Visitor Center and Visitor Center Parking Lot Closures:
Monday, May 5th - Friday, May 9th: Visitor center parking lot will be closed for restoration vehicles staging
- Lodge parking lot will be reopened for the weekend May 10th & 11th
Monday, May 12th - Friday May 16th:
Visitor Center parking lot AND Visitor Center will be closed. Please plan accordingly.
West parking lot (next to the beach trail) will not be affected.
Trails
Please check the Park Updates postings on the main page on trail accessibility. Trails, particularly the steeper Broken Hill, Razor Point, and Beach Trails, are generally closed in the event of rain to prevent soil erosion. The steps at the Parry Grove Trail can be slippery and dangerous. The closure time varies, depending on the amount and duration of the rainfall. Please help us protect the Reserve by observing posted trail closures. Click here to see a SD County video explaining trail closures after a rain.
Current Conditions:
- TPSNR Main Trails OPEN.
- TPSNR Extension - Margaret Fleming Trail CLOSED - est. reopening Summer 2025
Trails in the main Reserve
- Guy Fleming Trail. A relatively level and easy 2/3-mile loop, the trail offers two scenic overlooks with panoramic views. This trail has the greatest variety of wildflowers, ferns, cacti, and habitat diversity in the reserve. (Read the history of this trail.)
- Parry Grove Trail. A half-mile loop. Secluded. Steep entry/exit with over 100 stone steps. Drought and bark beetle infestation had devastated the Torrey pines in this grove, but it is recovering. The Whitaker Garden, a native plant garden, is at the trailhead. (Read the history of this trail.)
Click here for a Vimeo link to a docent produced video (14 min).
- High Point Trail. Steep 100 yards with steps but the top offers a panoramic view of the Reserve, lagoon, and inland.
- Razor Point Trail. About 2/3 mile to the Razor Point Overlook, the trail meanders through coastal sage scrub with dramatic views of sculptured sandstone gorge and gnarled trees. The Yucca Point Overlook, accessible from both Razor Point and Beach Trails, features yucca flower displays in the spring and examples of sandstone erosion and patterned sculptures called tafoni.
- Beach Trail. A 3/4-mile trail that is a rustic footpath through the Upper Reserve and descends roughly 300 feet to the beach. Final access to beach via stairs.
- Broken Hill Trail. About 1.3 mile via the South Fork and 1.4 mile via the North Fork down to the beach. This trail joins the Beach Trail just above Flat Rock. This is the Reserve’s longest trail through chaparral and sagebrush, and a scenic overlook with views of eroding sandstone.
Trails in the Reserve Extension
- Mar Scenic Trail (1/2 mile) follows the seasonal creek through the extension.
- Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Trail (1/2 mile) offers views across the marsh to the main reserve and to the ocean.
- Margaret Fleming Nature Trail (3/4 mile) leads through coastal sage scrub.
- Red Ridge Loop Trail (1/3 mile) offers views of the lagoon, the main reserve and spectacular geologic formations.
Maps
Rules of the Reserve
Torrey Pines is visited by travelers from all over the world and by local residents who come daily to rest at the stunning overlooks, walk a peaceful trail, or exercise in a clean, beautiful environment. Come spend some time at beautiful Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
While you do, please keep in mind that a reserve is not a park. A natural reserve status is assigned to an area of importance, and typically is one that contains threatened plants, animals, habitats, or unique geological formations. As such, a reserve is a protected area targeted for conservation and carries with it restrictions that are not found in parks. Of the 280 units in the California State Park system, only 14 have reserve status and Torrey Pines is one of them.
Please take special care to preserve the Reserve and keep it for now and forever. Please take note that in this Reserve:
- NO DOGS OR OTHER PETS IN THE RESERVE OR STATE BEACH
- Stay on trail – Walking off trail causes erosion, tramples plants and frightens wildlife.
- No pets – Dogs frighten wildlife and their waste causes nesting animals to abandon their young.
- No food in the reserve – Help keep our animals wild and healthy by picnicking only at the beach.
- No alcohol
- No drones – To prevent possible resource damage from accidents and to avoid frightening animals.
- No picking/collecting natural features – Pinecones and flowers must be left to produce seeds to grow new plants. It also allows fellow visitors to enjoy the fauna.
- No smoking/open flames – Torrey Pines has a high fire danger. The plants found here are dry and flammable.
- No amplified music – Respect your fellow hikers and enjoy the sounds of nature while in the reserve.
- All groups over 20 people require a permit - Please contact torrey.pines@parks.ca.gov to obtain guided hike permits, or visit our Special Events page for weddings, photoshoots, etc.
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
Parking
South Beach Lot
(12600 North Torrey Pines Rd., access to upper lots and beach)
General Admission Day Use fee is $12-$25 per vehicle (demand based pricing) or a valid annual California State Parks Vehicle Day Use Pass. Recreational vehicles longer than a standard parking spot are allowed only in the North Beach lot. Camping is not permitted at Torrey Pines
If there is no staff person in the kiosk at the park entrance, the parking fee must be paid at the Automated Pay Machine located in the South Beach parking lot.
North Beach Lot
(from Carmel Valley Rd, access to beach, remote parking for trails)
General Admission Day Use fee is $10-$25 per vehicle (demand based pricing) or a valid annual California State Parks Vehicle Day Use Pass. Camping is not permitted at Torrey Pines
Pay at the Automated Pay Machine located near the entrance of the parking lot if no staff person is in the kiosk.
Note: Recreational vehicles longer than a standard parking spot are allowed only in the North Beach lot and must use designated spots.
All groups need a permit.
One of the more common complaints in the summer time at Torrey Pines is the parking. When the South Beach lot fills up, we close the entrance and visitors need to head to North Beach for parking. There is now a flashing light on the top of the kiosk to alert visitors when the gate is closed. This early alert system will enable visitors to go directly to the North Beach parking lot and avoid having to make a u-turn at the closed entrance to the South Beach lot. Once you know exactly where to look, you can even see the light from the top of High Bridge or Carmel Valley Rd. See map below for some locations to look for the flashing light.
