Best Hikes at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

One of the best parts of travel is finding a new area to explore on foot. While at a business conference in La Jolla, I learned of the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, just a short drive north. I decided to spend my final afternoon exploring the best hikes at Torrey Pines before catching my flight out of San Diego back home. I was not disappointed.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve has 10 dedicated hiking trails, but many of the intersect. That made it easy to hike several of them without having to retrace my steps back on each trail.

Here’s an itinerary to help you plan your visit to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve so you can maximize your visit.

Directions and Entrance Fees to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Torrey Pines States Natural Reserve is about 20 miles north of downtown San Diego. It’s a pretty straight shot up I-5, taking exit 33B to Caramel Valley Road and heading west toward the coast. When you reach Torrey Pines Road, which parallels the coast, head south and follow the signs to the State Natural Reserve. Don’t confuse it for Torrey Pines State Beach – that’s a different location just north of the State Natural Reserve.

Heading south on Torrey Pines Road, the entrance to the reserve is on the right side. Depending on when you arrive, you may have a few minutes to wait to get to the Entrance Booth. The busiest time is daily from 10- 2p.m., so if you can visit outside of those hours, you’ll spend less time waiting to enter.

RELATED POST: Book a guided kayak tour to the La Jolla Caves

The reserve is open 365 days a year from 7:15 a.m. to sunset. When you arrive, if there is no attendant at the booth, you’ll still need to pay the admission fee at one of the kiosks in the park so you can avoid a citation/ticket. The general admission fee ranges from $15 to $25 and is based on how busy the park is on that day.

Once you’re past the booth, you can park in the large lot next to the booth if your plan is to simply visit the beach. But if you plan to hike on the trails I outline below, you’ll want to drive very carefully up to the visitor center and avoid pedestrians walking along the road. There are parking lots near the visitor center and hiking trails inside the reserve.

Wildlife, Flowers and Vegetation Along the Way

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is an area dedicated to protecting and preserving the ecosystem in this area. As a result, you’ll need to be mindful and respectful of the wildflowers and wildlife you may encounter along the trails.

During my hike, I saw several lizards, as seen in the photo above. I also walked by a bush that had a rattlesnake slithering through it. I wasn’t going to search in the bush to get an amazing photo of the snake and I encourage you to make that same choice should you encounter a snake. Be mindful of where you’re stepping so you don’t scare any snakes that may be basking in the sun on the trail.

Throughout the reserve, I saw lots of wildflowers and other plants. Some of the plants, especially those in the Whitaker Garden, have name plaques so you know what plan you’re looking at. Most don’t have that name sign. Be sure and enjoy the flowers with your eyes, or take as many photos as you’d like. But don’t pick them in an attempt to take them home.

Stay on the trails, that way you don’t surprise a rattlesnake or smash the plants that make Torrey Pines Natural Reserve a beautiful landscape to explore.

Hike the Guy Fleming Trail

On the drive up the hillside toward the Torrey Pines Lodge (visitor center), you’ll reach the first trailhead in about 3/4th mile. There’s a small dirt parking area near the trailhead, but if that’s full, you’ll need to continue up to the visitor center area to park – then you can hike back down to the Guy Fleming Trailhead.

The Guy Fleming Trail is an easy trail for people of all ages. It’s relatively flat and makes a nice loop around a hill, offering forest hiking and fantastic views of the ocean when you get to the North or South Overlook. It was along this trail I spotted the rattlesnake, but I’m sure the snakes are throughout the entire reserve.

You can complete this trail on your way into or out of the reserve. Either way, it’s an easy and beautiful hike in the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

DISTANCE: 0.8 miles round trip
ELEVATION GAIN: 52 feet
CATEGORY: Easy 

Park at the Visitor Center – Learn About Torrey Pines

When you arrive at the top of the road, find a parking spot in one of two areas. There’s a parking lot by the Visitor Center, but there’s another one by the Beach Trailhead. Once parked, make your way to the Torrey Pines Lodge.

Inside the Lodge, you’ll find several displays and areas about the ecosystem. Read about the animals that call the reserve home, along with the trees and plants that hold the landscapes together. It’s a great way to better understand the reserve before you venture out to the trails.

Once you’ve explored the indoor exhibits, venture out the back door to get yet another view of the area. They’re amazing and something you won’t quickly forget.

The Torrey Pines Lodge also houses the gift shop. It’s here where you can pick up a hat, book, t-shirt, patch or other souvenirs from the reserve.

Hike Six Trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

From the visitor center parking or the Beach Trailhead, you can explore six different trails. Many of them intersect, so while I’ve listed what you’ll see along the trails and how long each individual trail is, you can “mix and match”, too.

For example, I started along the Beach Trailhead and went to Razor Point, then headed over to Yucca Point before venturing down to the beach. After spending some time on the beach, I walked back up via Broken Hill Trail, which joins North Fork Trail back to the main road. Just before the parking lot, I split off the paved road onto the Discovery Trail and back to the visitor center.

I’ve written about each of the trails, in the order you can hike them if you want to explore the whole area.

Razor Point Trail (check out Red Butte)

From the upper parking area on the west side (not the lot closest to the visitor center) is the trailhead for Razor Point Trail, Yucca Point Trail and Beach Trail. As you venture down the trail, follow the signs toward Razor Point, which leads you to the north side of Red Butte).

Along the trail, there’s a red rock area that serves as a great landmark for the area. The Razor Point Trail passes it on the north side, with a connecting trail or two so you can explore Red Butte itself. It’s an easy trail all the way to Razor Point, and when you get there, take a few minutes to enjoy the views before taking the trail back until you reach an offshoot that heads south and connects you to Yucca Point Trail.

