Hike and beach in one, let’s go! Find this combo @ Torrey Pines State Reserve. Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego has several hiking trails one can chose to venture to, one of them will lead you a gorgeous beach, with an epic backdrop of sculpted badlands.
Torrey Pines State Reserve got its name from one of North America’s rarest tree, the Torrey Pine. The Torrey pine, Pinus torreyana, is the rarest pine species in the United States, an endangered species growing along the coast of San Diego County and on two of the Channel Islands. The species name torreyana is named for John Torrey, an American botanist, after whom the coniferous genus Torreya is also named.
We hiked in total about 2.5-3.5 miles, branching to lookouts whenever we encounter them. Start early, this is a popular hiking area to beat the crowd and get parking.
How to get there
We drove from Moreno Valley for 1 1/2 hours to 12600 N. Torrey Pines Road, San Diego, California 92037. There’s a 20$ entrance fee/car. Or flash your California Explorer Annual Pass. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049
Drive all the way up to the hill for the visitor center parking. If you’re up for an extra walk, park roadside next to the beach for free. But walk an extra 2 mile up the hill, before the actual trails. FYI- Pets are not allowed on the trails. No drones are permitted.
Bring water. Drinking fountains when we went were closed due to the pandemic. Bathrooms/Portalet are available at the entrance, visitor center, and razor point trailhead.
Be prepared to see crowded parking lots, cyclists and joggers, families, and beachgoers all trying to enjoy the same 8 miles of trails and additional paved roads and beaches.
The Trails
This state park is made up of six trails, which vary on length and intensity. This makes choosing a trail quite like ordering at Starbucks, personable and customizable.
Note: during this time, the stairs to the beach access was taken down for repair. People still went down to the beach anyway, by scrambling the rocks. Once done with water, sand and sun, they walk back to the parking area from the beach.
1. GUY FLEMING TRAIL
⅔ mile loop
This is an easy loop that takes you to 2 incredible look out points. You make your way to the cliffs that overlook the ocean and then walk north, parallel to the coastline.
2. RAZOR POINT TRAIL
⅔ mile
This trail is exciting because it breaks off into several additional trials. Veering off to take these paths is a fun, subtle way to add to your workout. It lands you at a incredibly large rock area that’s an ultimate lookout point for ocean views and photos.
Yucca Point Trail is one of the small breakaway trails. This small garden loop is a delightful spot to stroll and take in ocean views. We highly recommend taking the short time to branch off onto it. It’s also accessible via the Beach Trail.
3. BEACH TRAIL – No beach access this time (04/2021)
¾ mile
Start high up on the cliffs and weave your way down. It’s more important to have good-gripping shoes on this trail than some of the flatter loops. This is because you’ll be carefully working your way downhill. When you make it down the final steps, you’ll step (or leap!) onto the sand. Making it to a beach has never been so triumphant. We accessed Razor Point Lookout and further down Yucca Point Lookout from this trail. Also made our way past The Red Butte.
After taking in the seaside, you can make your way back up the trail for a fantastic uphill workout or head back to where you (likely) parked by simply walking the beach back north. You can also branch off to Razor Point or make your way back up by the Broken Hill Trail.
We opted to go down to the beach access just to see but not actually going down. It is quite steep without the stairs. Took the Broken Hill Trail going up.
4. BROKEN HILL TRAIL
Access to beach via 2 paths, one 1.2 miles & one 1.3 miles– North Fork Trail and South Fork Trail. North being the shorter version.
The Broken Hill Trail has some serious uphill climbing. The Broken Hill Overlook, which rewards you with sand stone badlands view, and South Fork Overlook, you realize your heightened elevation and know you worked hard for that view!
5. PARRY GROVE
½ miles
This half-mile hike takes you through the wildflower-filled Whitaker garden. It leads downwards to a lovely ocean view, an ideal spot for resting before turning to hike back up the trail.
6. HIGH POINT TRAIL
0.1 mile hike
This short path gives you a complete 360 degree view of La Jolla and the surrounding San Diego area. If you’re a visitor wanting to get a better feel for the area or a native who has never experienced the entirety of this area’s beauty, it’s worth checking out.
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