How to Propose in San Diego: Romantic Marriage Proposal Ideas

Explore all proposal ideas

Nicholas & Rosie's Proposal Story in San Diego

How did you meet?

Friends/Family

Proposed in San Diego in February

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Katie in San Diego for Flytographer

Bob & Parisa's Proposal Story in San Diego

How did you meet?

School

Proposed in San Diego in April

Photo Shoot Location: Sunset Cliffs

Darian in San Diego for Flytographer

Travis & Amanda's Proposal Story in San Diego

How did you meet?

School

What is your love story?

Amanda and I met when we were sophomores in college. Amanda knew right away that I was meant for her and she was persistent on making me see it! I told her that I was young and unsure of whether or not I was ready to be in a relationship. I think I knew deep down that if we got together, we would never be apart again- I was right! We finally made it official and we have been together for eight years next month. I am so lucky to be with a woman who has always known what she wanted. I am even luckier that I am who she wanted to spend her life with!

What made you choose this proposal destination?

We have always loved the coast and, over 8 years, we have been to countless destinations. San Diego was somewhere we had spoken about, but hadn't yet traveled to. I had to make up a reason for taking the trip (so that the surprise would not be ruined) so I set an alert for San Diego flights and told her that I "randomly" got an email telling me tickets were on sale! The city was gorgeous and we cannot wait to go back.

What is your proposal story?

Amanda knew that we were going to San Diego, but I told her the rest of the trip would be a surprise. She has spent most of our relationship surprising me on birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays so I wanted to give her the same love and attention she has always shown me. We arrived in San Diego early Friday morning and spent the day walking on the beach and relaxing. At around 4pm, I told her the surprise had arrived, and we walked out to the dock where there was an Italian gondola ride waiting for us. We sipped champagne and told each other how lucky we feel to have found each other and to be so in love after almost a decade. She has always wanted to go to Italy, so I wanted to give her a taste of what our future holds! I told her the next surprise was a stop at the "best sunset in Coronado" and we went down the road to the Del Coronado beach. We saw many couples taking photos and celebrating their own relationships and it felt so nice to know we were already surrounded by love. I told her she needed to look at a boat in the distance and I got down on one knee. We both cried and I knew that our lives were forever more full.

Proposed in San Diego in February

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Darian in San Diego for Flytographer

Andrew & Ashley's Proposal Story in San Diego

How did you meet?

Bumble

What made you choose this proposal destination?

Wanted to do a surprise weekend to a destination we’ve never been too. Given the time of year, a beach vacation sounded fantastic, and was a quick flight from Denver. Found the Hotel del Coronado from recommendation of family.

What is your proposal story?

Ashley was expecting to drive back to Nebraska for a football game, and the morning we were leaving, I asked if she’d like to take a trip elsewhere. I told her to pack for San Diego, but didn’t tell her the hotel we’d be staying at until we pulled up. We went right to a bonfire on the beach and proposed as we finished and walked back to the hotel

Proposed in San Diego in October

Photo Shoot Location: Coronado Island Beach

Darian in San Diego for Flytographer

Ryan & Pamela's Proposal Story in San Diego

How did you meet?

School

What is your love story?

Pamela and I met during our college orientation, and started dating freshman year. 10+ years later, after much growth, many changes, and countless memories - here we are, finally getting engaged.

What made you choose this proposal destination?

It is one of our closest, most visited beaches living in San Diego. And while we're extremely lucky to call it a part of our regular routines, it's hard not to get taken aback by its beauty sometimes. Beach, cliffs, trails, flowers, the pier and the point in the background. Combined with sunset, it was kind of a no-brainer to do it there.

What is your proposal story?

Knowing it may be coming in the near-to-intermediate future, Pamela has been getting her nails done consistently for 6 months straight. However, doing some volunteer work last week she broke a few nails and decided not to get them done again (literally the first day or two she didn't have them perfect in months). On top of that, despite gorgeous days and sunsets all week, the weather began calling for a completely cloudy, potentially even rainy day. So I went from thinking I had the perfect plan to being committed to a cloudy/rainy Monday where she hadn't gotten her nails done. That morning, she decided she wanted to book a workout class during the time I was set to do it. And then even in the car on the way to do it, she figured out the restaurant we had made "fake plans" to be going to was closed on Mondays. Yet despite all of the hurdles and chances of ruining the surprise, I was able to surprise the one girls who has never been surprised in her life. And right as we did it, the sun cracked through the clouds and gave us one of the most incredible sunsets we've ever seen since moving here. Couldn't have been more perfect!

