Group hike and public walk inquiries:
At this time, staff is unable to schedule any group hikes or field trips due to Resevre closure. Our team is working hard to bring beach walks and other programs to Torrey Pines State Beach (North & South). Stay tuned for updates regarding group hikes in the Extension.For any questions, please contact torrey.pines@parks.ca.gov.
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 one hour… hike down to the beach and stop at Razor Point and Yucca Point Overlooks to spot dolphins.
If you have half a day… visit the Visitor Center/Museum to see taxidermized specimens of native wildlife. If time allows, stop by the Trail Information Kiosk where knowledgeable docents can share more about flora and fauna before you start hiking!
If you have a full day… park at the South Beach lot and get a good workout walking up Park Road. Break off to hike an easy loop around the Guy Fleming Trail, then take a breather at the Visitor Center before heading to the Beach Trail. If the tide is low, hike down to the beach and enjoy a relaxing stroll back to your car.
If you are looking for accessible activities… explore the Discovery Trail with views of Los Peñasquitos Lagoon, visit the Ellen Browning Scripps Overlook, and enjoy the native plant garden along the way. A beach wheelchair is available for use at Torrey Pines North Beach. Check out the wheelchair at the South Beah entrance kiosk.
Guided Hikes and Other Events:
Guided Beach walks: Meet at the South Beach stairs and stroll 1-2 miles of shoreline whie we chat about beach safety, local wildlife, geolgy, and whatever the tide brings in! Check our News and Events calendar for weekly meeting times.
Mindful walks: Meet at the Torrey Pines Extension Trails every Sunday at 9 a.m. for a guided journey designed to help you slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with nature on a deeper level. Led by a knowledgeable docent, this gentle walk encourages mindfulness—tuning into the sights, sounds, and sensations of the natural world around you. No pre-registration required.
Docent-Led School Program: Offered March - May 2026: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings. More information on the reservation process is available on our School Groups page.
-
NOTE: Our Docent-led Youth Program is reserved for in-person school classrooms. Homeschool groups are warmly invited to enjoy our Self-Guided Program.
Have a group interested in Self-Guided Tours? Check out our field trip guide!
- 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 March - May 2026 on Monday & Wednesday mornings, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day weeks. Group size is limted to 70 students. More information on the reservation process is available on our School Groups page.
- 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 
View on the beach from Monday, 10/20/25 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.
