At The Backroads

 Life is more than just a beach, at Torrey Pines State Reserve.

Flat Rock, Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego, CA

Of course, we could also not deny the splendid blue water chopping the shoreline, the family friendly atmosphere and the miles of soft sand that Torrey Pines State Beach offers. But here at Torrey Pines, the activities are as diverse as the wonderful sights you’ll see.

Things to Do:

1. Swimming, Surfing and Body Boarding

Pounding Surf, Torrey Pines State Beach

The surf at Torrey Pines is reasonably consistent. There is plenty of space for everyone to spread out. You can always find a quieter place even at the height of summer crowd. For kids who may still be intimidated by pounding surf, there is a peaceful lagoon for them to swim, snorkel and have fun. It may look shallow, but I’ve observed kids getting excited swimming there especially when they tell each other how big is the fish they saw, or how plenty they were.

Swimming Hole for Kids, North Torrey Pines State Beach

2. Wildlife Viewing

Salt Marsh, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

If you are not in a hurry to enjoy the sea and the sand, you can stop at the salt marsh where the birds are having their peaceful rest and their moments with the sand. This is a very nice spot for birdwatching, different species of birds can be seen here. The majority are the sea gulls, some California brown pelicans, egrets, and blue herons. It’s lovely to see the sea gulls swim.

Swimming Gulls, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Or, you can move closer to the ocean, have your telescope ready, and you may just be surprised with the pods of dolphins from afar. Lovely! You can just sit on the sand and marvel at the sights around you.

Location of Salt Marsh and the lagoon: It is by the parking area of North Torrey Pines State Beach. However, if you want to avoid the $8.00 parking or day use fee, you can park on the side street of Carmel Valley, it is just a few steps to the parking lot really! Parking spaces along Carmel Valley Road are ample, unless you came in too late on the most crowded summer day. If you do not mind moving your feet a little bit and give your body its healthy treat of exercise, parking along Carmel Valley Road is a great option. But of course, if you want to pay, just be happy with the thought that you are contributing for the preservation of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

3. Hiking

Beach Trail, Torrey Pines State Reserve

Torrey Pines State Reserve has 8 miles of branching trail on top of the coastal bluff which protects the nation’s rarest pine, the Torrey Pines.

Torrey Pines Lining the Trail at Guy Fleming Trail

The Torrey Pine is a rare Ice Age relic found to grow naturally only in two places on earth: here at Torrey Pines State Reserve, in San Diego and in Santa Rosa Island, one of the Channel Islands National Park. The Torrey Pines found on the exposed coastal bluffs are mostly stunted, with twisted branches because they are exposed to strong wind. But in the eastern facing slope, the Torrey Pines grow a lot taller, more straight, looking like a different specie of pine.

Wind Twisted and Stunted Torrey Pine found along the Exposed Coastal Bluff

Atop the coastal bluff, you can just choose one of the shorter trails, or if you are up to seeing or exercising more, you can combine two or more trails, or you can do all the trails in less than a day and still would have time for the beach. You can add miles to your hike by taking advantage of the free parking on North Torrey Pines Road right next to the ocean, or if you want to extend your hiking distance farther, you can park at Carmel Valley Road and enjoy the scenic salt marsh at the start of your hike.

Here is the link to Torrey Pines State North Reserve website day hiking trails: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=25107

I also hope to post more detailed descriptions and pictures of the different hiking trails atop Torrey Pines State Reserve later. I think both pictures and words work hand in hand in motivating others to hike and move their feet. More to follow on hiking at Torrey Pines.

4. Trail Running and Biking

Trail Running at Guy Fleming Trail, Torrey Pines State Reserve

What is more rewarding when you run or bike but the feel of the cool ocean breeze on your skin? And during spring, the phantasmagoric display of wildflowers will surely inspire you to stop and smell them, then keep on running to see a lot more. The preserve really provides the local San Diegans their little piece of paradise on earth.

 Coastal Spring Wildflowers

The trail for running is the same for hiking, however, biking is limited to the paved paths of Torrey Pines State Reserve, but it sure will give them an uphill thrill.

5. Paragliding and Hangliding

Paragliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport

At Torrey Pines, the wind will carry you up the sky. Paragliding is located at Torrey Pines Gliderport, on 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive.

If you do not know how to free fly, but wanted to feel how it is like to be buoyed up the sky by the wind, you can go on a tandem flight with an instructor. If after free flying, you find that being up in the sky is a wonderful thing to do again and again as a hobby, you maybe interested how to learn free flying, the Gliderport also is a free flying school. For more information, click on the link, http://flytorrey.com/cms/ .

6. Walking/Running at the Beach

Multi-colored Sandstone Cliffs at Torrey Pines

Beach walking/running is very popular activity at Torrey Pines. The walk at low tide is very lovely, with the colored cliffs making reflections on the sand. The sight is so rewarding that you keep on walking to revel on nature’s artistry. The shore of Torrey Pines State Beach is 3 miles long, from the North’s State Beach to Black’s Beach.

Flat Rock at low Tide, Torrey Pines State Beach

A lot of people usually stop at Flat Rock to do some tidepooling, you can find anemone, barnacles, mussels and crabs on the crevices of this rock. After Flat Rock, you can continue walking/running South past Flat Rock,

South of Flat Rock, Torrey Pines State Beach

even until La Jolla Shores if it is low tide. You walk on soft sand, you’ll know you are nearing Black’s Beach when you get to see the piles of rocks.

Rocky Shore along the Southern Portion of Torrey Pines State Beach 

You will just be amazed with how the scenery changes.

Sea Lion gazing at Torrey Pine Cliff

If you get lucky enough, you may even see a sea lion on shore. But if you want to see more seals, La Jolla is the best place for that, which is just the next stop South of Torrey Pines.

7. Golf at Torrey Pines

Perhaps, for a lot of people, when they hear Torrey Pines they think of only the world famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, home of Buick Invitational and 2008 US Open. The golf course sits on top of coastal cliffs overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. For more information on Torrey Pines golfing, click here:  http://www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com/

Clearly, Torrey Pines State Reserve and Beach is not just your any type of beach,

 Relaxing on Top of Coastal Bluff

an escape to Torrey Pines brings you a lot of choices for outdoor activities, and a lot of learning opportunities. This is San Diego’s natural living museum of science and history. It’s a very pretty place, amazing to find such a quiet place within America’s 8^th largest city. Usually, when one thinks of big city, they think of towering buildings competing for the tallest in the world, but here in San Diego, a city is defined differently.

 Wildflower lined Trail, Torrey Pines State Reserve

Despite urbanization, it shows an example that a wide piece of land can be preserved, maintaining the wilderness feel as close as it would have been ages ago. A nature escape, almost a paradise, found within the San Diego City limits. Come visit Torrey Pines, it is our wonderland here in San Diego.

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