Our Mission The mission of the California Department of isit Torrey Pines...painted Torrey Pines Parks and Recreation is to provide for the “ V health, inspiration and education of the cliffs and rugged canyons... State Reserve people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, green groves and flowered and State Beach protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities hillside...the wonderful for high-quality outdoor recreation. panorama of mountains... the sweeping shoreline and the blue sea...will continue in its primitive beauty to be admired and loved by California State Parks does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. Prior to all who visit it. arrival, visitors with disabilities who need ” assistance should contact the park at the phone —Guy Fleming number below. To receive this publication in an alternate format, write to the Communications Office at the following address.

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P. O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: 800-777-0369 916-653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

Torrey Pines SR and SB 12600 N. Torrey Pines Rd. San Diego, CA 92037 (858) 755-2063 (Reserve and mailing address) Cover and intro panel photos by David Rightmer

© 2003 California State Parks (rev. 5/2006) Printed on Recycled Paper T orrey Pines State Reserve is a majes- beach invites swimming, surfing and tic wilderness in the middle of an increas- fishing. Low tide—when the red-tinged and shade ramadas, which were made of ingly urban area. Its fragile environment of bluff is reflected in wet sand—is a good willow, oak, manzanita, deerweed, tule, high, broken cliffs and deep ravines over- time to stroll the beach. Across the high- chamise and other local plants. looking the sea is home to one of the way from the beach, the Los Peñasquitos The Kumeyaay were seasonal hunters world’s rarest pine trees—Pinus torreyana. Marsh Natural Preserve provides a and gatherers. They gathered roots, The Torrey pines are believed to be the protected breeding ground for berries, nuts and seeds—some remnants of an ancient woodland that once many species of birds and fish. of which were used for flourished along the southern California medicinal purposes—and coast, but now they grow naturally only on PARK HISTORY practiced limited this small strip of San Diego coastline and horticulture. Using Human History on Santa Rosa Island. Here, the tree clings fishhooks and nets, they The Kumeyaay that lived at to the face of the crumbling sandstone or caught a variety of sea Torrey Pines traveled in stands tall in sheltered canyons. animals, and picked up bands of extended families Torrey Pines State Beach, adjacent to the grunion, shellfish and throughout the coast, reserve, stretches four and one-half miles mollusks from the mountains and desert foothills. from Del Mar past Los Peñasquitos Marsh beaches. The Kumeyaay Their lands extended from the Natural Preserve to the base of the sand- hunted such game as rabbits, Pacific Ocean, south to Enseñada, stone cliff at Torrey Pines Mesa. The sandy quail and deer with bows and Mexico, east to the dunes of the Kumeyaay olla (pot) arrows, throwing sticks and Colorado River, and north through the snares. Today, descendents of the Warner Springs Valley to what is now Kumeyaay still reside in many of the Oceanside. They lived in small dwellings same areas, including San Diego County.

Kumeyaay dwelling Sketch by J.W. Audubon, 1849 July it is not uncommon for coastal fog to between 75 and 80 degrees. In June about 45 degrees to a typical August high of temperatures range from a January low of to chaparral riparian. The area’s mild coastal strand to that range from salt to fresh water, from Varying elevations have produced habitats photographers to record its latest look. seascape, challenging artists and motion of the surf creates a changing far away as central Mexico. The continuous old, and some rocks have traveled from as formations are more than 45 million years present reserve. Some geological the sandstone terraces that make up by streams and creeks gradually formed and falling seas, heavy rains, erosion changing. Nearly a million years of rising The landscape of the reserve is still NATURAL HISTORY last all day, enabling the Torrey pines to survive in this unlikely sage scrub, from salt marsh environment. