Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
The Park is currently OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS IN SERVICES AND/OR FACILITIES.
Please check the hours of operation.
Closure Order Due to Wildland Fire - Dated: 8/14/2024
Effective immediately, to provide for public safety, security, safeguarding, and preservation of resources, the area known as the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Extension in San Diego Coast District, outlined below in red on the map, is hereby declared a prohibited area and temporarily closed to all public use.
Torrey Pines SNR Extension-Wildland Fire Closure Posted Order 935-630-003 (10/17/2024)
Effective immediately, to provide for public safety, security, safeguarding, and preservation of resources, the area known as the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Extension in San Diego Coast District, outlined below in red on the map, is hereby declared a prohibited area and temporarily closed to all public use.
Torrey Pines SNR Extension-Wildland Fire Closure Posted Order 935-630-003 (10/17/2024)
Park Facilities
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
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 looking south towards Flat Rock and La Jolla.
View looking north back toward Del Mar and the South Beach parking lot.King Tides video clip (10 sec) from Torrey Pines Reserve and Torry Pines SNR cliff falling (13 sec) on Vimeo.
Reserve Information:
State Natural Reserves have outstanding or unusual natural or scenic values. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a wilderness island in an urban sea. This fragile environment is the home of our nation's rarest pine tree - Pinus torreyana. Once this tree covered a larger area. It now grows only here and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast near Santa Barbara. The park preserves not only the trees, but also one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California. The reserve features high broken cliffs and deep ravines on headlands overlooking the ocean. Hikers can follow trails through stands of wind-sculpted pines. A picturesque, pueblo-style structure that served as a restaurant when it was built in 1923 houses the visitor center, featuring interpretive displays. Picnicking and camping are prohibited in the reserve. The reserve's rich plant community features wildflowers in the spring and visitors can see the California quail gathered in coveys in the early mornings of fall and winter.
Torrey Pines State Beach can also be reached by trail from the Reserve.
Annual Passes are now sold at the entrance kiosk station operated by our concessionaire, LAZ Parking. The entrance kiosk station is open from 8:00am to approximately a 1/2 hour before sunset 365 days a year. For more park information go to Torreypine.org/reserveinfo.
Torrey Pines SNR Parking
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.
Rules of the Reserve:
- NO DOGS 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.
Are there any rattlesnake? - 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 mostly 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 pickup the snake yourself.
On-Going Events:
- Docent Led Hikes: Every weekend day and nationally observed holidays at 10 a.m.
- Mindfulness Walks: Meet at the visitor center every Sunday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Docent-Led School Program: Offered September through May of the school year: First Friday morning of the month plus Tuesday and Thursday mornings, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day weeks. More information on the reservation process is available at: Group Field Trips and Hikes (Torrey Pines Docent Society)
Please click HERE for Rules and Regulations of the Reserve
