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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Torrey Pines State Preserve San Diego |
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Torrey Pines State park is
a beautiful wilderness reserve nestled in San Diego County.
If you are a nature lover, it’s one of the wildest
stretches of land left on the Southern California coast!
With over 2,000 acres of untouched land, the reserve has
long stretches of beachfront, and an amazing lagoon which
is home to migrating birds. Visitors come from all over the globe to witness the California coast as it was before development. First observed by Spanish sailors in the 1500s, those explorers used it as a map mark and labeled it as “Punta de los Arboles” or “Wooded Point” based on its amazing landscape of trees. Those trees were identified in the mid 1800s as a unique species of pine that grows only along a small strip of coast from Del Mar to La Jolla and on Santa Rosa Island. The Torrey Pine is the rarest pine in the United States and one of the rarest pines in the world. The reserve features varied terrain. The sand and clay beaches and lagoons that were present fifty million years ago have evolved into sandstone. As sea levels rose and fell over the last million years, steps and gouges have been cut into the rock and make for a breathtaking landscape. The formations provide a geological look into the evolution of the region. Those steps have produced natural platforms for visitors and hikers to stand and observe. The hiking trails wind through these terraces, and along the way you will witness wind formed trees, and wildflowers which vary by season. The sandstone formations and the sea below the steps can be observed from the trail. |
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One of the most
scenic trails starts near the main entrance from the Coast
Highway, and rises three hundred feet in under a mile. It
has become the most popular walking and hiking route for visitors.
Many
sections of the trails parallel the bluff edge and are excellent
sites for observing the yearly migration of the Gray Whales
and the dolphins that swim the shores year round. Many visitors have observed leopard sharks swimming beneath the sea surface. Artists and photographers are known to frequent the Reserve, capturing the changing landscape. The Canyon Rim Overlook and the Elfin Trail are two more routes to consider. The Broken Hill and Beach Trails close in bad weather so check the forecast ahead of time if these trails are in your plans. Other trails sometimes close for soil preservation, but with over eight miles of hiking trails there is always plenty to explore. An adobe structure built by over 75 years ago by some of the native tribes still stands and is in use as a Visitor Center and museum. Many exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Reserve and region are available year round. On Weekends and holidays, nature walks are hosted twice a day at 10 AM and 2 PM. Group and field trips can be arranged call ahead for details and scheduling. Park volunteers go out of their way to make your visit an unforgettable one, so don’t be afraid to ask for information or advice. The Visitor Center is open 9 AM to 6 PM during summer, and 10 AM to 4 PM during winter. The offices for the Rangers and volunteers studying the preserve are located close by. |
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No food or drink other than
water is allowed on the trails, due to environmental concerns.
Please eat a good meal before visiting as the trails can work
up quite an appetite. Picnics are permitted on the beach only.
Please observe these rules and help maintain the natural beauty
of these surroundings. Parking is available onsite for a small fee. Groups visiting by bus must pay additional parking. General admission to the reserve is $10, with seniors and the disabled eligible for a discount. Season passes are available as well. The Reserve closes at approximately sunset. Currently gates now close at 7:30 PM. all vehicles must leave by the closing time each day. The Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located between La Jolla and Del Mar, California, just north of San Diego. Travel form Orange County will take about two hours, add a half hour to that if coming from Los Angeles. Visitors from the Los Angeles should set aside time for a three hour drive. Lodging is available locally if you are planning a weekend trip. |
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