Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)[1]
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Map of California Show map of California Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	San Diego, California
Coordinates	32°55′16″N 117°15′12″W / 32.9210°N 117.2532°W / 32.9210; -117.2532
Area	2,000 acres (8.1 km2)
www.torreypine.org
U.S. National Natural Landmark
Designated	1977

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is 2,000 acres (810 ha) of coastal state park in San Diego, California, off North Torrey Pines Road. Although it is located within San Diego city limits,^[2] it remains one of the wildest stretches of land (8 km²) on the Southern California coast. It is bordered immediately on the south by Torrey Pines Golf Course and on the north by the city of Del Mar. The reserve was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1977.^[3]

The reserve consists of a plateau with cliffs that overlook Torrey Pines State Beach, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating seabirds. Many different kinds of wildlife and flora are found within the reserve, including bobcat, fox, skunk, raccoon, coyote, rabbit, cacti, coastal chaparral, and the rare Torrey pine. During whale migration, it is sometimes possible to see several species of whale from the cliffs, including humpback whale and gray whale.

The 8 miles (13 km) of trails within the park offer an attraction for hikers and beach-goers and a small museum sits at the top of the hill. 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. At the southern end of the beach is a large rock that projects into the ocean, called Flat Rock. South of the rock is San Diego's unofficial nude beach, Black's Beach.