The Perfect Day at Torrey Pines, Already Planned!
The Perfect Day at Torrey Pines, Already Planned!
Torrey Pines State Reserve is a local treasure. Home to the rarest pine tree in all of America, people from near and far come to hike the trails and explore the beach. You can easily come for a few hours of hiking, but with so much to do and see, why not make a day out of it? Here’s our itinerary for how to do just that.
Fuel up at breakfast.
With the active day ahead of you, you want your body to be fueled. If you’re coming from the north, we recommend hitting Pacifica Breeze Cafe in nearby Del Mar (they have wicked breakfast potatoes!) or stay within La Jolla by trying out the fantastic acai bowls or eggs florentine of the Bella Vista Social Club and Caffe at UCSD.
Arrive early for easier parking.
The earlier you come, the smoother finding a spot for your car will be. Pay to park in the paid lot or find a spot further up the road and walk in.
Pick a trail.
Decide what level of hike you’re going for, whether that’s more calf-burning hills or more relaxed. Learn about each of the trails at Torrey Pines and their difficulty level at our Torrey Pines State Reserve Page.
Bring equipment for the beach.
You can hike right out onto the sand or hike and return to your car to grab gear for the beach. Bring bathing suits. Surf boards. Boogie boards. The latest novel. Whatever it is you need for the ultimate beach day! After a morning of hiking, splashing in the cool Pacific will never have felt so good.
Picnic lunch.
We recommend enjoying lunch on the sand. Pack a picnic lunch before you head out for the day and leave it in a cooler in your car. That way, when you go to grab your beach equipment, you can grab your ready-to-eat meal at the same time.
Stay for sunset.
As it begins to darken, don’t head home yet! You’ll want to stay to watch the sun go down. The pictures you’ll snap will be worth it alone.
Not ready to head in for the night?
After packing up and heading back to your car, those still energized will be ready to keep the adventure going. There’s always plenty of entertainment going on in La Jolla, from comedy shows to live music. Learn more about what to do in the evening at our Entertainment Page.
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