If you’re newly engaged—or planning to propose and pop the question—Santa Barbara offers some of the most breathtaking beach locations to help you mark the moment. With its golden light, relaxed vibe, and natural beauty, it’s no wonder couples from all over choose this coastline for their engagement or proposal photos. As a local engagement photographer, I’ve explored nearly every stretch of sand in the area—and I’m sharing my top recommendations to help you find the perfect setting for your session.


1. Miramar Beach (Montecito)


Nestled below the Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel, Miramar Beach is an iconic Santa Barbara engagement session location. What makes it special is the variety of backdrops within walking distance: ivy-covered walls, a charming blue-green barn door, bougainvillea-lined paths, and of course, the classic stretch of sand framed by beach bungalows and swaying palms. It’s incredibly versatile and always photographs beautifully—especially in the late afternoon golden light.

2. East Beach (Santa Barbara)


East Beach offers that quintessential Santa Barbara feel—wide open sand, mountain views, and tall palm trees dotting the shoreline. The light is especially dreamy at sunset, with plenty of space to roam. It’s an ideal choice if you’re drawn to backlit photos with lots of movement and a relaxed, carefree vibe. Keep in mind, there’s minimal shade, but that just adds to the sun-drenched magic.

3. Bacara Beach (Goleta)


Tucked below the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, this beach feels like a hidden gem. With dramatic cliffs and natural rock formations, it’s perfect for couples looking for a more adventurous or editorial-style engagement session. The light here can be absolutely breathtaking—especially if we catch the sunset just right.

4. Santa Barbara Breakwater or Wharf


If you’re up for something a little more playful or urban, the Breakwater or Santa Barbara Wharf can be a fun twist. Picture walking hand-in-hand along the harbor, sharing a laugh on the pier, or stealing a kiss under the flags. These areas do tend to be a bit more crowded, so they’re best for couples who don’t mind a little extra energy in the background.

Your Seamless Engagement Session Experience


Once you book your engagement session with me, I’ll walk you through every detail—from choosing the perfect time and location to outfit planning and tips for feeling relaxed in front of the camera. My goal is to make the experience stress-free and fun, so you can focus on celebrating this exciting moment in your lives.


Whether you’re dreaming of windswept hair at Miramar or golden-hour romance at Bacara, I’ll help you capture your love story in a way that feels natural, connected, and true to you.

Ready to plan your beach engagement session in Santa Barbara? Let’s chat and start creating something beautiful together.

A romantic proposal scene on a scenic beach with mountains in the background and blue skies above.
A beach proposal scene with someone kneeling in the sand presenting a ring during a romantic shoreline moment.
A couple sharing a romantic moment during a beachside proposal with waves and blue sky in the background.
Couple sharing joyful moment on sandy beach with ocean coastline in background.
A couple shares a tender moment on the sandy beach with waves and coastal homes in the background.
A couple sharing a special moment together on a sunny beach with coastal homes visible in the background.
Two people in casual attire smile while looking at their phones together on a sunny beach.
Two people share an emotional moment while standing on a sunny beach with waves and blue sky in the background.
A couple shares a joyful moment during what appears to be a proposal on a sunny beach with ocean waves in the background.
Two people enjoying a sunny day together while walking along the beach shore with mountains in the background.
A couple shares a romantic kiss on a scenic beach shoreline with gentle waves and blue skies in the background.
A couple stands embracing on a sunny beach with waves and blue sky in the background.
Two people celebrating joyfully on a sunny beach with waves and ocean in the background.
A couple laughs together while standing on a sunny beach with rolling waves and white sand beneath their feet.
A couple walking hand in hand on a sunny beach with coastal homes and buildings visible in the background.
Two people in wedding attire embrace on a sunny beach with buildings visible along the coastline.
A romantic couple embraces and kisses on a sunny beach with palm trees and ocean waves in the background.
A couple walks together along a sunny beach in California with beachfront homes visible in the background.
A couple walks together along a sunny beach holding hands while wearing casual clothing.
A couple walking together along a sunny beach shoreline wearing casual clothing and enjoying the coastal view.