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    Torrey Pines State Reserve

    4.7 (1.6k reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Reviews With Photos - Torrey Pines State Reserve

    Kanya D.

    Took my little one hiking here, and we had such a great time! They have several hiking trails, including easy, kid-friendly ones that are perfect for families. There's also a museum where you can see preserved animals, which made the visit even more fun and educational. There's plenty of parking, and the ocean views are absolutely beautiful. Just keep in mind that dogs aren't allowed on the trails. Overall, it's a gorgeous place to explore if you're looking for an easy hike with amazing scenery and a fun outing for kids.

    JP P.

    So Cal is full of gems and this is one of them ! Beautiful place , great hikes , beautiful beaches and delicious food . Highly recommend.

    Vanessa T.

    Torrey Pines is a gorgeous park just north of La Jolla. For a small parking fee, they offer beautiful cliff views, beach-side walking and hiking trails, and seasonal blooms. The views are great. Personally, I prefer La Jolla, but this is very suitable for someone looking for a casual walk/hike without the crowds. They have many benches and are far more intimate than surrounding beaches. I'd love to enjoy a sunset here, but unfortunately, cars must be out of the top lot by 7pm. They do, however, have an abundance of port-a-pottys in the lot. Well-preserved and very walkable, Torrey Pines is worth at least one visit.

    Blossom V.

    This review is specific to Broken Hill Trail. Great trail for those looking to do easy flat, quick hike. Leads to shore with beautiful views.

    Nick P.

    3/30/26 update: We paid $15 for the entrance fee on a Monday. I believe it would cost more on a holiday or weekend. You have the option to park in the lower parking lot or the upper. We parked in the upper because it's closer to the hiking trails. I would park in the lower parking lot if you wanted to spend more time at the beach. We went on the Razor Point Trail, Beach Trail, and Yucca Point. The Beach Trail has more than 100 stairs that go down to the beach. We spent about 2 hrs in total there. We took pictures and videos. Make sure you wear sneakers, a hat, sunglasses, bring water, and sun tan lotion.

    Audrey B.

    Honestly, Torrey Pines is just one of those places I never get tired of. The beach trail is my go-to and it takes you all the way down to the beach and the views along the way are just chef's kiss. The hike is pretty chill, just a couple of uphills here and there, nothing crazy. It's the kind of place that genuinely makes you feel good, like actually resets your soul a little. Living in San Diego and being so close to a gem like this? Super grateful for that! The trails are always in great shape and there's usually enough space to spread out, just don't sleep on arriving early on weekends or you'll be fighting for a spot!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Marilyn N.

    Favorite parking lot is north beach- easy access to the bathroom and shower nozzle. With the new extended ramp down the beach it's much more accessible when bringing down the wagons filled with tents and chairs etc. just noticed the shared toy box by the restroom for those impromptu visit with the kiddos.

    Isobel L.

    Beautiful place to hike amongst some of the rarest pine trees on the planet. Also a great place to go the beach. Pricing for parking is not cheap but the fee seems to vary by demand. I drove to the top and was able to pay online for my parking fee ($20.00). Look out for hikers in the road, despite multiple signs telling them to stay out of lanes. Stunning views of the coast and lots of cool native plants to visit. Highly recommended!

    Flat Rock. Beach access below this point.
    Ryan S.

    3/1/2026 Update: Upper road and Trails open! Yay! Upper parking lot still has Porta-potties. Looks like they just got rid of old restroom building. Trails still nice lovely. Bottom stairs near Flat Rock open. Check the tides before you go. You don't want to get caught by water and cliffs (cliff dangerous if walking under; follow posted warning signs). Sunset and views of La Jolla are awesome as always. Cheers.

    The smooth pebble rocks
    Anna T.

    Beautiful spot. Headed out for a hike along the beach in Oct. Underestimate when high tide was coming in. We got there around 9ish and parked and headed out on the trail. We saw a sign saying High tide was coming at noon. By the time we reached the coast it was 10am, the water was very close to the stairs already. Our plan to walk along the coast back to our car ended shortly. We didn't have water shoes or else that would have been doable. Next time we will check the high tide schedule! And come way before the 2 hour mark. Probably at least 4hours to be safe. Nonetheless it was a nice spot to check out

    James V.

    Iconic beach in La Jolla! Incredible scenery and the crispiest fresh air. Clean. Free parking can be challenging, but be patient or find paid parking. Loved strolling the beach barefoot while feeling the breeze and water.

    Jemila P.

