Exploring Torrey Pines: A Hidden Gem in California

Posted byDawn PalmerPosted inBeach, Landscape, PhotosTags:, , , ,

I recently decided to start traveling to some of the California State Parks that are lesser known to me — there are a lot of parks! It also happens to be Great Outdoors month, as Terri shared on her blog about visiting parks, so what perfect timing to begin my adventure to explore all California state parks. On this particular trip, I visited Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in San Diego, California. Most people drive right past this park or only use it to go to the beach, but there is a large part of the park on top of the bluffs, where there are unique Torrey pines, many wildflowers, and sweeping vistas.

Vista from bluff top trail looking south towards La Jolla. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, San Diego, California.

There is an old 1923 Torrey Pines Lodge at the top of the hill after entering the park. Travelers used to stop at this lodge — actually a restaurant despite the name — as it was along the old road to San Diego before the freeway was put in.

Torrey Pines Lodge. Torrey Pines State Park Natural Reserve, San Diego, California.

The lodge is falling apart a little bit, but they are trying to restore it, so the front of the lodge is blocked off. However, the back of the lodge gives a great view up the coast.

Torrey Pines Lodge is also an informative interpretative center with knowledgeable park rangers. View of the back of the lodge.
View looking north up California coast from Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, San Diego, California.

There are a lot of trails on top of Torrey Pines bluffs. Some wander down to the cliff overlooking the ocean, providing an expansive view up and down the coast.

Coastal view from top of trail at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. San Diego, California.

Most trails showed off the unique Torrey pines that only grow here and Santa Rosa Island near Santa Barbara. The wind whips up the cliffs and gives them interesting shapes.

This rare Torrey pine only grows here in this park and Santa Rosa Island — they are scattered throughout the park, often near jagged bluffs and cliffs.

I hoped you enjoyed my quick peek at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. It is always calming to get out and enjoy nature. If you happen to get out to the park, I hope you find it as peaceful as I did.

Published by Dawn Palmer

I am an avid nature and ecology lover and enjoy sharing my photography in my blog writings. I will often be out early in the morning or late in the evening with my camera, trying to capture the peacefulness and beauty around me.

13 thoughts on “Exploring Torrey Pines: A Hidden Gem in California”

  2. Beautiful views of Torrey Pines State Park, Dawn. The great outdoors indeed! When I was a kid, we visited there a lot. There was a hike through a narrow canyon, called “Fat Man’s Misery” then (probably renamed to be PC). We also used to watch the Hang Gliders fly from the cliffs. Thanks for the memories!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you! The narrow canyon is still there but I’m not sure what it’s called now. There were hang gliders there this past weekend but they didn’t turn out in my photos…I’d have to get closer and have better lighting. I could hear seals barking down below, but they also didn’t make the shots. 😂😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I took a couple of trails while there because they were easy. There’s a bit of a descent down towards the cliff overlooking the ocean, coming back up is not nearly as bad as some of the surrounding neighborhood hills. There path around the lodge is flat and good for looking at the famous Torrey Pines golf course in the distance or out at the ocean too. I couldn’t tell if people were being cheap and parking outside the park or wanted their morning workout, but if you park outside the park or at the bottom by the entry gate—the hill up to the top where the trails are at is no joke steep. (I choose to park at top.)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I’ll park on top! No steep trails for me.
        Thank you for letting me know about these trails. It sounds beautiful and San Diego is such a great place. San Diego was the first place for my husband and I to live in after we got married. We stayed there for 8 months and loved it.

        Like

    1. Glad you liked! I only knew about it vaguely until my husband said his race ran up that road through the park. I knew about the golf course nearby and the beach, but there are a lot of trails up at the top of this road overlooking the ocean and the golf course. The park ranger told me the golf course’s fancy Lodge restaurant is named after the original in the state park.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. This is one park I need to visit! Thank you for the historical perspective as it makes the photos have meaning. Your pictures provide an interesting overview of the park and encourages one to go and explore this area. Every state park has so much for people to enjoy nature. Nice job!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you! Glad you enjoyed! It does get busy on the weekends there, so we like going during the week or early in the day. Stay tuned for another state park review.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment