Find the best film and event venues for rent in San Diego, CA

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Top venues in San Diego, CA

Frequently Asked Questions about San Diego, CA venues

Have a question about venues in San Diego, CA?
  • What types of unique spaces can I rent in San Diego?
    San Diego provides countless unique venues you can rent, including urban terraces and beachfront villas. Converted warehouses, historic theaters, and yacht decks are also available for events and film/photo sessions. Many of these venues highlight the city's Spanish colonial architecture and offer breathtaking ocean views.
  • How much square footage do I need for my event or production?
    Plan for around 6 square feet for every guest to ensure they can move around with ease and comfort. Have a good estimate based on your needs; 1000 to 2000 square feet may be good for small events and projects, but you may have to look for a venue with over 2000 square feet for medium-sized or larger gatherings. Choose a location based on your guest list, equipment needs, and crew size. Some unique spaces also have adjustable layouts to fit different setups.
  • Which San Diego neighborhoods are best for unique rental spaces?
    La Jolla provides upscale coastal settings, while Gaslamp Quarter offers vibrant urban backdrops. Several historic structures are available for rent in Balboa Park, but if industrial elegance is what you seek, Barrio Logan can be the place to be. Take your time to explore the neighborhoods in the city to find a unique location that matches your vision.
  • What services can I expect from unique San Diego rental spaces?
    Although many unique event spaces in San Diego are quite unconventional, they have virtually everything that traditional venues offer like AV equipment, catering, and event planning services. For film and photo sessions, you’ll find places with makeup stations, changing rooms, and high-end camera and lighting equipment. Every venue is different, so discuss with the host about your specific needs.
  • Are permits required for events or shoots in San Diego's unique spaces?
    It depends mainly on the location, the nature of the shoot or event, and how large or impactful it will be. Most indoor activities don’t require permits or licenses, but if they take place on public property and are expected to draw a large crowd, you might need to secure a permit before going ahead with your event. Also, note that permits from the San Diego Film Office are often needed for filming, particularly in outdoor or public areas.
  • What is the price range for locations in San Diego?
    Booking prices vary with the property type, features, and rental length, but rates generally range from $25 to $3,967 per hour for spaces in San Diego.
  • What is the average hourly minimum for locations in San Diego?
    The average minimum booking time is 2 hours for locations in San Diego.
  • What are the most popular locations in San Diego?
  • How many locations are available for rent in San Diego?
    There are currently 202 locations available in San Diego.
  • Which location types are most popular in San Diego?
    San Diego is a popular spot for Photography Studio, Loft Studio and Event Space locations.
  • How many location types are available in San Diego?
    Right now, there are at least 42 of different types of locations in San Diego.
  • How do I book a San Diego location on Giggster?
    When you find the right venue, you can connect with the host to get additional info and work out the details. Once everything is all set, you can book and pay for the location in a couple of clicks. Learn more about booking locations.

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About San Diego

San Diego, CA, is an all-through beach city on the Pacific Ocean. The Californian city offers 70 miles of beach, from Mission Beach to North Park and the South Bay area. "America's Finest City" has the perfect event venue for your next occasion, whether yours is a private party, corporate event, or a production.

Beyond the picturesque San Diego beach areas, Rancho Santa Fe and East Village tuck away unique venues and attractions. The USS Midway Museum, the picturesque San Diego Bay, and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, a short drive from downtown San Diego and the historic Gaslamp Quarter, draw in scores of tourists. You’ll also find event spaces across Mission Bay and the greater San Diego area for birthday parties, weddings, product launches, concerts, festivals, and other social gatherings.

Sunny San Diego allows you to enjoy 260 pleasant days, pitching an outdoor space as the best setting for your next event. The humidity and ocean breeze create the perfect conditions to book a beachside event space or waterfront party venue in San Diego, CA for your forthcoming shindig.

Attractions in San Diego

When visiting San Diego, CA, whether for work or leisure, it’s important to be familiar with the city’s hotspots so that you can plan your activity during downtime. The good news is that America’s Finest City has plenty of entertainment options and outdoor exploration opportunities you can add to your schedule.

  • Balboa Park
    For those looking for something fun to do in San Diego, Balboa Park is an all-encompassing 1,400-acre venue that houses everything from green spaces and walking paths to museums, gardens, historic homes, musical theaters, and more. This vibrant park boasts brilliant and colorful displays of seasonal flowers, artworks, sports memorabilia, and exotic animal species. No matter your interest, the park has something to satisfy your thirst for adventure.

