really feel like your playing in the flowers all around you.

2- Salt Creek Beach

I have photographed at many beaches and I really love this location. At other locations, the beach erodes and makes for a short beach that is hard to walk along without getting soaked by the waves. You don't have to worry about that at this beach. There is plenty of room to walk with your family hand in hand and not get more than your ankles in the water. There are also great cliffs and greenery that give a little shade from the sun and different looks throughout your session.

3- Jeffrey Open Space

Jeffrey Open Space is a pretty popular place for family portraits. I tend not to suggest this location during the months of October to December. Everyone does mini sessions here, and it's photographer on top of photographer on certain weekends. But the rest of the year, it is pretty empty of crowds. I have many location options that give your session variety with its trees, trails, and tunnel as options.

4- Upper Newport Bay

Upper Newport Bay is a big place and has many areas to photograph. You can choose the main parking lot location where there is a nature center, trails that take you all around the bay, and a wooden walkway along the bay. There is another smaller parking lot with trails and cliff views as well. There aren't tall trees here, so this location is great for sunset when the sun is low and not harsh, and it's more of dirt trails and brush.

5-Lido Marina

Lido Marina is a beach urban vibe. It's a great location for a lifestyle family session and is great if you want to get an activity in, like eating ice cream and window shopping. On one side, you have the marina and restaurants, and on the other side, you have the shops and nice brick walkways and walls with nice designs.

Honorable mentions

I have a few locations that I have been scouting to add to the locations that I offer:

Eucclypus Park

Oak Canyon Park

Aliso Wood

Great Park

Los Rios Historic District

Balboa Island

Just to name a few, lol.

I hope these 5 locations for summer family portraits inspire you for your next family session! If you'd like to schedule a phone consultation with me, where I will break down the details and help make booking with me easy and fun for the whole family!

Not ready to schedule a consultation? No worries, you can follow me on Instagram @biancajophotography to stay up to date with what I'm up to and what I am offering.