Torrey Pines State Park

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Torrey Pines State Park
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Torrey Pines State Park

Torrey Pines State Reserve is a coastal state park located in the San Diego, California community of La Jolla, California.

Located off U.S. Route 101, the Park consists of a plateau with cliffs that overlook Torrey Pines State Beach. A series of trails within the park offer attractions for hikers and beach-goers, and a small museum sits at the top. Many different kinds of wildlife and flora are found within the park, including bobcats, foxes, cacti, coastal chapparal, and the Torrey Pine.

From the cliffs or many places along the beach, it is possible to see La Jolla to the south and Del Mar to the north. During whale migrations, it is sometimes possible to see whales from the cliffs. At the southern end of the beach is a large rock that projects into the ocean, called Flat Rock. South of this rock can be found San Diego's unofficial nude beach, Blacks Beach.

Torrey Pines State Beach is located at North Torrey Pines Road. Take the Carmel Valley Road exit off of I-5 heading north from San Diego. Park for free along 101 to the north and then walk south to the beach. Or pay a small fee and park high above the beach on the cliffs to enjoy the hike down to the sparkling Pacific Ocean.