One of the largest areas of preserved land on the California coastline, Torrey Pines State Reserve is a breathtakingly beautiful, natural retreat. Located just outside San Diego in the community of La Jolla, Torrey Pines State Reserve stretches across 2000 acres of pristine land.
Free Guided Torrey Pines Reserve Tours
You can opt to take one of the guided nature walks offered on weekends and holidays to appreciate the eight miles of scenic trails and indigenous life at the Reserve. Tours are free and typically last from 1 to 1 hours. Led by experienced volunteers , the guided nature walks consist of ten people or less. If you are traveling with a group larger than twenty—five, you will have to get a special events permit.
Torrey Pines Flora and Fauna
Racoons, wild birds, California ground squirrels gray foxes and mule deer are just a few of the diverse animals that you will find here. In addition to the Torrey Pines for which the Reserve was named, you will find different species of fern, cactus, wildflowers and lilies. The Torrey Pine, or pinus torreyana torreyana, is an endangered tree species that only grows in this small area of California.
At the Reserve, there is a scenic lookout point at a plateau that overlooks Torrey Pines State Beach, a favorite spot for hikers and joggers. An ideal place to exercise in a clean, beautiful outdoor zone, the Reserve is open to pedestrians and bicycles from 7am until sunset. Although picnics are not allowed at the Reserve (to prevent introducing foreign material to the ecology) visitors can have a picnic on the beach. At the beach, you will find many kinds of migrating seabirds— from the plateau, you can view a lagoon that is vital to the birds’ migration. During the winter months, you might even spot a gray whale.