Torrey Pines

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=658 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torrey_Pines_State_Beach Torrey Pines State Beach is a coastal beach located in the San Diego, California community of Torrey Pines, and is located south of Del Mar and north of La Jolla. Coastal erosion from the adjacent Torrey Pines State Reserve makes for a picturesque landscape. It is a local favorite among surfers and remains a quintessential Southern California beach. Occurrences of bioluminescence have been noted. The beach is at the bottom of 300 foot sandstone cliffs of white and golden stone, with a greenish layer sometimes visible at the very bottom. At the north end of the beach the cliffs ends and Los Peñasquitos Lagoon, a salt marsh estuary, empties into the ocean. A county highway crosses the entrance, with limited free parking along the beach.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and State Beach Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Land of carved sandstone, evergreen chaparral, and spring wildflowers, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve preserves America’s California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (858) 755-2063. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Torrey Pines SNR and SB 12600 N. Torrey Pines Road San Diego, CA 92037 (858) 755-2063 © 2006 California State Parks (Rev. 2015) rarest pine tree. T orrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a majestic wilderness in the middle of a dense urban area. Its fragile environment of high, broken cliffs and deep ravines overlooking the sea is home to one of the world’s rarest pine trees­  —  Pinus torreyana. Torrey pines are believed to be the remnants of an ancient woodland that once flourished along the southern California coast, but now they grow naturally only on this small strip of San Diego coastline and on Santa Rosa Island. Here, trees cling to the face of the crumbling sandstone or stand tall in sheltered canyons. Torrey Pines State Beach, adjacent to the reserve, stretches four and one-half miles from Del Mar past Los Peñasquitos Marsh Natural Preserve to Torrey Pines Mesa. The sandy beach invites swimming, surfing, and fishing. Low tide  —  when the red-tinged bluff is reflected in the mirrorlike expanse of wet sand —  is a good time to stroll the beach. Across the highway from the beach, Los Peñasquitos Marsh Natural Preserve provides a protected breeding ground for many species of birds and fish. south to Enseñada, Mexico, east to the dunes of the Colorado River, and north through the Warner Springs Valley to what is now Oceanside. They lived in small dwellings and shade ramadas made of willow, oak, manzanita, deerweed, tule, chamise, and other local plants. The Kumeyaay were seasonal hunters and gatherers. They collected roots, berries, nuts, and seeds  —  some of which were used for medicinal purposes  —  and practiced PARK HISTORY limited horticulture. Using Human History fishhooks and nets, they caught a variety of sea animals, and picked The Kumeyaay people up grunion, shellfish, and mollusks who lived at Torrey Pines from the beaches. The Kumeyaay traveled in bands of extended Kumeyaay olla (pot) hunted such game as rabbits, quail, and families throughout the coast, deer with bows and arrows, snares, and mountains, and desert foothills. Their throwing sticks. Today, descendants of the lands extended from the Pacific Ocean, Kumeyaay still reside in many of the same areas, including San Diego County. Kumeyaay dwelling Sketch by J.W. Audubon, 1849 NATURAL HISTORY Nearly a million years of rising and falling seas, heavy rains, and erosion by streams and creeks gradually formed the layered sandstone terraces that make up the present reserve. Some geological formations are more than 45 million years old, and some rocks have traveled from as far away as central Mexico. The continuous motion of the surf creates an ever-changing seascape  —  challenging artists and photographers to record its latest look. Varying elevations have produced habitats that range from salt to fresh water, from coastal strand to sage scrub, from salt marsh to chaparral to conifer woodland. The area’s mild temperatures range from a January low of about 45 degrees to a typical August high of between 75 and 80 degrees. In June and July, coastal fog may last all day, enabling the Torrey pines to survive in this unlikely environment. Photo courtesy of the Scripps College Archives, Denison Library A RARE TREE SAVED Early Spanish explorers named the grove of trees in the area Punto de Los Arboles, or “Point of Trees.” The trees served as a landmark for sailors navigating off the coast. In 1850  —  the year of California’s statehood  —  botanist Charles C. Parry identified this pine as Ellen Browning Scripps a unique species and named it after his friend John Torrey, a leading botanist of that time. When Dr. Parry returned to the area in 1883, he was distressed over the lack of protection for the trees. He urged the San Diego Society of Natural History to save them from extinction. In 1885, San Diego officials offered a $100 bounty for anyone caught vandalizing a Torrey pine tree. Other threats included clear-cutting the trees to use the land for cattle grazing. The San Diego City Council passed an 1899 ordinance that set aside th

