Oh Sweet Summer! Hiking Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

When it heats up here in Southern California, we head to the beach! One of our favorite summer hikes is on the trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Known as one of only two places our nation's rarest pine, the Torrey Pine or Pinus Torreyana grows, the park boasts 2,000 acres of a fragile and unique coastal environment. In addition to the park preserving the Torrey Pine, it also preserves one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California. The reserve has multiple trail options ranging from easy to moderate, but all the trails have amazing views of the Pacific ocean. Trail features include steep and dramatic cliffs, stunning views of the ocean, twisted pine trees, and an Adobe visitor center that was built in 1923. Flowers are abundant in the Spring, and you might sight an Osprey if you're lucky.
Torrey Pines State Beach lies below the Reserve and is accessible by trail. Our favorite route is to head up to the Reserve first and explore all the trails before descending down to the beach for some relaxing in the soft sand. These trails are very popular and are packed in the summertime, especially on weekends. If you're looking for a more solitary experience, go in the off season and during the week. It is a different kind of beauty in the wintertime (although trails may close if it is raining to preserve them). 
Make sure to pack water and sunscreen. No food is allowed in the reserve so plan to have your snacks before or after your hike. Enjoy your hike and don't forget to practice Leave No Trace on all trails. 

Park Address:
12600 N. Torrey Pines Road 
San Diego, CA 92037

Operating Hours: Gates open at 07:15 am and close at Sunset.
The Visitor Center opens daily at 9:00AM.
The reserve is a day-use park only. There is no overnight camping at this facility.

General Admission Day Use fee is $10-$25 per vehicle (demand based pricing) or a valid annual California State Parks Vehicle Day Use Pass.  Camping is not permitted at Torrey Pines. Pay at the Automated Pay Machine located near the entrance or west end of the parking lot if no staff person is in the kiosk.
Winter Weekdays: Hourly rates are available at North Beach lot.
Note: Recreational vehicles longer than a standard parking spot are allowed only in the North Beach lot.

Trail Maps:
https://torreypine.org/reserveinfo/trails/

Park Rules:

• Stay on trail – Walking off trail causes erosion, tramples plants and frightens wildlife.
• No pets – Dogs frighten wildlife and their waste causes nesting animals to abandon their young.
• No food in the reserve – Help keep our animals wild and healthy by picnicking only at the beach.
• No alcohol
• No drones – To Prevent possible resource damage from accidents and to avoid frightening animals.
• No picking/collecting natural features – Pinecones and flowers must be left to produce seeds to grow new plants. It also allows fellow visitors to enjoy the fauna.
• No smoking/open flames – Torrey Pines has a high fire danger. The plants found here are dry and flammable.
• No amplified music – Respect your fellow hikers and enjoy the sounds of nature while in the reserve.

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