Shelter Island · San Diego
Bali Hai Restaurant
Iconic Polynesian waterfront restaurant with sweeping San Diego Bay views — tiki-inspired, tropical, and timeless
Technical Specs
What you need to know before booking
Recommended Setup
Where we place the booth
Best Booth Types for This Venue
Don't bring a backdrop here. Set the booth up on the outdoor patio under the stairs, angle it so the bay is visible behind guests, and let the view do the work. We've taken some of our best photos at this venue simply by letting the location speak for itself. Guests love it and the photos are instantly recognizable as San Diego.
Our Full Guide
Everything we know about Bali Hai Restaurant
Bali Hai is one of those venues that makes guests feel like they’re somewhere special the moment they walk in — and that energy comes through in every photo. After 28 events here since 2013, it’s one of our most-requested San Diego locations.
The outdoor patio is where the magic happens. Set up under the stairs, guests naturally flow through that area between cocktails and dinner, and the San Diego Bay sitting right behind them makes for photos you simply can’t replicate anywhere else in the city. We’ve learned over the years to skip the printed backdrop entirely here — no fabric print is going to compete with that view.
Indoor events work beautifully too. The warm Polynesian-inspired interior gives photos a rich, intimate feel, and power access is reliable throughout the venue. Load-in is one of the easiest in San Diego — parking is right there, everything is flat access, and the staff know how to work with vendors.
The Bali Hai team is genuinely friendly and experienced with events. They’ll point you to the right spot, make sure you have what you need, and stay out of your way so you can focus on your guests.
Whether you’re planning a waterfront wedding, a corporate cocktail reception, or a milestone celebration, Bali Hai consistently delivers one of the best photo booth experiences in San Diego.