    Our family enjoyed their first visit to Torrey Pines for an extended hike and walk along the beach. Weekdays the entrance fee is $15 and $20 for the weekend. The trail was well-attended late Monday morning but not so crowded that we felt rushed to move along. Certain areas require more caution due to being slippery or harder to maneuver with rocks and less obvious dedicated areas to place one's feet. The beach was not crowded and allowed us to have a semi-private experience observing sea life and marveling at the landscape.

    view of canyon towards ocean
    Monty D.

    We came here on a Sunday mid-morning and was pleasantly surprised to find parking. In fact, while there were a lot of people, it wasn't super crowded (and yes, it was still a sunny day). Be aware there is a daily fee based upon demand, so the parking price may change. Today, it was $20. We drove up the cliff to the top parking lots. Today, there was ample parking. We stopped by the information center, and the docents and staff were very helpful. Most importantly is my pic of the trails and trailheads - they don't hand out paper maps. The other notable, is there isn't restroom facilities at the information center. You'll have to cross the street to the other parking lot and use the blue portable outhouses. (They did have separate pump water hand washing stations - not totally roughing it.) The trails were easy to find and stay on - being quite wide and well groomed (its sandy, there are steps and some stairs). Overall, the trails are under a few miles and its easy to reverse course and go back, if you don't want to walk the entire trail. As you can see from my pics, the views were great. The salt air was great. The cliffs were great. And my companion, my wife, was even greater!

    torrey likes beach rocks and squirrels

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    9 months ago

    A beautiful park! Wish we had more time there. Came here in a recommendation by other conference goers and it was a great relaxing getaway

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    Torrey Pines State Reserve Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Torrey Pines State Reserve

    Is there any camping?

    No.

    Would you bring your young children on this hike? 3 & 5. They do well hiking in AZ. Just have no idea how these trails are....Thanks

    Yes! There are several parking spots. I would avoid the first visitor parking by the entrance and drive up to the second parking. This way you'll avoid the incline of the hill and kids wouldn't get too tired before even getting to see the views.

    Can we go for a hike before 10am, on maps it says they don't "open" til that time but I like doing my hikes early?

    You can go earlier the parking lot just wasn't be open. But street parking is.

    Does the park close at a certain time? Would we be able to have a sunset picnic?

    Closed at sunset. The beach is still an option.

    Where to park if I don't want to pay$20?

    Carmel valley road or N Torrey Pines Road has free street parking.

    Since we have kids, I wanted to drive up and park near the trails. Never done that before but I've seen people do it. How likely will I get a parking space on a Saturday morning?

    It's luck of the draw, especially on a Saturday. Unless you are there by 5AM. I THINK you have to pay 20 dollars to get close to the trails. I am not sure because I park by the residential area or close to the beach parking. I think you will be ok… 

    Dogs off leash?

    No dogs allowed on or off leash. Halfway up the beach to Del Mar, dogs are allowed.

    Are the hiking trails open? (11/15)

    Yes, they are! I was there just yesterday :)

    Is it open (7/25 plan to visit)? Just wanted to try the trails this weekend.

    The beach is open! However the state park and trails are still closed.

    Is this hiking trail open yet?

    Yes they are! 😀

    Can you swim here?

    Not that I'm aware of.

    When will parking open at the glider port?

    They've always been open.

    Can you camp overnight?

    No.

    Are these path stroller friendly?

    Some of them are yes, but you have to park at the top of the reserve, not the bottom. Very steep hill from the beach area to the top where all the paths are.

    Is there any shade at this beach?

    Yes there is at the top of the hike where there is a separate parking lot and big trees and a nature preserve. The entire hike itself is pretty short and you have an ocean breeze so the sun is usually not much of an issue.

    Are there bike trails?

    I don't believe so .. just walking | running trails .

    Any hotel recommendations nearby? Something nice but moderately priced and a short drive to the reserve?

    VRBO or airbnb

    Are dogs allowed on the trails?

    No, unfortunately, dogs are not allowed

    Is it a stroller friendly type of trail?

    There's no sidewalk--it's mostly a massive sandy beach--so putting a baby in a backpack carrier would be better.

    Can you camp out on the beach?

    No.

    View All 26 Questions

    Review Highlights - Torrey Pines State Reserve

    My favorite spots are the red butte and the beach trail which leads from the top of the cliffs down to the beach.

    Mentioned in 141 reviews

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    Black's Beach - Cliffs down to the beach

    Black's Beach

    4.4(489 reviews)
    2.7 miLa Jolla Shores

    TikTok took me to Blacks Beach for a hike and I had no idea what I signed up for…read more The hike itself was actually scary but so fun. We took the route that involved a little rock climbing, super slippery paths, and at one point we literally crossed a narrow plank with ropes and I was questioning my life choices lol. But once we finally got down to the beach... wow. I was SO excited. All that hard work actually paid off. The beach was beautiful and it felt so rewarding getting there. Then we started walking further down and suddenly... I realized there were a bunch of completely naked people everywhere. I had NO idea Blacks Beach was a nude beach. I was shocked for like 2 seconds and then started laughing because out of all the things I expected after surviving that hike... that was not one of them. 10/10 experience. Scary, fun, unexpected, and definitely memorable.

