Hiking Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve provides some of the best hiking opportunities in the city of San Diego. This is our guide to Hiking Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
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Overview
In 1959, a large area of San Diego was set aside as a 2, 000 acres state park, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. This area is named for the rare Torrey Pine trees which are only found here and on the secluded Santa Rosa island off of Santa Barbara. The reserve is accessed from the Torrey Pines State Beach South parking lot. When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, Torrey Pines was closed down for six months. In October 2020, all the hiking trails were reopened. This includes the newly remodeled Broken Hill Trail. Fun Diego Family is taking this opportunity to revisit Torrey Pines and its hiking opportunities. Our full guide to the area is also being updated. The focus here is on the hiking opportunities in Torrey Pines. https://fundiegofamily.com/san-diego-fun/san-diego-activities/san-diegos-torrey-pines-state-natural-reserve-and-state-beaches/ NOTE: As of October 2020, the visitors’ center at Torrey Pines remains closed. We will do our best to update the latest conditions. Also note after rains many trails are closed to prevent erosion. Check here for the latest conditions.
Parking and Cost
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve has paid parking. The parking fee varies by year but ranges from $12 to $20 per vehicle (more in summer and on weekends). It was $15 mid-week in October 2020 and $20 on the weekend starting on Friday. There is a lower level lot and a smaller upper level parking lot by the visitor’s center. The upper level lot allows easy access to the trails, but it can fill up on busy days making lower level parking the only option. From the lower level parking lot it is about 0.8 miles to the visitor’s center and most of the trails in the preserve. The issue is it is about 300 feet uphill. This was often a showstopper when we had young children. Note there is also a beach parking lot for North Torrey Pines State Beach off of Carmel Valley Rd which is usually several dollars cheaper. There is also free parking along Carmel Valley Rd about a mile walk from Torrey Pines. This will add two miles to any overall hike and also requires the 300-foot climb to the visitor’s center. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is part of the California State Park system. California offers an annual day pass to most of its state parks for $195. We invest in this pass for easy access to Torrey Pines and the many state beaches in San Diego. However, this is an expensive investment for anyone that is not going to state parks on a regular basis (we go several times a month).
Main Trail Overview
There are over 8-miles of hiking trails in the reserve. Many trails had been going under remodeling. As of October 2020 all of the trails have reopened, including Broken Hill Trail. The official trail guide can be found here: https://torreypine.org/home-2-2/reserveinfo/trails/ We have done hikes on all the trails and continue to update the trails on a regular basis. The main trails include:
- Guy Fleming Trail: A short 2/3 mile loop that goes out to two scenic overlooks high above the Pacific Ocean. There is a small parking lot by the trail entrance (about 10 parking spots).
- Parry Grove Trail: A half-mile loop that goes down a stone staircase with 100 steps. The trail starts from the Whitaker Garden which focuses on native plants.
- Red Butte, Razer and Yucca Point: We have combined Red Butte, Yucca Point Trail and Razer Point into a single 2-mile hike that has moderate elevation gain. Note as of October 2020 both Yucca Point and Razer Point are closed due to erosion.
- Razer Point Trail: This is a 2/3 mile hike to Razer Point Overlook. It is a good way to get great views with only moderate elevation change.
- Yucca Point Trail: This short trail splits off from either Beach Trail or Razer Point Trail. It is short walk to an overlook similar to Razer Point.
- Red Butte: Red Butte is about half a mile from the visitor center along a flat trail. Kids love climbing on Red Butte which has some of the best views in the park.
- Beach Trail: This is a ¾ mile trail that goes down 300 feet to the beach from Red Butte. At the bottom of the trail is Flat Rock, a prime spot for tide pools during low tide.
- South Fork and Broken Hill Overlook: South Fork Trail has been remodeled as an ADA accessible trail. At the end of South Fork there is a short trail out to Broken Hill Overlook with some great views. This also connects with Broken Hill Trail.
