Located at the Northwest end of San Diego, within the city limits, Torrey Pines offers you over 2000 wild and natural acres.  Along with the trees of  Torrey Pines, there's a visitor center, miles and  miles of trails, miles of beaches, and a lagoon that's a vital area for seabirds. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located within San Diego city limits and yet remains one of the wildest stretches of land on our Southern California coast!

The State Preserve of Torrey Pines not only preserves the trees but the salt marshes and waterfowl refuges as well.  The Torrey Pines State Beach here stretches nearly four miles, from Del Mar to the sandstone  cliffs of Torrey Pines Mesa. Torrey Pines State 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.

Also found here is Blacks Beach, located at the  base of the 300 foot cliffs.  The cliffs here offer paragliding, remote control gliding, and even hang gliding. There are 8 miles of trails, a visitor center, and guided nature walks on weekends and holidays. At the north end of Blacks Beach, clothing is optional.  To be on the safe side, always read the signs and follow the rules of the beach. Torrey Pines prohibits dogs anywhere within the reserve and beach boundaries (even within a vehicle).

With plenty to offer, Torrey Pines State Preserve is a great addition to the already vast area of San Diego.  You can visit here from San Diego, as it's  a short drive away.  Torrey Pines has great beaches and plenty of trails for you to see.  As a family
trip, Torrey Pines is a great place to spend the afternoon on your once in a lifetime vacation.