Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

The Park is currently OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS IN SERVICES AND/OR FACILITIES.

Please check the hours of operation.

Current Advisories and Notices

Accessibility Improvements and Utilities Upgrade

Park Hours

Gates open at 07:15 a.m. and close at Sunset.
The Visitor Center is currently closed until March 2026 due to contsruction

Trail Conditions:

All Trails CLOSED

TP Extension: Maragret Fleming Trail is closed. ETA for re-opening 2025

Contact Information

(858) 755-2063

Are dogs Allowed?

Reservation Availability

No upcoming camping/lodging reservations at this time.

Additional Reservation Info

About Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

State Natural Reserves have outstanding or unusual natural or scenic values. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a wilderness island in an urban sea. This fragile environment is the home of our nation's rarest pine tree - Pinus torreyana. Once this tree covered a larger area. It now grows only here and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast near Santa Barbara. The park preserves not only the trees, but also one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California.

View the Park Accessibility Information

Maps and Park Directions

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located between La Jolla and Del Mar, California, north of San Diego. From Hwy 5, exit on Carmel Valley Road and drive west for about 1.5 miles till you reach the Coast Highway 101. Turn left and proceed along the beach for about a mile. The park entrance is on your right just before the highway begins to climb the Torrey Pines grade, where you can pay to park. You can also enter the park from the North Beach parking lot. From Hwy 5 going southbound, exit on Carmel Valley Road and drive west for about 1.5 miles until you reach McGonigle Road. Turn left on McGonigle Road to enter the parking lot where you can self-pay to park and walk to the reserve by walking towards the beach and going underneath the bridge to access a ramp that will lead you to a sidewalk to get to the trails at the Reserve.

From Hwy 5 northbound, exit Genesee Ave and turn left. Continue on Genesee Ave, veering to the right onto N. Torrey Pines Road for approximately 4.5 miles. Turn left when you reach the bottom of the grade to enter the park. To access the north end of Torrey Pines State Beach, continue northbound on N. Torrey Pines Road until you reach Carmel Valley Road. Turn right until you reach McGonigle Road then turn right into the parking lot.

To access the trails at the Extension, free public parking is allowed near the trail heads.

Brochures

News and Events

Upcoming Events

Feb 7: Beach Walks at Torrey Pines State Beach

Feb 8: Beach Walks at Torrey Pines State Beach

Feb 8: Mindful Walks

All Events for Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Passes Information

This park accepts the following passes:

List of all California State Park Passes

Activities and Facilities

EV Information

E-Bike Locations
EV Charger Locations

Other Facilities

Parking

Restrooms / Showers

Restrooms

Drinking Water Available

Day-Use Activities & Facilities

Historical/Cultural Site

Env. Learning/Visitor Center

Exhibits and Programs

Guided Tours

Interpretive Exhibits

Vista Point

Nature & Wildlife Viewing

Museums

Family Programs

Geocaching

Trail Use

Hiking Trails

Concessionaires

Parking

LAZ Parking

Mobile Food Truck

Curbside Bites

Accessibility Improvements and Utilities Upgrade

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve will have limited access from November 3, 2025 through February 2026 due to a planned construction project. The park road, upper parking lots, and all trails within the main reserve will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians.

The Extension trails, South Beach and North Beach parking lots, and Torrey Pines State Beach will remain open. Please note that California State Parks will not be offering extensions or refunds for the California Explorer Day Use Anuual Pass.

This multi-phase construction project will provide much needed utility improvements, upgrades to the comfort station, and accessibility improvements, including new parking stalls, paved pedestrian paths, and site amenities.

Full access to the Reserve is expected by March 1, 2026. Phase II of the project is scheduled to begin in August or September 2026.

For updates, please visit Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve or follow us at @castateparkssd on Instagram or CA State Parks – San Diego Coast District on Facebook. Thank you for your support while we complete these important improvements. Have any questions? See our FAQs webpage here!

Join us for guided beach walks at Torrey Pines State Beach!

Check our News and Events calendar for weekly meeting times.

Meet at the South Beach stairs, and stroll 1–2 miles of shoreline as we chat about beach safety,local wildlife, geology, and whatever the tide brings in!

Welcome to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve!

California has 280 state park units and contains the largest and most diverse recreational, natural and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency in the nation. Only 16 have the "reserve status". A natural reserve status is assigned to an area of importance, and typically is one that contains threatened plants, animals, habitats, or unique geological formations. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a wilderness island in an urban sea. This fragile environment is the home of our nation's rarest pine tree - Pinus torreyana. Once this tree covered a larger area. It now grows only here and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast near Santa Barbara. The park preserves not only the trees, but also one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California. The reserve features high broken cliffs and deep ravines on headlands overlooking the ocean. Hikers can follow trails through stands of wind-sculpted pines. A picturesque, pueblo-style structure that served as a restaurant when it was built in 1923 houses the visitor center, featuring interpretive displays. The reserve's rich plant community features wildflowers in the spring and visitors can see the California quail gathered in coveys in the early mornings of fall and winter. For a deep dive on the history and ecology of the reserve, visit the Torrey Pines Docent Society Nature Center and Reserve History pages.