DISTANCE: 1.3 miles round trip
ELEVATION GAIN: 177 feet
CATEGORY: Easy 

Yucca Point Trail and Overlook

Yucca Point Trail starts in the same spot as the Razor Point Trail, but you’ll simply follow the signs to stay on this specific trail. If you want to check out Red Butte, there are offshoots that take you over to that area.

If you started your hike out to Razor Point, then you can follow the signs to Yucca Point Trail, which takes you to another amazing overlook. After checking out the overlook of the beach and ocean, make your way back up the trail until you reach the offshoot trail to the beach, known as Beach Trail (read more about that trail below).

DISTANCE: 1.2 miles round trip
ELEVATION GAIN: 193 feet
CATEGORY: Easy 

Beach Trail to Flat Rock

As mentioned with the two previous trails above, Beach Trail starts at the same parking lot and follows Yucca Trail most of the way. But don’t miss the offshoot that heads south on Beach Trail so you can access the beach below.

Beach Trail is a little more moderate of a hike, mainly because of the descending nature of it. At one point, just as you’re approaching the beach, there’s a curved path of stairs. You’ll want to be extremely careful not to slip, as there are no handrails.

NOTE: If the tide is high, then there won’t be a beach there to explore. In fact, that portion is inaccessible 2-3 hours before and after high tide. If that’s the case, don’t continue down the stairs.

Once on the beach, you’re able to explore it north and south. Don’t go near the bottom of the cliffs, as falling rocks may cause injury. The stairs is the only nearby access point, so I recommend just hanging out in the area and exploring Flat Rock (you’ll know it when you see it) and the views.

ATTENTION: I heard people talking about a spot roughly 3/4 miles south of this access point known as Black’s Beach. I mention this so you don’t end up surprised if you venture to Black’s Beach and learn first-hand that it’s a clothing-option beach.

DISTANCE: 1.5 miles round trip
ELEVATION GAIN: 300 feet
CATEGORY: Moderate (because of the stairs and elevation gain/loss)

Broken Hill Trail to North Fork Trail

Broken Hill Trail is part of the loop hike I did from near the visitor center. After making my way down to the beach via the stairs and checking out Flat Rock, I headed back up the stairs. But instead of retracing my steps up Beach Trail, I headed south and followed Broken Hill Trail back up toward the top.

There are a few switchbacks that help keep the elevation gain a little more moderate. When you get to the top of the switchbacks, you can check out the Broken Hill Overlook before connecting to either the North Fork Trail or South Fork Trail (they both go to the same place, but the South Fork Trail is a little longer and more accessible.

When you reach the roadway, turn north and follow it back toward the visitor center.

DISTANCE: 2.5 miles round trip
ELEVATION GAIN: 300 feet
CATEGORY: Moderate (because of the elevation gain/loss)

Discovery Trail on the Way Back to Visitor Center

As I made my way along the paved road after hiking along Broken Hill and North Fork Trail, I took a dirt path on the right side of the road before I reached the parking lot. I learned that this was Discovery Trail. It’s a wide dirt path with signs near some of the trees and vegetation to help visitors read a little more about the ecosystem. I snapped a selfie next to a large cactus or two before I reached the visitor center.

This hike is perfect for the young kids who want to hike, but don’t want to deal with elevation changes.

DISTANCE: 0.13 miles round trip
ELEVATION GAIN: Minimal
CATEGORY: Easy 

Two Hiking Trails Near the Visitor Center

I’ve already talked about Discovery Trail near the visitor center, but there are two additional trails a short walk north of the visitor center. If you want to explore these two additional trails, DO NOT walk down the middle of the roadway. There’s a path on the side of the road that you should use so you aren’t competing with vehicles.

High Point Trail

If you want to venture to the highest point of the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, High Point Trail is for you. Located a short 0.1-mile walk north along the roadway, the trailhead takes you up some stairs toward the top. It’s not a long trail, but it is walking up stairs for a couple of minutes.

From the top, you can’t really see the beach, but you can see the ocean and the landscapes further inland. I recommend venturing to the summit for a look around.

DISTANCE: 100 yards to the top
ELEVATION GAIN: 100 feet
CATEGORY: Easy (though the entire trail is stairs)

Parry Grove Trail and Whitaker Garden

Located on the west side of the road from the High Point Trail is a set of hiking trails worth exploring. The first area you reach moments after starting the trail is the Whitaker Garden. You’ll find several plants there with a corresponding sign so you can identify what plants you’re looking at.

As you follow the trail toward the outlook point, you’ll find yet another beautiful view of the ocean and colorful landscape of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. But as you made your way to that outlook, you passed another offshoot trail worth exploring.

The Parry Grove Trail descends into a beautiful area, but it doesn’t access the beach. While the Whitaker Garden and Overlook are easy hikes, the Parry Grove Trail jumps up to a moderate level. You’ll note in the photo above that this particular trail has 118 steps that descend. That means that after completing the loop trail, you’ll be hiking back up those 118 steps. It’s very doable, I just want to make sure you know that it’s a little tougher than the Easy Hike designation.

DISTANCE: 0.6 miles round trip
ELEVATION GAIN: 111 feet
CATEGORY: Moderate (because of the stairs and elevation gain/loss)

The Details

Address: 12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037

Cost: The general admission day use fee is $15-$25 per vehicle (demand-base pricing) or a valid annual California State Parks Vehicle Day Use Pass.

Hours: The park is open from 7:15 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year. The entrance kiosk station is open from 8 a.m. to approximately a 1/2 hour before sunset 365 days a year. If there is no staff person in the kiosk at the park entrance, the parking fee must be paid at the Automated Pay Machine located in the South Beach parking lot. The Visitor Center is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=657

Phone: (858) 755-2063

PIN THIS