Sunglasses, check! Flip flops, check! Sunscreen, check! Camera, double check! Whether you’re bringing the family to San Diego for the first time, or returning for another round of fun, there are lots of iconic family photo spots to capture special moments and to enjoy for years to come. We’re talking one-of-kind San Diego-centric places you’ll want to remember forever – beautiful sandy white beaches, feeding the dolphins at SeaWorld, standing next to an F/A-18 Hornet on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum, or getting up close to Mary, a 9,000 pound elephant also known as “the boss lady” at the San Diego Zoo.

With so many of the nation’s best photo ops in one place, how do you find them all? If you like walking tours, Snap Photo Tours can take you to some of San Diego’s top places to photograph including Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter and Coronado. Not only will you learn about the history of these places, but they’ll teach you how to get better shots with your camera. Or you can try San Diego Photography Tours. They offer walking and shuttle tours of hidden gems in San Diego with experienced professional photographers who know the best vantage points and best time of day for the best shots.

But sometimes, the most memorable family photos are captured when you strike out on your own, with kids in tow and a smart phone camera in hand.