The following is part of a series featuring a leader in the plein air painting community who will be joining us on the faculty of Watercolor Live, a virtual art conference taking place January 26-28, 2023, with a Beginner’s Day on January 25.
7 Plein Air Painting Places in San Diego
by Gabriel Stockton
gabrielstocktonfineart.com
San Diego is a city that offers an abundance of beautiful places to paint and sketch outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to enjoy the sunset or want to explore the beaches by day, these seven locations are perfect for any artist who wants to experience nature’s beauty in all its glory.
1. La Jolla
La Jolla Shores is a great place to paint. The beach has a variety of subjects (sea lions, rocks, lifeguard towers, and more), and it’s especially a beautiful place to paint in the morning.
2. Balboa Park
Balboa Park (east of downtown) is one of the most popular locations for outdoor painting in San Diego, and it’s easy to see why. It was founded in 1868 as a park to celebrate the opening of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (or “World’s Fair”). It has been designated as a National Historic Landmark District and is home to many museums, gardens, and monuments.
Nearby is also the San Diego Zoo, where you can see a cheetah, hippo, red panda, and including lions!
3. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is a popular place to paint outdoors. It has been preserved to look like it did in the 1800s when it was first built. The area boasts many old buildings and lots of interesting subjects for painting, including waves of visiting tour bus groups. If you happen to forget any of your art supplies, the Blick art store is nearby in Little Italy.
4. Point Loma / Sunset Cliffs National Park
Sunset Cliffs is a national park in San Diego. It has a great view of the city and ocean, making it a great place for plein air painting. It’s an ideal location to paint while looking at the sunset over the ocean and historical homes. A little south, you have tide pools that are magical in the morning and two amazing lighthouses.
5. Oceanside Harbor
This harbor is known for its quaint iconic lighthouse, where you can also enjoy the beach while on your painting adventure. The harbor has plenty of space for artists to set up easels or relax with a fresh seafood lunch or dinner. There are many different types of boats that provide your painting inspiration during the day as well as colorful fishermen in their orange or yellow gear coming and going out of the harbor. The oceanside pier is also not too far for a picturesque painting of historic value.
6. Torrey Pines / Del Mar Lagoon
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers a variety of beach landscapes and ocean views. There are many trails to explore, so you can create your own path through the park and see what opportunities are available. The park also has plenty of open spaces for plein air painting, so you can set up camp out in the open air with no worry about rain or snow. Just off to the east, ducks and herons populate the lagoon.
This location is ideal for beginners (and experienced artists, of course) because it’s easy to access and there are plenty of places to get started painting as soon as possible, and there’s plenty of wildlife.
7. The Temecula Valley Wineries
The many wineries in this area offer beautiful views of the valley. If you’re looking for an outdoor venue that’s easy on your wallet and doesn’t require much planning ahead of time, then this might be just what you need! The Temecula Valley Wineries have free parking available on-site, but if it’s full during peak season (which can happen), there are plenty of other options nearby, such as the Bernardo Winery.
Conclusion
With so many beautiful places in San Diego, you can walk or ride your bike and find something new to paint. If you’re looking for a way to get some exercise while painting outdoors, then consider visiting one of the following locations: Balboa Park, Old Town San Diego, Sunset Cliffs, Mission Beach, Mission trails, Torrey Pines, and Temecula Valley Wines.
Be sure to join me on Beginner’s Day at Watercolor Live as I share my selected supplies for plein air painting.
See you there!
Gabriel Stockton
Visit EricRhoads.com to find out all the amazing opportunities for artists through Streamline Publishing, including:
– Online art conferences such as Plein Air Live
– New video workshops for artists
– Incredible art retreats
– Educational and fun art conventions, and much more.
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