  • The San Diego Zoo
    Animal lovers will find a paradise at San Diego Zoo, a world-famous zoo within Balboa Park. It provides a home to a variety of local and exotic animals like giant pandas, rhinos, koalas, and even sloths. It also offers tours and Safari trips for guests to get up close and personal with their favorite African animals. The zoo is the perfect location to take the family and spend a day admiring the fascinating animals you won’t see in any other part of the city. San Diego Zoo is easily accessible, within minutes from the downtown core and near notable event venues like the San Diego Convention Center.

  • The Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
    You might have heard of the Battle of Midway, a major naval battle during WWII. The famous aircraft carrier that fought in the Pacific has since been turned into a museum displaying over 60 exhibits and 25 full-size aircraft. As the largest aircraft carrier in the Navy, this mammoth museum is a sight to behold. You can even take guided audio tours while you’re there.

  • Old Town State Historic Park
    The Old Town State Historic Park is not like other state parks you may have explored. This park takes visitors on a journey through San Diego’s history with recreated scenes from the 1800s. The Park was established to protect the historical structures that remained from a bygone era. Check out the Historic Plaza, which remains a special spot for historic activities. The visitor center is also a must-see, which is housed in the reconstructed Robinson-Rose home.

  • San Diego Museum of Art
    Nestled in the heart of the expansive Balboa Park, the San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) is a fine arts museum that will cultivate your curiosity and love for art. It features artworks that represent the city’s history and culture and permanent collection galleries that include American, European, and Asian sculptures and paintings. Some of the pieces on display even date as far back as 7,000 years. Besides the exhibitions, SDMA also hosts regular events, including art workshops, contemporary dance shows, virtual tours, and private events.

Production Locations in San Diego

A lot of work goes into planning any occasion, whether a photo or film shoot, stage play, podcast, or music recording. The film location, recording studio, or greenscreen space you choose impacts the creative work. Below are some of the production settings in San Diego, CA, from Mission Hills and Mission Valley to the Gaslamp Quarter.

  • Large Country Estates
    Most productions film home sequences in residential areas. San Diego has diverse neighborhoods with stately estates, such as this large country house on 28 acres. Sprawling grounds offer enough room to shoot entire movies and accommodate the cast, crew, and filming gear.

  • Shopping Centers
    Shopping centers market themselves as one-stop-shop solutions, and it also extends to the creative industry. Zombie genre fans will recall how most of the first season of “Fear the Walking Dead” unfolded in such a setting, with the escalators, storefronts, and multiple entrances providing settings for various thrilling sequences. Producers should stop by the unassuming shopping complexes in San Diego, CA when location scouting.

  • Studio Spaces
    San Diego's studio spaces allow content creators to work in professional settings with high-tech equipment. Most have speakers, microphones, lighting, and post-production suites. The controlled environment reduces the production time and limits external challenges filmmakers typically encounter working on on-location shoots. The versatile space can also host a private event like a listening party.

  • Gardens and Parks
    Besides miles of beach, lush parks and sprawling gardens make up the San Diego landscape, providing picturesque production settings. Most city parks are conveniently located near the city center and famous tourist spots. They increase the production quality by adding scenic features like monuments, walking paths, and historic buildings. Such an expansive private event space can host special occasions and photoshoots. Filmmakers should explore Centennial Park, which offers San Diego skyline views.

San Diego Event Venues and Meeting Spaces

San Diego offers state-of-the-art amenities and services, making event planning a breeze. The “City in Motion” has you covered, whether you want a charming event hall for a birthday party, a conference center for a private concert, or an awe-inspiring historic building for your next corporate event. Here are the unique event and meeting spaces in San Diego worth exploring:

  • Large Minimalist Event Space
    Space is king; whether for a private party, company function, or other social fathering. You want a usable space that can accommodate guests, such as this
    large minimalist event space. The 3,000-square-foot blank space can transform into a cocktail space for a party, wedding reception, company mixer, or other special event.

  • Breweries and Taprooms
    The event rooms in San Diego offer unique settings for special occasions. Your local restaurant can host small parties but you can make the gathering stand out, by booking a San Diego taproom or brewery. The event team offers all-inclusive packages to personalize the versatile spaces into uniquely decorated spaces for diverse occasions or personalize the experience through setting up a dance floor or offering guest pickups from the San Diego Airport.

  • Houses and Mansions
    Planning an intimate event requires a homely space. Perhaps you have investors or business prospects you want to impress over a corporate dinner or reconnect with loved ones or friends over a hearty meal. Elevate social or corporate events by hosting at a cozy party venue like one of the stately mansions in San Diego. The city’s residential areas have some of the best venues, from Victorian and Spanish Revival homes to Mid-century modern styles and classic farmhouses.

Explore San Diego's off-beaten path by booking less-known sites for your production or forthcoming occasion. You'll identify a unique event venue based on location, amenities, space, and accessibility.