California Photo Scout

Seaport Village

Seaport Village is neither a port nor a village but a 14-acre tourist-shopping district located on a premier waterfront property. Originally designed to resemble a Cape Cod community, the shops and restaurants are rather kitschy but photographically interesting nonetheless. Strolling along the promenade reminds me of the vacations I spent in Spain and Portugal, where time runs slower and people know how to enjoy life.

Stash your camera away for a little while and get lost in the tourist traps and “specialty shops” of Seaport Village. Relax from a long day of shooting and get into the mood of the place before you set up your equipment. Sample some food or try on a silly hat and immerse yourself in the atmosphere. Once you are resonating with this place, your pictures will show it too.

Seaport village is a pleasant place and underscores the laid-back atmosphere of San Diego.

How to get there

Seaport Village is located in downtown San Diego at Kettner Blvd. and W. Harbor Drive. There is ample parking space available. I recommend staying in a hotel near a trolley station and taking the trolley to Seaport Village Station (trolley map).

GPS position

32°42’30.35″N 117°10’9.11″W

How to photograph San Diego Seaport Village

One of my favorite spots is on Embarcadero Marina Park West, near the roundabout (Google Street View). With an ultra wide lens, you can capture the lighthouse, the yachts and the imposing views of the Marriott and Hyatt with their reflections.

Change your position by walking along the water’s edge. When you shoot from across the lighthouse, you can place it against the modern towers of the Emerald Shappery Center (with the hexagonal roofs) and play the old style wooden building against the futuristic glass towers. You will need a longer lens of about 80mm to 135mm (or equivalent). Include some reflections in the water to enhance your image.

Shooting at night really brings out the colors in the city. Our eyes do not perceive colors well in the dark, but the color rendition of your camera does not change. Sometimes it will be hard to pre-visualize your shots. Take some time to experiment and maybe you will discover a new style.

If you plan to shoot here around sunset, make sure you arrive at least 1 hour before sunset. This will give you some time to scout. There are many interesting things to photograph like the little Lagoon or the original Coney Island carousel.

Check out the views across the water toward Coronado Island

Best Time of the Day and Best Season

I like to come here before dusk and shoot until after sunset. I can capture the lighthouse, sailboats and shops in golden light and capture the reflections of the city lights in the water.

Time required

One to two hours is plenty of time at this location.

Equipment

• Tripod and Cable Release
• Wide-angle lens
• Normal to short telephoto zoom lens
• Lens Hood
• CP Filter (remove glare during the day)
• Mosquito Spray

Fees

You can validate your parking ticket and get two hours free parking. Each additional hour is $3.

Close Locations

• Aircraft Carrier USS Midway
• Star of India (Maritime Museum)
• Balboa Park
• Coronado Island
• Hotel del Coronado
• Santa Fe Depot
• San Diego’s best Night Photography spots
• Old Town
• San Diego Mission
• Pt. Cabrillo
• Mission Bay and Mission Beach
• Point Loma
• Zoo
• Sea World

Useful Resources

Seaport Village Website

San Diego Public Transport Planner

Subscribe to my feed and be the first to learn about the secret places to photograph.

If you like this post, use the buttons below to bookmark it or vote for it.

Tweet This! :: E-Mail This!
Do you find this post de.licio.us? Tell people that you reddit!