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 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Meets at the Guy Fleming Trail.
-
Private Docent-led Hikes (Special Walks): Any organized group of 20 people or more who will be hiking or visiting the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve are required to apply for a docent guided hike. You can arrange for a customized fee-based Docent-guided hike (Special Walk) for a group up to 70 people. For more information, visit our Permits/Special Events page.
- Docent-Led School Program: Offered October 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 School Programs: facilitated independently by K-12th grade teachers and/or homeschool educators without the support of California State Park Staff. This program is available October - May on Wednesday mornings, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day weeks. Group size is limted to 70 students. Reservations will beceome available here.
- Self-guided Group Hikes (15+ people): In-advance reservations are required to visit the park at least 15 days before the proposed date. These groups hike independently under the direction of their leaders and are expected to acquaint themselves with the Reserve’s rules before the trip. The length of this program is open-ended, Monday-Friday only, with a preferred start time in the afternoon to avoid conflict with the younger school groups.
Reservation requests can be made through the TPSNR Group Reservation Request form and sent to the Torrey Pines email address: torrey.pines@parks.ca.gov
The $25 fee can be paid by check or through PayPal listed on the request form. The fee covers administration costs and, as a courtesy, includes parking. Approved groups will receive parking pass(es) at the entrance kiosk.
Trail maps:
Looking for a Challenge?
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is part of the chaparral biome, a semi-arid region with very little rainfall each year, approximately 9-11 inches, and lots of evaporative sunshine. How do plants survive these environmental challenges?
The Leaf Challenge, located east of the Lodge or Visitor Center on the Discovery Trail, presents a perfect learning opportunity!
The Leaf Challenge guides participants on a 14-station quest, filled with sensory interactions, probing questions, and newly-discovered understandings.
-
Anyone can participate in this activity. It’s not only a great undertaking for a science-related field trip with two quizzes included: one at station 7 and the other at station 14. Individuals, filled with curiosity about the world in which they live, will be able to link the significant connection between humans and their surrounding environment. Since each station can be completed individually or in conjunction with other stations, time will never be a deterrent from an enjoyable experience. You can complete one, two or three stations each time you visit the reserve.
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.
View on the beach from Friday, 4/18/25
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.
