Torrey Pines State Reserve/La Jolla
Torrey Pines State Reserve, La Jolla Cove and shore, La Jolla Downtown
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Duration: 3-6 hours depending if you are doing a hike
Distance: 12 miles (6.5 miles without hike)/ 19km (10.6 km). A combination of walking and driving. Easy to combine with the Mission Beach and Pacific Beach hike
Starting the day at the northern city limits of San Diego gives you the choice between a hike along the shore, a beach day in La Jolla or a sightseeing tour through this upscale Hispanic-styled neighborhood. Getting there: San Diego is a city easy to hike but getting to all the nice spots calls for a car taking you from A to B. From Del Mar: Follow HWY 1 to Torrey Pines State Beach (on your right). Enter the parking lot to your right and drive to the end of the lot. Continue on Torrey Pines Park Road until you approach the visitor center. |
From Mission Bay: Take Sea World Drive to I-5 and exit at Genesee Ave on I-5. Make a left at the end of the ramp and follow the road until Genessee Ave is merging into Torrey Pines Rd. Make a left into Torrey Pines Park Road (behind the golf course).
From downtown: Use I-5 North and exit at Genesee Ave. Make a left at the end of the ramp and follow the road until Genessee Ave merges into Torrey Pines Rd. Make a left into Torrey Pines Park Road. From Point Loma: Follow Nimitz Blvd to HWY 8. From HWY 8 change onto I-5 North.Exit at Genesee Ave. Make a left at the end of the ramp and follow the road until Genessee Ave merges into Torrey Pines Rd. From Coronado: Take route 75 (4th Ave) over Coronado Bay Bridge towards I-5 North. Make a left at the end of the ramp and follow the road until Genessee Ave merges into Torrey Pines Rd. If you want to go to La Jolla only and skip Torrey Pines State Park, exit at La Jolla Village Drive and follow Torrey Pines Rd south. The road is leading you to the town center between Prospect and Kline Street. |
1st stop: Southern Torrey Pines State Reserve - http://www.torreypine.org/
Start your morning in San Diego with a nice coastal hike through the state park. The community kept the park in its origin condition since San Diego County was developed in the early 20th century. 8 different trails in the southern part are leading you through the park’s wilderness, along a cliff plateau overlooking long beaches and a lagoon. On your hike you will see several Torrey Pines, one of rarest in the world. Next to the state park the pine is only growing on Santa Rosa Island (Channel Islands).
If you are lucky you might see some gray whales and dolphins patroling the coastline. Make sure to hike the southern park since the northern part doesn’t lead you to the shoreline and the scenic overlooks.
To keep the park as natural as possible no overnight stay is allowed by the park management and it’s forbidden to carry drinks or food, except water. You can combine the 8 trails to a nice mix of easy, moderate and even strenuous parts. The easiest trails are the Guy Fleming Trail, a 2/3-mile (1.1 km) loop and the discovery trail that is a wheel chair accessible ½ mile (800 meters loop).
2nd stop: La Jolla - http://www.lajollabythesea.com/
The upscale seaside resort was officially founded in 1850 when this area was incorporated into the city of San Diego.
La Jolla is famous for its scenic oceanfront that is lined by sandy beaches and rocky coves. Its beautiful city center around Prospect Street is built in a Californian Mission style and worth a visit.
If you hiked Torrey Pines State Park in the morning you only have to follow Torrey Pines Rd south to enter the city center.
If you want to relax a on the beach after the hike make a right into La Jolla Shores Drive that is located on the opposite of UC San Diego. After passing more UC buildings turn right into El Paseo Grande and start looking for parking. The area is usually packed but you might find a spot at El Paseo Grande or Camino del Oro further down the street. The La Jolla Shores offer a long sandy beach and one of the best beginner surfspot in the area. If you are looking for kajak and surfboard rentals or surf schools continue to Avenida de la Playa, which is north of the parking lot.
After a rest on the beach you should be re-energized for another 3-mile sightseeing walk (about 5km) through La Jolla. Drive to the corner of Prospect Place and Park Row and start looking for parking.
Those who don’t want to walk the whole distance down to the popular La Jolla Cave can drive down to the Coastal Blvd. However, the following 1.5 – 2 hrs walk let you explore La Jolla Cove and the coastline in more detail and later leads back to the downtown district with its historic buildings.
