Hours
7:15am to Sunset
365 days per year
Fees
$15-$25 per vehicle
Demand-based pricing
Annual passes available
Parking
South Beach Entrance
Also on the mesa near the Lodge and at North Beach
Tides
72°F Trail Information & Maps
12600 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
All groups must contact the Reserve at least three weeks in advance to schedule a field trip.
Visitor Guidelines
Be a Good Citizen at the Reserve and Follow the Rules.
Fire, erosion and off-trail hiking can damage fragile natural features beyond repair. To help preserve natural features, and for your own safety, you must observe these basic rules.
Stay on officially designated trails.
Cutting across switchbacks and between trails, going into closed areas, and climbing cliffs are activities that cause severe environmental damage and can be dangerous. These activities are prohibited.
All natural or historic features are protected by state law.
Do not collect pine cones. Do not pick wildflowers. They must be left to produce seed to grow new plants and as food for animals. Leave plants, animals, and rocks for the next visitor to enjoy.
No picnics are allowed in the Reserve.
You may picnic on the beach. Do not take food or drink (except for water) on any trail except to carry them to the beach. Fires are permitted at the beach in your own BBQ. No fire pits are available. No alcohol is allowed.
No bicycles, motorcycles, or any other vehicles.
Except baby strollers and wheelchairs are permitted on any trail.
Dogs and other domesticated animals are prohibited.
From the Reserve and from the beach.
All smoking and fires are prohibited in the Reserve.
Smoking is prohibited at the beach.
Park only in designated parking lots.
Stopping on road shoulders is not permitted.
Keep small children with an adult at all times.
The cliffs and canyons can be dangerous places.
COVID-19 Guidelines
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is Fully Open
State Parks will continue to use a monitor and adapt strategy to meet any new guidance it may receive from local and state public health officials as COVID-19 is still present and still deadly, especially for the elderly, immune-compromised and the unvaccinated.
Masks Required Indoors
Current state guidance requires that masks must be worn in all indoor public settings, such as museums and visitor centers, irrespective of vaccine status through February 15, 2022.
Stay Clean: Be prepared.
Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.
What is open now?
All hiking trails, the park road, and the Extension trails are open.
Parking and restrooms are available at South Beach Lot, North Beach Lot, and the upper reserve.
Only chemical toilets are available at the upper reserve and North Beach Lot.
What is currently closed?
Visitor Center
Museum & Shop
Hours
10am to 4pm
Guided Walks
@10am Weekends & Holidays
Staffed by the Torrey Pines Docent Society, the Visitor Center is the best place to learn about our wonderful interpretive programs and plan your visit to the Reserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there trails in the Reserve with wheelchair access?
No. Currently most trails do not meet ADA standards. However, we are working to bring some trails up to ADA standards. The Discovery Trail (sign with map just to the right as you reach the Visitor Center) has wheelchair access. Also, the Whitaker Garden (with many plant information signs) near the entrance to the Parry Grove Trail is accessible after a short sandy slope at the entrance, which may require assistance.
Does Torrey Pines have wheelchair access to the beach?
No. However, a beach (balloon tire) wheelchair is available at both the North and South parking lot kiosks.
Can I bring my service dog to the Reserve?
Yes. Service and guide dogs (working only) are allowed at the Reserve, on the beach and in the Visitor Center (Lodge). We do request that you notify the entrance station or a ranger, on the day of your visit, if you are going to be in the Reserve or on the beach.
We would like the animal to be identified with a blanket or tag, so that it is easily identified as a service animal. This helps reduce the number of calls to the rangers and will reduce the number of visitors who may tell you "dogs are not allowed".
To help eliminate the potential of exotic plant seeds being brought in from the dog we ask that the dog be freshly brushed.
How can I get to the Reserve using public transportation?
North County Transit Bus 101 stops at the beach level. To reach the upper Reserve, get off at the National University stop and walk in from the Reserve's South Entrance.
Are there rattlesnakes in the Reserve?
Torrey Pines has rattlesnakes as well as gopher snakes and racers. Snakes often bask on sunny trails. Please be alert and keep children with you. A snake will not bite unless provoked.
Can I camp at Torrey Pines State Beach?
No. Camping is not allowed at the Reserve. The nearest beach camping areas are San Elijo State Beach (760-753-5091) or Carlsbad State Beach (760-438-3143). Or call the California State Parks reservations 1-800-444-7275.
What are those black "Chinese lanterns" hanging in the trees?
These pheromone-containing traps are used to monitor the bark beetle, which attacks Torrey pines. This is one of the many projects funded by TPC to protect the Reserve.
Can I call the Reserve?
Is the Torrey pine a protected species?
Natural groves of Torrey pines are protected on Santa Rosa Island by the National Park Service and at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve by California State Parks. Outside those boundaries, local ordinances apply.
In the City of San Diego, no tree on public right of way can be pruned or removed without a permit.
The City of Del Mar has somewhat stricter guidelines that extend to private property for protected trees like Torrey pines (see Del Mar Ordinance 23.50).
§63.07 Destruction, Injury of Torrey Pines Trees — Prohibited
That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to cut, injure or destroy any trees known as the “Pinus Torreyana” growing upon Pueblo Lots Nos. 1332, 1337 and 1338 or any other public lots or lands, belonging to and within the corporate limits of the City of San Diego. (Incorp. 1–22–1952 by O–5046 N.S.)
