Aug 22 2008
Torrey Pines Gliderport to Torrey Pines State Reserve
Distance: approximately 5.5 miles round trip.
Elevation loss/gain: 330 ft/350 ft
Trailhead and Parking: Dirt parking lot at Torrey Pines Gliderport at 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive. Parking is free.
Direction: From I-5, exit Genesee Ave, then head West. Turn left on North Torrey Pines Road, then right on Torrey Pines Scenic Drive.
Best Time: All year, but low tide is the best. To check for San Diego tide conditions, click here: http://ocean.peterbrueggeman.com/piertide.html
Torrey Pines State Beach from Gliderport
Before starting your steep descent down the beach, take some time first to enjoy the view from Gliderport, whether it is sunny or overcast I always find the view to be awesome. Nice place to stretch and warm up. This place has one of the best views of Torrey Pines overlooking the ocean from atop the cliffs.
Stages of Paragliding
It is also nice watching the paragliders jump off the cliff and then lifted high by the wind. The steady wind coming from the Pacific Ocean that hits the coastal bluff produces an updraft that is the driving force of free flying. If you just enjoy looking down on a nice view and feel the blow of the cool breeze on your skin, this can just be your place to relax instead of going down the beach. However, if you would want to see more and get more exercise, after you are done warming up and taking in the beauty of the surrounding, you can start your steep descent.
Surfers Hiking, Paragliding at Torrey Pines
The trailhead is Southwest of the parking lot. On your way to the trailhead, you will see some signs warning you of the unstable cliff conditions. Torrey Pines is a beauty, but it can also be a beast if we neglect the warning signs. The bluffs can erode any time, so it is always safe to stay on the trail. Also, once you reach the beach, avoid walking close to the cliff as some parts of the the cliff may erode on you. It is always best to play safe. It is best to walk at low tide so that you do not have to walk right next to the cliff, and the awesome beauty of walking at lowtide with the cliffs making reflection on the sand is a sight to behold.
Cliffs Making Reflection on the Sand, Lowtide
When you reach the bottom of the trail, facing the ocean, you turn right and walk North to Torrey Pines State Reserve. At this point, I usually stop from taking pictures and hide my camera, afraid the nude people in the beach may mistake me from taking them pictures. Nudity is unlawful in San Diego, but in this short stretch along Black’s Beach or Torrey Pines City Beach the nudists can freely undress without getting a citation. This section of the beach is not easily accesible though, either they take the steep hike from Gliderport, or the longer but level walk from La Jolla Shores or Torrey Pines State Reserve.
Mussel Mesa
In about a mile or less, you will enter the Mussel Mesa. At this point, nudity is already unlawful. You will see now all clothed hikers, runners and beachgoers, a much nicer view. From here, you continue walking North towards Flat Rock. In maybe half a mile from Mussel Mesa, you will be at Flat Rock. A large, rocky point where you can observe some tide pool life.
Flat Rock at High Tide
At high tide, this rock meets the strong surf of the ocean. At low tide, you can walk on the space between cliff and rock, but at high tide, you have to take the trail near the base of cliff.
Flat Rock at Low Tide
After Flat Rock, you can continue walking North to the end of the sandstone cliffs and then head back South, or take the Beach trail going up the coastal bluff.
Beach Trail
The Beach Trail is less steep than the trail at Gliderport, though the climb may be higher. At the top, you will have again another view of the ocean with the corrugated mudhills on the face of the cliff.
Corrugated Badlands, On top of Beach Trail
When you reach the very top of the hill, take the side walk along the paved road and walk downhill going North. When you reach the base of the cliff, you turn left and walk back South towards Gliderport.
Walking South from Torrey Pines State Beach
On your way up back to Gliderport, either you take the trail where you went down from the parking lot, or you take a much less developed trail, locally known as Ho Chi Minh Trail. This is a steeper, less develop trail up the cliff for alternate route back to the parking lot of Gliderport.
Alternate Trail to Gliderport
When you get back to the top of the cliff, you may want again to just relax and enjoy the cool breeze and the scenery around you.
Torrey Pines State Beach from Gliderport
If you are not up to this hike and wanted a shorter one, you can just take the trail from Gliderport to Black’s Beach, which is 1 mile round trip. Or Gliderport-Black’s Beach-HoChi Minh loop trail, which is approximately 2 miles loop. Or just enjoy the view from the top.
I hope you will enjoy this hike.
So gorgeous, Betchai! I still think you should write a book.
Thanks a lot Kalilea. A book needs a lot of materials, and that is what I do not have. I consider blogging a page at a time
On the other hand, you do write very informative blog and I am learning a lot about stones and gems.
Hi Melissa, thanks. Hmmm, 70 degrees all year? I think that may be exaggeration, but close to that
San Diego has a microclimate weather. The coastal area has the most temperate weather. Winter high is usually in the 60s and low is in the 50s, summer high is in the 70s and low is in the 60s. There is like only 10 degree difference, it is mostly mild. But we do get our share of some hot days and cold days, whenever there is an off shore wind (hot) and cold front from the North. The very low humidity makes the feeling though cooler than what the temperature says. However, as you go farther inland or away from the coast, the temperature warms up, like if it is 70s in the coast, then it is 80s inland. The mountain gets more extreme weather, the coolest part of San Diego probably. Not so hot in the summer, but it is freezing in the winter, they get their share of snow, so it is true that in Southern California you can do both snow skiiing and beach bumming in one day during winter 
. The desert is the hottest, it is in the 100s in the summer, but the night cools down. But winter in the desert is very comfortable in the day (60s or 70s) but could be very cold and also freezing at night. So, if we are talking of only the coastal area of San Diego, yes, the temperature does not fluctuate that much, 60s (Nov- March)-70s (April-October) daytime high, 50s-60s for nightime low.
Hi Mark, thanks. Actually, about reformatting, I was inspired by the reformatting you did in your site. It took me a hard time though, as I am too technically challenged on this.
I think each chute is designed for ones weight, i don’t think you’ll paraglide when there is not enough wind. Or parasailing lang anay, at least, kung hindi ka makaya sang chute, they can reel you in, hihihi.
I can feel the soft breeze, hear the waves crash and seagulls call, smell the salty sea and feel all the tension wash away. It looks like heaven right now! So relaxing.
~Kelly
http://www.30somethingandsearching.today.com/
Thanks, everyone.
Carey, I usually do not appear in the pictures since I am the one taking pictures, hopefully I can get sometime a good picture of myself too :).
Your pictures are amazing! They make me want to pack my bags and head there!
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