Park Adventure

Park Adventures

Torrey Pines’ pristine wilderness offers a variety of trails that showcase dramatic ocean views, sandstone cliffs, and unique native flora. Whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll or a scenic workout, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers an unforgettable hiking experience along Southern California’s most stunning coastline. With most of the trails being under a mile in length, you’ll get a chance to explore all that we strive to protect!

If you have an hour, check out the Guy Fleming trail for a beautiful stroll through the Torrey Pine woodlands and along the coastal cliffs. Keep an eye out for dolphins and various sea bird species!

If you have half a day, stop by the Visitor Center/Museum to see taxidermized specimens of all the native wildlife that live in the Reserve. If time allows, pay a visit to our Trail Information Kiosk where knowledgeable docents can tell you more about the flora and fauna along the trails before you start a hike!

If you have a full day, park your vehicle at the lower South Beach lot and get a good workout walking up our park road. Take a breather at the Visitor Center, then make your way to the Beach Trail. If the tide is low enough, you can hike down to the beach and take a leisurely stroll back to your car.

Guided Hikes and Other Events:

  • Free docent-led hikes are held every Friday and Saturday mornings and nationally observed holidays at 10 a.m., weather permitting

  • Mindfulness walks are held on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Meets at the Visitor Center.

  • Docent-Led School Program:  Offered September through May of the school year: Tuesday and Thursday mornings, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day weeks.  More information on the reservation process is available on our School Groups page
  • Self-Guided Programs: facilitated independently by K-12th grade teachers and/or homeschool educators without the support of California State Park Staff. This program is available September - May: Mondays, Wednesdays, plus the 3rd and 4th Fridays of each month. Group size is limted to 70 students. Reservations are available here.
  • Screen-Free Kids Family Art Workshop: Join us for a creative, screen-free morning in nature as we kick off Screen-Free Week 2025. This special art workshop is designed for young children and their families to explore the beauty of the outdoors through hands-on artistic expression. Guided by experienced art educators, kids will engage in a variety of nature-inspired art activities at different stations, including:
    • Painting and printmaking with natural materials
    • Sensory art exploration
    • Earth and beach-inspired creations help I want to get out
    • For more information and registration, visit the Torrey Pines Conservancy website
  • Join us for Califronia State Parks week! From June 11th - 13th, the Torrey Pines Docent Society will be holding mindfulness walks with naturre-inspired yoga! This slow-paced walk will embody mindfulness practices and nature inspired asana such as “Torrey Pine Tree” pose so you can calm your mind while awakening your heart and spirit to this special Reserve. No experience, mat or props necessary. Regstration is required for these walks! Please visit the CA State Parks Events page for more information and regsitration. 
    • There is still time left to enter the State Parks Poster Contest! Thiss contest is open for Califronia residents currently enrolled in grades K-12. The last day to submit artwork is May 9th. More information is avialable at the California State Parks Week website

Trail maps:

 

Stay away from the bottom of the cliffs.

Rockslides and cliff collapses occur without notice. To increase safety, time your beach visit for low tide, when there is more sand available between the cliffs and the waves, which should help ensure you can keep a minimum distance of 10 feet from the bluffs.

image of collapsed bluff on the shore View on the beach from Friday, 4/18/25
Image of cracked rock on cliff face

Are there any rattlesnakes?   -    The answer is, "Yes!"

The 2 most common rattlesnakes you will see here are the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake and the Red Diamond Rattlesnake. The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake is the one you will most likely run into in the park. If you do see a rattlesnake while hiking, stop and wait until the snake leaves the area. It has most likely felt you coming from the vibrations you've made walking on the trail. If it doesn't leave, turn around and notify a park employee or volunteer. Snakes are more willing to leave you alone and find something more manageable to strike and eat (unless you try to take a selfie with it). On rare occasions, snakes do land on the beach having been pushed or fallen off the cliffs. Notify a park employee so that the snake can be returned to a more suitable location to live. Do not try to relocate or pick up the snake yourself.

Rattlesnake sign