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Best North County San Diego Proposal Spots

January 8, 2024

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It’s finally time! You’re ready to ask your girlfriend to be your wife, but there’s one question you still have to answer: Where are you going to propose? San Diego has so many amazing options, but choosing one that’s less crowded and uniquely special to you is half the battle. We know how much pressure it is just to get down on one knee, much less pick the perfect spot, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorite proposal spots in North County San Diego!

01 – Carlsbad Cliffs

Engagement proposal at Carlsbad Cliffs in North County San Diego, California.

San Diego is known for it’s beaches, but finding a spot where there won’t be people in the background can be a challenge. Carlsbad Cliffs is perfect for proposals because the cliffs perfectly block the people on the sand below without blocking the gorgeous view of the ocean. You can view Anna & Mike’s proposal at this location HERE! We recommend choosing the cliffs closest to the houses off of Carlsbad Boulevard. There are less people watching sunset there than the rest of the cliffs and there’s almost always more parking towards that area. Here is a Dropped Pin!

Another great thing about this spot is that it is down the street from some of the best restaurants in North County, so you can make a reservation and celebrate right afterwards! We love 264 Fresco, Vigilucci’s Seafood & Steakhouse, and Campfire!

Dropped pin for Carlsbad Cliffs proposal spot.

02 – San Onofre Beach

Engagement Session at San Onofre State Beach in San Clemente, California.

If you’re okay with spending a few dollars to get a private spot on the sand, San Onofre Beach in San Clemente is a great option. Only twenty minutes outside of Oceanside, you are able to get a much more private proposal on the beach. There are several backdrop options including tall grass, cliffs, and the beach itself. Check out an engagement session we did there!

*Quick tip: Pack your girl some flats to get down to the beach as the hill is very steep and will be nearly impossible to make it down in heels!

If you’d like a great restaurant spot that’s not too far, we love Asada Cantina + Kitchen!

03 – Buena Vista Park

Buena Vista Park Trail Engagement Session in Vista, California.

If you’re looking for a mountain overlook in North County, Buena Vista Park is a great option. You can hike to the top of the mountain at either sunrise or sunset and have gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. We have never seen it overly crowded and it our couples have loved it! View Tess & Mike’s engagement session at Buena Vista Park HERE!

04 – Batiquitos Lagoon

Batiquitos Lagoon couple session in Carlsbad, California.

Located in Carlsbad, Batiquitos Lagoon has many different background options for proposals. This spot is known for its trails, so while you can take a gorgeous stroll through the lagoon to start, we recommend doing the actual proposal in a more private area at the end of the trail off of Gabbiano Lane. Parking is free and simple, and the sun tucks perfectly behind the bridge. We are absolutely obsessed with this spot! Here is the address we use to park: 7380 Gabbiano Ln, Carlsbad, CA 92011.

05 – Lake Calavera

Lake Calavera family session in Carlsbad, California.

On the boarder of Carlsbad and San Marcos is Lake Calavera which holds San Diego’s own dormant volcano! It has many hiking trails and backdrop options for you to choose from, making it a gorgeous spot to propose. If you’re a hiker, there’s a stunning overlook at the top of the mountain. If not, there is a lake at the bottom with lush greenery with the mountain in the background. No matter which route you take, this spot is amazing and not very busy! We park off of Tamarack Avenue at the Lake Calavera Tamarack Ave Trailhead. Certain times of the year, there is gorgeous pink bonungavilla along the road! Here is a map for you:

Calavera Lake dropped pin for parking directions.

06 – Guajome Park

Guajome Park couple session in Oceanside, California.

Another amazing location for your proposal is Guajome Park in Oceanside, California. There is a beautiful lake, but our favorite spot is passed the official parking by the campgrounds. You can park for free off of Guajome Lake Road and you’ll see several trail options. You can go down by the woods or up on the desert hill. There are a lot of little spots that give you vastly different backdrop options within feet of each other. It’s really beautiful and not crowded! In the fall, you can capture colorful leaves!

07 – Woodland Park

With a quaint little pond and fountain, Woodland Park in San Marcos, California is a sweet little spot to propose. Palm trees line the water and there are several benches around the path for that special moment. You could plan a picnic, then go down by the pond to pop the question without there being numerous eyes on you. To celebrate, we recommend booking a reservation at The Bellows!

Woodland Park dropped pin location for engagement proposals in San Marcos, California.

While there are so many popular options in San Diego for proposals, we love that this list includes lesser known places so that your proposal’s memory is in a spot unique to you. It will be a location to take your kids to and to come back to for years to come! We hope this list of North County San Diego Proposal Spots was helpful in choosing a spot right for you. Wishing you all the luck and congratulations!!

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