Best Spots in OC to Take IG Worthy Pics

As an Orange County gal, born and raised, I LOVE this town. For me, it’s where I grew up, where my family and friends are all from and live, and it’s just home. It’s familiar territory for me and I could probably never live anywhere else, except for maybe LA. But I lived in LA for a couple years (back in college) and found myself down south after I graduated! So it’s safe to say I know my way around this town and as a blogger I do sometimes struggle to shoot new and interesting content here because I feel like there aren’t nearly as many options as there are in a major city such as LA or NYC. But I’ve done a ton of research and after driving around countless times for shoots, I have my little list of favorite spots for IG worthy pics in OC. So here they are:

1. Laguna Beach: Looking at my feed, you probably wouldn’t think I shoot a lot of my photos in Laguna. When thinking of a beach city, many people think of palm trees with a very laid back casual style. But that’s not really my style and I still make Laguna work with my feed. My favorite spots to shoot are in Downtown Laguna and then further down south towards The Montage. The Montage is stunning and you will find plenty of spots for photos there. Make sure to get a shot of the famous pool! It’s gorgeous on a sunny day. Also, Castle Rock is a very popular spot in Laguna. I still need to make my way down there for a photoshoot because it’s a gorgeous backdrop! There are also some really cute houses in Laguna to shoot in front of so I definitely recommended driving around the neighborhoods as well. The homes have a lot of character and it’s always fun finding a cute home to take a pic in front of!
2. Lido Marina Village: Lido is one of my favorite spots in OC! It is a fairly new area in Newport with cute shops and restaurants such as Nobu, Zinqué, and coming soon, Malibu Farm. Lido Marina Village is located right along a harbor where you will find boats docked all around, making for a cute backdrop. The center also has cool outdoor furniture, cute streets, and little boutiques. There are a lot of great photo spots here! They also have a really cute coffee shop called Honors Coffee which is a nice spot to take photos as well.
3. Old Towne Orange: The name says it all, I love this area because you get all the old town vibes. Just walk around and you’ll see adorable little cafes, antique stores ALL over, and historical buildings. I’ve shot a few campaigns here, one was 70’s inspired so all the antique stores and brick walls helped, and the other was a holiday campaign which was perfect here because it gets so festive around the holidays. Love this spot!
4. Downtown Santa Ana: This is a great spot for photos if you’re looking for a city vibe. I have shot here many times and when I tell people this was shot in OC they never believe me! It can really look like DTLA if you find the right streets. There are also a lot of walls with murals and paintings which can give your photos an urban feel if that’s the vibe you’re looking for. I like to shoot by Bush street.
5. Newport Beach and Balboa Island: Another beach city in OC, Newport offers some cool spots, especially along the peninsula. There are great restaurants and shops all around and cute photo ops. 16th Street is a fav because you can find restaurants such as Cafe Gratitude and Haute Cakes Cafe, as well as Kit Coffee (which is one of my fav coffee shops in OC). Balboa Island is also a fun spot in Newport where you can find the Balboa Ferry, shopping, and restaurants. Lots of photo ops here as well!
6. The LAB Anti Mall and The Camp: These two centers are across from each other in Costa Mesa, close to South Coast Plaza. It’s very urban and full of character. It’s definitely not like anything you really see in OC. I like to compare it to a mini Melrose in LA to an extent because it has the grungy and urban feel. You can find some  coffee/tea shops here as well as little boutiques. It’s pretty small but there are definitely some spots for photos. I love going here whenever I need to stop by South Coast. Its super close by!
7. The Huntington Beach Pier & Pacific City: The pier is always a great spot for photos, especially if you’re going for that California cool vibe. The Ruby’s at the end of pier always adds a classic Cali touch to the photo as well! Steps away from the pier you can find Pacific City. This center opened up not too long ago but has some amazing shopping and restaurants. It kind of reminds me of the newly renovated Century City Mall. It’s a cool spot to hangout and you can definitely find some cute spots for a photo.
8. The OC Mix: This spot is also located fairly close to South Coast Plaza, I love to go here for any coffee meetings or lunch dates. They have cute spots to get coffee, acai bowls, and delicious food. This is a great spot to meet up with a friend and get a quick OOTD as well! They also have a ton of awesome furniture stores so if you like home decor, then this is the spot for you.

As an Orange County native, my love for this town runs deep, ingrained in the familiarity of where I grew up, surrounded by cherished family and friends. While its charm may seem limiting compared to larger cities like LA or NYC, I’ve curated a list of my favorite IG-worthy spots here that never fail to inspire captivating content. However, amidst my treasured local explorations, my mind often drifts to the allure of far-off lands, particularly the mesmerizing shores of Australia. As I delve into the beauty of its coastline, I’m captivated by the thought of pristine beaches, and Cronulla stands out as a beacon of beachside wonder. The idea of exploring its golden sands, dipping my toes into the azure waters, and experiencing the unique charm of Australian coastal life fills me with a sense of wanderlust and a yearning to embrace the unfamiliar. While I adore my OC haunts, the allure of international horizons, like those found in Cronulla, beckons with promises of new adventures and memories waiting to be made.

Taken in Laguna Beach

Taken in Lido Marina Village

Taken in Old Towne Orange

For all you OC peeps, I hope this post helps a bit! And let me know if I missed any spots you like shoot in OC. As always, thanks for reading!! xx, S