Mori Point is my backyard — I live in Pacifica, and I've photographed this coastline in every kind of light and fog. So when Kristen & Sean wanted somewhere dramatic but not crowded, I knew exactly where to take them.


We started at the Rockaway Beach parking lot and hiked up the trail toward the highest point on the ridge between Rockaway and Mori Point. Most visitors stop at the well-known Mori Point overlook; almost nobody continues to this upper spot — which is a shame for them and a gift for us, because from up there you get a full 360° panorama: the Pacific stretching to the horizon on one side, the green Pacifica hills rolling on the other, and the coastline curving away beneath your feet.


Yes, it takes a bit of hiking — maybe thirty minutes with the photo stops we made along the way (and we made plenty; the whole trail is gorgeous). But the payoff is an engagement session location that feels completely private, completely wild, and unmistakably Northern California.


As a Pacifica local, this is the kind of spot I love sharing with couples: better than the famous viewpoint, six minutes past where everyone else stops.

 

A golden retriever sniffs a small flower held by a person sitting on grass in warm sunset light.
Couple embracing at sunset, woman showing diamond engagement ring on her hand resting on man's shoulder.
Couple embracing on a beach at sunset with a dog nearby, waves crashing in the background.
Couple in wedding attire standing on rocky coastal cliffs with ocean waves crashing below at golden hour.
Couple embracing romantically on rocky coastal cliffs at sunset with ocean waves and mountains in background.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss on a beach at sunset, embracing each other near the ocean shore.
Black and white photo of a couple in wedding attire petting a golden retriever dog outdoors near coastal cliffs.
A couple embraces on a coastal cliff at sunset with their golden retriever dog nearby.
Person training a golden retriever dog on a coastal cliff at sunset with ocean in the background.
Couple embraces on coastal cliff at sunset with dog and ocean waves in background.
Couple embracing and spinning joyfully on a beach at dusk with ocean waves behind them.
Wooden keepsake box engraved with I'll go anywhere with you resting among wildflowers.
Two people and a dog run along a scenic beach shoreline at sunset.
Couple sitting on hillside at sunset with their golden retriever dog.
Two people and a golden retriever sit on a coastal cliff watching a stunning ocean sunset together.
Couple sitting together on a grassy hillside at dusk with their golden retriever dog.
Black and white photo of a couple standing on coastal cliffs at sunset, ocean waves shimmering in the background.
Person and dog standing on coastal cliffside at golden hour sunset with ocean and rocky island in background.
Two people doing handstands on a sandy beach with ocean waves and rocky coastline in golden sunlight.
A smiling couple sits on a grassy hill at sunset with a happy golden retriever dog beside them.
Couple walking on golden coastal cliffs at sunset with ocean views.
A couple shares a romantic sunset kiss on a beach, bathed in warm golden light.
Couple and dog running on a misty beach at dusk, motion blur capturing a romantic twilight moment by the ocean waves.
Smiling couple touching foreheads in a romantic golden hour moment outdoors.
Couple and golden retriever dog relaxing on coastal cliff hillside at golden hour sunset overlooking ocean.
Couple sitting on grassy cliff at sunset petting a happy golden retriever with ocean view in background.
Romantic couple sharing a tender moment on a coastal cliff at sunset with ocean views.
Couple shares romantic sunset kiss on coastal cliffside with dog, overlooking vast ocean horizon.
Black and white photo of a couple kissing outdoors by the ocean with their golden retriever dog sitting in front of them.
Smiling couple posing between rocky formations outdoors, man in glasses and vest, woman in yellow dress.
Couple sharing a romantic dip kiss on a dark beach at twilight with a dog nearby.
Laughing couple looks at lottery tickets spread on outdoor table in black and white engagement photo.
Man holds woman from behind as dog sits nearby on grassy coastal cliff in black and white photo.
Bride and groom running up a dirt path at sunset with a dog, captured in a candid outdoor wedding photo.
Couple in elegant attire playing with a dog in a sunlit golden field with hills in the background.
Couple running with golden retriever on dirt path through golden fields with mountain backdrop at sunset.
A couple kisses their happy golden retriever dog outdoors in warm natural light.
Couple dancing at sunset on coastal cliffside with golden retriever in foreground, ocean and cliffs in background.
Happy man in glasses and olive jacket embracing woman at sunset by the ocean.
Black and white photo of a smiling couple sitting on grass with a golden retriever dog lying beside them.
Couple running through golden coastal cliffs at sunset, with ocean waves and rocky shoreline in the background.
Black and white photo of couple sharing a tender kiss on a beach by the water.
Couple camping on coastal cliffs at golden sunset with ocean waves below.
Black and white photo of a couple embracing on a rocky coastal cliff with ocean waves in the background.