No vehicles on trails except baby strollers or wheelchairs. Bicycles may use the paved road, but are only allowed southbound (uphill) between the upper and lower lots. Park only in designated parking lots. Stopping on road shoulders is not permitted. Stay away from the bottom of the cliffs. Rock slides can occur at any time. The Visitor’s Center (the Lodge) offers exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Reserve and nature walks on weekends and holidays at 10 am and 2 pm. All groups of visitors or events must make arrangements at least three weeks in advance before visiting the Reserve. For details, contact Julia Miura at (619)688–3385 or email julia.miura@parks.ca.gov. The Torrey Pines Association funds many projects at the Reserve. We invite you to join us in our ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the rare Torrey pines and their scenic refuge by becoming a member. For more information, visit their website www.torreypines.org 12600 N. Torrey Pines Road, San Diego CA 92037 (858)755–2063 www.parks.ca.gov #inventyouradventure Reserve Information Fire, erosion, and off-trail hiking can damage fragile natural features beyond repair. Be safe, and help us preserve the beauty of Torrey Pines. Stay on trail. Cutting across switchbacks and between trails, going into closed areas, and climbing cliffs ruins the Reserve for everyone. No pets. The Reserve is set aside for native animals. Dogs and other domesticated animals are prohibited. No food in the Reserve. Reduce litter and help keep our animals wild and healthy by eating and picnicking only at the beach. Trash cans and recycling receptacles are found only at the beach parking lot. No alcohol. Alcohol is prohibited. No drones. To prevent possible resource damage fron accidents and to avoid frightening the native animals, all remote control devices are prohibited. No picking/collecting natural features. Pine cones and flowers must be left to produce seeds to grow new plants and as food for animals. Torrey Pines Trail Guide Please return this trail guide for reuse. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a fragile wilderness island in an urban sea: home of our nation’s rarest pine tree—Pinus torreyana—which is native only here and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast near Santa Barbara. ® Guy Fleming Trail Razor Point Trail 2 1 /3 mile loop Easiest trail, relatively level, forested, along ocean bluffs, sandstone formations, spring wildflowers, drinking water, parking. Parry Grove Trail /2 mile loop Secluded, with steep entry/exit (100+ rugged steps). Few trees due to drought and bark beetle infestations. Native plant garden at trailhead. 1 /2 mile to overlook Dramatic views of gorge, badlands, spring wildflowers. A few picturesque trees. Beach Trail /4 mile to Flat Rock Descends 300 feet to beach level. Final access to beach via stairs. 3 Broken Hill Trail North fork 11/4 miles South fork 11/3 miles Reserve’s longest trail, including access to the beach. Features chaparral, High Point Trail few trees, and scenic 100 yards with steps Panoramic views of reserve, overlook pictured below. ocean, lagoon, and inland. No smoking/open flames. The plants found here are dry and flammable. No amplified music. Respect your fellow hikers and enjoy the sounds of nature while in the Reserve. THE RESERVE CLOSES AT SUNSET torreypines.org torreypine.org All visitors and vehicles must exit. View from Broken Hill overlook Torrey Pines State Beach W Cl os ed REV 3/2017 Torrey Pines Gliderport 2.5 miles South Fork Trail Printed on paper that contains post-consumer recycled Accessible Path Printed on paper that contains post-consumer recycled fibers. Torrey Pines City Golf Course South Fork Overlook ad Viewpoint Stairs Restrooms W Water Fountain North Fork Trail Red Butte West Overlook W W Old Hwy 101 to La Jolla Ranger Station & Visitor CenterMuseum Bike Rack (no bikes allowed on trails) Parking Locked Gate le s Black’s Beach 3/4 mile ne Ro Broken Hill Overlook Broken Hill Trail Be Pi LEGEND Accessible Restroom M rV Flat Rock l Razor Pt Trail rai T h ac Big Basin Yucca Point Razor Point W y High Point re Sorrento Valley Coaster Station 3.5 miles Mar sh Tra il Whitaker Garden EB Scripps Overlook Parry Grove Trail W or South Beach & Reserve ENTRANCE Guy Fleming Trail Hwy to Del Mar & North Beach Parking (858) 755-2063 • www.torreypine.org Torrey Pines State Natur al Reserve® es Oc e an No ll Bik nhi w Do d Pa c if i c T R Cl i f f Ed ge N or th s oa to o ot ic eh