    A great place to be on a sunny day. The hike down the cliff is a bit of a hike but well worth it…read moreand actually its a fantastic leg workout. The beach is really clean with most beach goers carrying there picnic trash back up. Volley ball games usually take place in the summer. The views are not to be missed. The sun reflecting on the water in the late afternoons is mesmerizing so bring your best sun glasses & suntan lotions. For the shy person the RIGHT side as you climb down the cliff facing the water is for those who prefer bathing suits, Speedos & bikinis. To the LEFT side of the beach facing the water is clothing optional. Usually its a bit farther. Great that nobody bothers you & its a safe space for that all over tan. Sometimes beverages are sold on the beach discreetly, however, I'd recommend bringing your own & lots of water. Its a good idea toto bring food, snacks, fruit and sandwiches... insect repellant if needed. *True, sometimes it is a bit overcast so its best to check the weather report before leaving. *Free parking is available above the beach. Please be considerate while parking in an organized fashion in consideration of others. Thanks. Enjoy the beach & surf!!

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    Black's Beach - Gliders over the beach

    Gliders over the beach

    Black's Beach - Too funny

    Too funny

    Black's Beach - Cliffs overlooking the beach

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    La Jolla Shores - Thanksgiving '25

    La Jolla Shores

    4.4(569 reviews)
    4.9 miLa Jolla Shores, La Jolla

    This beach along with the adjacent Kellogg Park made for a lovely stop during our recent visit to…read moreSan Diego and La Jolla. The parking lot did not have space available on a Monday afternoon, but we found free street parking in the neighborhood a couple blocks away. Restrooms and wash stations were located near the playground and grassy field, and lifeguards were on duty with the beach crowd stretching for miles on this warm summer afternoon. We walked toward the sand castle house and settled where it was a little more secluded from all the loud families with kids near the main park. And the water was nice and warm with gentle waves as we swam and waded along the shore to cool off from the humidity and heat of the sun. We also relaxed and napped on our beach mat while picnicking in the sand under the shade of an umbrella we brought, a life saver with the sunshine beaming from above. The La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve are cool features to this beach area as well, though snorkeling gear is helpful for exploring in more depth. They seem to offer kayak rentals on site too, with plenty of visitors enjoying watersports while we were there. The place was more congested than we had hoped on a weekday, but all in all, we still had a good time.

    Had to squeeze one last beach trip in before heading to the airport! I was visiting early August…read moreand read that this time of year friendly leopard sharks come up to shallow water for breeding season so I had to check it out! I heard a good spot was near the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club near The Marine Room and this turned out to be true! Took my snorkel gear and saw a ton of leopard sharks and stingrays so close to the beach! There was plenty of people around and lots of groups trying to catch a glimpse of the leopard sharks as well. The beach had a ton of people but it was very safe. There was a long wall where people were leaving some belongings while they were in the water so I also left my towel, shoes, etc there and I had no issues with my stuff even though I was by myself so I didn't have anyone to watch it. I also lucked out and got a parking spot right in front of the beach even though cars were circling quite a bit to find spots. I actually was going straight from the beach to the airport so I had my suitcase and all my belongings in the trunk of my car and it was safe while I was at the beach all day (a miracle for someone coming from the Bay Area LOL). The beach also had lots of rinse of stations so I was able to rinse off, get dry, change, and head to the airport!

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    La Jolla Shores - La Jolla Shores

    La Jolla Shores

    La Jolla Shores - La Jolla Shores

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    La Jolla Tide Pools - La Jolla Tide Pools

    La Jolla Tide Pools

    4.5(33 reviews)
    6.1 miLa Jolla

    La Jolla Tide Pools is a must visit when in the area of La Jolla. Parking may be a challenge…read moreespecially on weekends with crowds of tourists. Accessible down a flight of stairs, note there a few stairs but the wooden stairs are safer. The other stairs has uneven steps and the hand rail isn't securely fixed :( The best time to visit is when it's low tide, meaning the waves crash into the shore from a distant thereby allowing people to do more adventurous explorations. You can discover, learn and appreciate sea-life flora and fauna. So far, the maintenance crews and visitors and have done a great job keeping the area clean. La Jolla Cove's population of sea lions have not moved down to the tide pools area, so the area has an ocean air freshness. I absolutely love the beach, breathing the exhilarating fresh air and I am always amazed by the surrounding beauty. Truly Wonderful. Recommend

