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Torrey Pines State Beach

LOCATION:
Between La Jolla and Del Mar, from north of Black's Beach to about 4th Street/Del Mar Heights Road. [Map It]

HOURS:
7 a.m. until sunset

PARKING:
$2 a day in State Reserve lot along North Torrey Pines Road or at lot on north side of Penasquitos Lagoon; free on street

PHONE:
858/755-2063

FACILITIES: [Legend]

 Beach Information

Special Comments: Torrey Pines State Beach and Reserve offer many unique features, from hiking trails to wetland exploration to the more typical beach pastimes of surfing, swimming and boogie boarding. The reserve is home to our nation's most rare pine tree, the pinus torreyana. According to California State Parks literature, before the encroachment of civilization this tree covered a larger area but now grows only within Torrey Pines State Reserve and on Santa Rosa Island off Santa Barbara.

There are a number of trails down to the reserve ranging in length from a half mile to 1* miles. In addition to protecting the Torrey Pines, the reserve also encompasses some of the last salt marsh and waterfowl refuge in Southern California, an excellent location for viewing birds as well as other wildlife. Finally, Torrey Pines State Reserve is the western terminus of the 110-mile San Diego Trans-County Trail, which runs all the way to Anza-Borrego State Park.

The Visitor Center is a pueblo-style structure built in 1923. Originally, the structure served as a restaurant. The Center features interpretive displays designed to educate the public about the rich plant and animal community of Torrey Pines State Reserve. The displays cover topics from spring wildflowers to California quail that gather in coveys in the early mornings of fall and winter.

Camping and picnicking are prohibited in the reserve, but a picnic area and parking lot are near the entrance on North Torrey Pines Road.

The wide sand beach covers 4* miles from the quiet, affluent beach town of Del Mar south past Los Pe–asquitos Lagoon to the sandstone cliffs of Torrey Pines Mesa at the north end of Black's Beach. Hard-packed wet sand, in abundance at low tide, tucked against rich red-brown broken coastal cliffs rising to 300 feet in places, make Torrey Pines State Beach a popular escape from the hustle of the nearby metropolis of San Diego.

The park's north parking area off Carmel Valley Road provides access to the mouth of Pe–asquitos Lagoon, which features a wave-free water recreation environment varying in depth with the tides.

Food/dining: The nearest fast food is located on Carmel Valley Road, approximately a quarter mile east of Torrey Pines Road/Camino Del Mar.

Restrooms: Public showers and restrooms are located at both paid lots.

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