- North Fork and Broken Hill Trail: North Fork and Broken Hill Trail were closed for several years for restoration. They are now open. From North Fork it is about 0,8 miles to the beach at Flat Rock.
- ADA Accessible Trails and Visitor Center: Torrey Pines has built several ADA accessible trails by the visitor center
- High Point Overlook: This is a short climb by the visitor center up stairs to the highest point in the park.
Recommended Hikes
Generally, when visiting Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve we like to combine trails into longer hikes. These are links to some of our favorite hikes. NOTE: In October 2020 Torrey Pines fully reopened after being closed for 6 months due to the COVID-19 situation. In addition, the new Broken Hill and North Fork Trail have reopened. We are in the process of mapping out new hikes so check back on a regular basis.
4-Mile Lower Parking Lot Loop
This 4-mile hike starts from the lower parking lot and heads up to the visitor center. From the upper visitor center parking lot Beach Trail heads down to the ocean past Red Butte and Yucca and Razer Point. From the ocean by Flat Rock the loop is completed by heading back along the beach. This is a great option when the upper parking lot is full.
Broken Hill South Fork or North Fork
This hike starts from the upper parking lot and heads down Broken Hill Trail via either the South Fork or North Fork Trail. There is the option to check out Broken Hill Overlook. Doing the hike via North Fork Trail is about 2.5 miles. South Fork Trail with Broken Hill Overlook is 3 miles. The loop is completed by heading up Beach Trail to the upper parking lot. Note, you can do this hike from the lower parking lot by following the 4-mile hike but head down to the beach via Broken Hill Trail. This is a 5-mile loop.
Guy Fleming and Parry Grove Trail
The entrance to Guy Fleming Trail has its own parking lot. However, it only has room for about 10 cars. Parry Grove Trail is easily accessible from the upper parking lot. However, the upper parking lot is often full. One of our favorite hikes is to access Guy Fleming and Parry Grove Trail from the lower parking lot. This requires hiking about 300 feet and 3/4 of a mile up to Parry Grove Trail (passing Guy Fleming Trail on the way). Hike Parry Grove Trail and head back down the road to Guy Fleming Trail. The Guy Fleming loop is about 2/3 of a mile. The total hike is 2 to 3 miles and can be combined with the visitor’s center and High Point Overlook.
8-Mile Torrey Pines and Black’s Beach
This is a hike for the grownups. Not only is it 8-miles but it goes through the notorious nude section of Torrey Pines at Black’s Beach. Note this hike is best done in the cooler winter months when there is likely to be little if any nudity.
Torrey Pines Extension Overview
Torrey Pines Natural Reserve has a little-known extension about a mile from the main entrance. This extension is about 200 acres and was established in 1970. It is inland off of Del Mar Scenic Parkway. There is free street parking that usually does not fill up. Parking can be found on Del Mar Scenic Parkway or Carmel Valley Road. Some trails are also accessed on the other side of the extension off of Del Mar Heights Rd at the end of Mira Montana Dr and Mar Scenic Dr. Trails in the Torrey Pines Natural Reserve Extension include: Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Trail and Mar Scenic Trail (combined as one hike) Margaret Fleming Nature Trail and Red Ridge Trail (combined as one hike)
Where to Stay
Via car, Torrey Pines is convenient to almost any location in San Diego. Torrey Pines is right off the I-5 freeway at the Carmel Valley Road exit. The park is located near the UTC-area of La Jolla by the University of California-San Diego. There are three resorts within walking distance of Torrey Pines that sit on the bluff overlooking Black’s Beach by the golf course. The Lodge at Torrey Pines is right on the golf course
- Check Prices for the Lodge at Torrey Pines on Booking.com
- Check Prices for the Lodge at Torrey Pines on HotelsCombined
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, a resort style hotel next to the golf course
- Check Prices for Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, on Booking.com
- Check Prices for Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines on HotelsCombined
Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa is across from UCSD and next to the Salk Institute. This is a longer walk, about a mile from Torrey Pines but near the Gliderport.
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