Torrey Pines State Reserve

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of the largest wild pieces of land on the Southern California Coast.  It has over 2,000 acres of untouched beaches, lagoons and the rare Torrey pines for which the park is named after.  The Torrey pines are so rare in fact that they only grow from the coast of Del Mar to the coast of La Jolla and on the remote island of Santa Rosa that is 170 miles northwest of the coast. To get a taste for the Earth’s history, the sandstone offers wonderful stories of the rise and fall of the oceans and the land masses that form the cliffs of Torrey Pines.  Photographers love chronicling the changing of the seasons at Torrey Pines. The bluffs at Torrey Pines are the prefect stage to catch the yearly migration of Gray Whales as well as observe the dolphins year round. The parks varying climate, mix of salt and fresh waters and mix of elevations are the setting for a very complex ecosystem which still perplexes geologists. Torrey Pines is a favorite site for locals and tourists alike with over eight miles of beautiful trails to explore and breathtaking views of the Pacific ocean. On the weekends and holidays visitors can participate in guided tours and visit the 75-year old adobe building which now houses the visitors center. A land untouched, Torrey Pines State Reserve is a blast to the past and an eye opener to the delicate world we live in.