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The walk starts at the steps at the corner of Prospect Place and Park Row. The steps are leading you down a small coastal path. After 1 mile (1.6 km) you come along La Jolla Cove a popular spot for a picnic, scuba diving and snorkeling. The cove is part of the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve and usually packed with tourists and hundreds of pelicans. The cave is accessible through the Cave Store on your left. After paying an admission you can access a stairwell that leads you through a lighted tunnel down to the main chamber of Sunny Jim Cave. The cave got its name because it looks like a male with a pointed nose and hair and was nicknamed Sunny Jim. The Cave Store is also renting snorkel equipment in case you want to join the masses at the cove. |
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Continue south along the promenade towards Scribbs Park, a recreation area at the shore. The park was named after a teacher and journalist who gave several parts of her property to the city.
From here you have panoramic views over the ocean and can watch the waves crashing against the rocks. At the far right of the park underneath the outlook are the remains of the former Alligator Head, a natural bridge that was washed out by the tides. Until the 70’s its form looked like an alligator sticking out of the rock. But its arm (‘neck’) that was connecting the cliff with the rock was destroyed by a storm. The park is a nice location to watch the sunset in case you are staying until the evening in La Jolla.
Further down the coastal trail follows Children’s Pool, a beach dedicated to children by Scribbs in the 1930s. Nowadays this section is popular with seals and sea lions.
From here you can decide whether you want to continue the coastal trail or if you like to return to La Jollas downtown district. For the letter turn left into Cuvier Street towards Prospect Street.
At the corner of Jenner and Prospect Street you will see the Grande Colonial Hotel. This hotel is the oldest hotel in La Jolla and was built in 1913. When a new owner purchased the property in 1928 the original building was moved to the rear side and a taller structure replaced the former front building.
At the corner of Girard Avenue you finally hit the shopping mile of La Jolla. Along Girard Ave, down Wall Street and along Prospect Street down to Roslyn Lane you will pass plenty of shops, restaurants and galleries.
There are few other beautiful buildings around. E.g. the luxury La Valencia Hotel. The hotel with the pink façade was built in 1926.
Another building you should pay a visit is the Mission-style church at Ivanhoe and Cave Street. If you follow Cave Street to Prospect Place you return to your car.
If you are hungry or need a break you will find several coffee shops and restaurants along Prospect Street.
If you still have a bunch of time you can combine the La Jolla Tour with the Mission Bay and Pacific Beach Tour, San Diego’s Old Town Tour or drive to Point Loma and the Sunset Cliffs to enjoy the sunset. All destinations are perfect to let the day fade out.
From here you have panoramic views over the ocean and can watch the waves crashing against the rocks. At the far right of the park underneath the outlook are the remains of the former Alligator Head, a natural bridge that was washed out by the tides. Until the 70’s its form looked like an alligator sticking out of the rock. But its arm (‘neck’) that was connecting the cliff with the rock was destroyed by a storm. The park is a nice location to watch the sunset in case you are staying until the evening in La Jolla.
Further down the coastal trail follows Children’s Pool, a beach dedicated to children by Scribbs in the 1930s. Nowadays this section is popular with seals and sea lions.
From here you can decide whether you want to continue the coastal trail or if you like to return to La Jollas downtown district. For the letter turn left into Cuvier Street towards Prospect Street.
At the corner of Jenner and Prospect Street you will see the Grande Colonial Hotel. This hotel is the oldest hotel in La Jolla and was built in 1913. When a new owner purchased the property in 1928 the original building was moved to the rear side and a taller structure replaced the former front building.
At the corner of Girard Avenue you finally hit the shopping mile of La Jolla. Along Girard Ave, down Wall Street and along Prospect Street down to Roslyn Lane you will pass plenty of shops, restaurants and galleries.
There are few other beautiful buildings around. E.g. the luxury La Valencia Hotel. The hotel with the pink façade was built in 1926.
Another building you should pay a visit is the Mission-style church at Ivanhoe and Cave Street. If you follow Cave Street to Prospect Place you return to your car.
If you are hungry or need a break you will find several coffee shops and restaurants along Prospect Street.
If you still have a bunch of time you can combine the La Jolla Tour with the Mission Bay and Pacific Beach Tour, San Diego’s Old Town Tour or drive to Point Loma and the Sunset Cliffs to enjoy the sunset. All destinations are perfect to let the day fade out.