    Roll Tide A small…read moresection of the CA coastline, situated between Whispering Sands Beach and Wipeout Beach, and is a premier destination for tidepooling action and superlative views. The Good: * Typical Cali coast views that we can't get enough of. * Lots of fun little nooks and crannies to explore. * Walking distance to a lot of restaurants and shops. * Free! The Meh: * Obviously, for the best experience here, you'll want to check the tide charts before coming and be aware the best low tides are btwn Dec & March. https://www.usharbors.com/harbor/california/la-jolla-ca/tides/ * No dogs allowed in the tide pools, but leashed dogs are OK on the trails above. The Ugly: * Street parking only, and it's tough to find at certain times of day. Like I mentioned above, maybe it's easier to park in town and just walk a bit, but you do you, boo. *Careful of the black algae on the rocks. That shit is slippery AF, son! Ask me how I know. 0_o The Good news is you won't see it coming. (: Conclusion: Fun place to get some nature in and family time with the kids.

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    La Jolla Tide Pools - La Jolla Tide Pools

    La Jolla Tide Pools

    La Jolla Tide Pools - La Jolla Tide Pools

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    La Jolla Cove - Brandt's cormorant

    La Jolla Cove

    4.6(1.6k reviews)
    5.4 miLa Jolla

    La Jolla Cove is San Diego's most famous beach, where you can see a vast number of seals and sea…read morelions. You can hear constant barking sounds at La Jolla Cove, and the source of this noise is the California sea lion. To distinguish between a seal and a sea lion, look at the ears: seals have only ear holes, whereas sea lions have visible, protruding ears. You will find far more seals and sea lions on land than swimming in the water, as they need to spend at least seven to eight hours a day out of the water to rest and regulate their body temperature. What makes La Jolla Cove special is that humans and animals share the beach; people, seals, and sea lions all swim in the same waters. Wildflowers bloom around the beach, and the area is home to a variety of wildlife, including cormorants and seagulls, alongside the seals and sea lions.

    This was such a cool place to stop. You're able to be close with the sea lions and seals and get a…read moregreat view of the wildlife. It's a bit crowded with people, but with it being a free stop with no charge for parking and plentiful with animals it makes it all worth it. We've made the drive down from Oregon and stopped at sea lion caves, where we were charged to view them, and this out did those stops by far. Highly recommend. An added bonus is the birds flying by so close, it almost makes you feel like you're in a Jurassic Park filming.

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    La Jolla Cove - "I always feel like somebody is watching me" -- Brown Pelicans | IG @moniquedao

    "I always feel like somebody is watching me" -- Brown Pelicans | IG @moniquedao

    La Jolla Cove - 7.3.25 Experiencing the sea lions live with our family

    7.3.25 Experiencing the sea lions live with our family

    La Jolla Cove - Walking down the sidewalk near the cove.

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    Walking down the sidewalk near the cove.

    La Jolla Trail - Along the hiking path.

    La Jolla Trail

    4.1(214 reviews)
    3.0 miLa Jolla Shores

    Tried this hike a couple of times. Short and sweet with some scrambling/ mildly challenging areas…read more Beautiful views and ends in blacks beach. Lots of paragliders that glide off glider port nearby.

    I had heard a lot about the "Ho Chi Minh Trail" and finally tried it over a recent weekend. I am…read morenot sure who discovered or developed this hike, but it felt like, "Hey, let's follow the natural erosion of the land and create a shortcut to Black's Beach from the residences in La Jolla Farms." The number of people who were either barefooted or were wearing flip flops to make this trek really surprised me. I was wearing hiking shoes and was fortunate to only pick up a couple of minor scrapes along the way. The views of the canyons, the bluffs, and the hang gliders overhead were very beautiful so there were plenty of photo opportunities. I felt the hassle to descend towards the beach was not worth the short journey. The path was only about 3/4 mile in distance one way which I completed in about 20 minutes. Trekking poles were not at all useful, and they became a hindrance in a few areas. This was a hike in which you should NOT bring children or dogs. If you have a fear of heights, then you may also want to think twice before trying this trail. There were at least two or three very treacherous spots in which a slip could lead to a nasty fall with a concussion, sprain, fracture, or even death as an outcome. There are many other hiking locations in San Diego County that are more rewarding than the La Jolla Trail.

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    La Jolla Trail - Beach shore at the end of the hike

    Beach shore at the end of the hike

    La Jolla Trail - A doable hike with some challenging spots

    A doable hike with some challenging spots

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    Torrey Pines State Reserve - parks - Updated August 2026

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