Best tip for proposing in San Diego

It's a great place to do it. So many stunning viewpoints either at the beaches, mountains, or trails. Pretty consistent weather, great sunsets. I'd pick your spot ahead of time, and scout it a week in advance as some of the more popular parks have outdoor activities on certain days of the week (i.e. mine had sunset yoga that took up a big part of the park so I had to plan to do it on one side of the park).

Proposed in San Diego in November

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Ella in San Diego for Flytographer

James & Jazmine's Proposal Story in San Diego

How did you meet?

Hinge

What made you choose this proposal destination?

Back we lived in San Francisco and were starting to date, the first trip that we ever took together was a weekend visit down to San Diego and Coronado. The trip went perfectly and we officially became a couple as a result. Now that we live in San Diego, I surprised Jazmine with a weekend stay in Coronado to revisit the place we first fell in love to memorialize it forever.

What is your proposal story?

Just before the proposal, Jazmine and I had talked about how we needed more nice photos of us, so it was the perfect cover when I told her I had hired a photographer for a photoshoot at our hotel in Coronado. We met Liz shortly before sunset and took some fun photos before setting up to pop the question.

Proposed in San Diego in October

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Liz in San Diego for Flytographer

Hunter & Paige's Proposal Story in San Diego

How did you meet?

School

Proposed in San Diego in September

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Ella in San Diego for Flytographer

James's Proposal Story in San Diego

How did you meet?

School

Proposed in San Diego in September

Photo Shoot Location: Coronado Island Beach

Martina M. in San Diego for Flytographer

Conner's Proposal Story in San Diego

What made you choose this proposal destination?

We were in San Diego because my fiancee was interviewing for a job. We took a few extra days to enjoy the city and I knew it was the perfect place to propose. I wasn't sure where I should propose; but our photographer, Jessica, worked with me to discover beautiful places in San Diego. She was great at offering many options and also provided me with an idea about how proposals she has shot in the past went in each place. Jessica's recommendations allowed me to select the perfect place to propose.

Proposed in San Diego in January

Photo Shoot Location: Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla

Jessica in San Diego for Flytographer

Kevin's Proposal Story in San Diego

What is your love story?

We met as friends of friends in NYC. For our first date we went to a trendy beer bar in the East Village and I kissed her afterward because... why not?

What made you choose this proposal destination?

Catherine is obsessed with the beach (hence the move to La Jolla). We had not been to the Scripps Pier yet, so it was an easy cover story for a stroll on the sand.

What is your proposal story?

Before going out Catherine was trying on dresses for dinner but had no idea I was about to propose on our beach stroll beforehand. She put on an outfit that I didn't love and knew she wouldn't be as excited about for the photos, so I had to find a way to "politely" tell her I didn't like it. You can imagine how that went over! We got to the beach and were walking along with Martina trailing (Catherine was oblivious). As soon as we got to a good spot with the pier in the background, I got out my phone and Martina approached us. I got down on one knee and proposed and Catherine said yes but then gave out this perfect candid laugh with her head thrown all the way back, which resulted in my favorite picture of the whole shoot!

Proposed in San Diego in August

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Martina M. in San Diego for Flytographer

Garrett's Proposal Story in San Diego

What is your love story?

Bryce and I met in Philadelphia after he finally agreed to go on a date :-) We had a great dinner and started talking more and more from there. As we started creating memories, smiles, laugh and tears together I started to realize he was the one. Bryce has a way to make you smile and laugh in even the worst of situations and he truly is a care-free spirit. After

What made you choose this proposal destination?

Bryce and I fell in love with San Diego on our first trip out there in September 2017. Since then, we have visited four other times and it has been our favorite spot to just getaway and enjoy a short vacation. Bryce recently purchased a bracelet that has the GPS coordinates for La Jolla cove etched into it. After hearing that he purchased this, my proposal destination was set!

What is your proposal story?

We went to La Jolla cove with my two younger brothers to show them around to the Sea lions on the rocks and the beautiful views of the cliffs and the ocean below. We walked over to Shell Beach to watch the sunset and I prepared a short poem to read to Bryce by the ocean. After finishing the poem I told him had a few more words to say and then I proposed! It went as smoothly as it could given my nervousness and I wouldn't change a thing about it!

Proposed in San Diego in September

Photo Shoot Location: Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla

Jessica in San Diego for Flytographer

Vince's Proposal Story in San Diego

What is your love story?

High School sweetheart

What made you choose this proposal destination?

First time vacationing to California and I heard San Diego was absolutely gorgeous!

What is your proposal story?

Took place on the rocks at La Jolla during sunset. Easy to find and a perfect place for pictures!

Proposed in San Diego in September

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Martina M. in San Diego for Flytographer