Basic Information

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. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a day-use park only. There is no overnight camping facility. Picnics are permitted on the beach only. No food or drinks (other than water) are permitted in the Reserve (i.e., the mesa above the beach and the Extension). There is no place in the park to buy food or drinks. Hikers are advised to bring and carry drinking water on the trails - especially in the summertime.

Photo by Todd Nordness

Location

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. 
12600 North Torrey Pines Road, San Diego CA 92037
GPS: 32.92183, -117.2497

Phone

(858) 755-2063

Mailing Address:

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
California State Parks San Diego Coast District North Sector
2680 Carlsbad Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92009

Fees

There is a facility use fee for any vehicle entering Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. As of October 2011, the fee collection process is operated by a concessionaire, LAZ.
Fees paid at the South Beach kiosk are valid for both the South Beach parking lot and the parking lots in the Reserve at the top of the mesa. A separate fee structure applies at the North Beach parking lot. Day use passes or camping receipts from other state parks are NOT accepted for admission to Torrey Pines lots.

South Beach/Reserve lots: $10 Mon-Thurs, $12-15 Fri-Sun and Holidays
Bus with 10-24 people: $50 all days
Bus with 25+ people: $100 all days (Groups of 25 or more must make arrangements in advance.)
Hourly rates may be available at North Beach lot ONLY:
Monday-Thursday, 0-1 hr $4.00; 1-2 hrs $6.00; all day $12
Friday -Sunday and holidays, 0-1 hr $6.00; 1-2 hrs $8.00, 2-3 hrs $10, 3-4 hrs $12,
     All day $15.
 
Reservations and permits are required for groups and special events. Special events info
 

The Disabled Discount Pass (DDP) is accepted at Torrey Pines.

The DDP fee is one-half of the day use flat  fee in effect,  for example if the daily  fee is $12, then the DDP fee is $6.    The DDP card must be displayed on the vehicle dash along with the fee receipt. DDP  fees may be paid at the kiosk or the automated pay station. If you are disabled and would like to obtain a DDP go to State Parks website at www.parks.ca.gov  and submit an application as directed.

Annual pass: $195 (valid throughout the State Park system) Annual Passes are for sale at the Torrey Pines Visitor Center between 11 AM-1 PM daily for CASH or CHECK only or order online: State Park Online Payment
 

The Golden Bear passes are being phased out for use at Torrey Pines.

Torrey Pines Association Annual Pass: As of April 3, 2013 all renewals and new pass sales have been suspended due to a statewide parks audit.  Go to the TPA website for more information.

If there is no staff person in the kiosk at the park entrance, the parking fee must be paid at the Automated Pay Machine located in the South Beach parking lot.
 

Operating Hours

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is open daily at 7:15 AM. Closing time is approximately at sunset. Sunset varies from 5 PM in the winter to 8 PM in the summer. See San Diego sunset time for approximate closing time. Actual closing time is posted each day at the Reserve entrances and parking lots and updated here.

The Visitor Center hours are daily 9 AM to 6 PM during summer season and 10 AM to 4 PM during spring, fall & winter .

Interpretive Services & Guided Nature Walks

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 smoking and fires are prohibited in the Reserve. Smoking is permitted at the beach.

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 in the Reserve or on the beach.

Dogs and horses are prohibited from the Reserve and from the beach.

No bicycles. motorcycles. or any other vehicles except baby strollers and wheelchairs are permitted on any trail.

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.

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.

Updated 04/12/2013                                                                                  

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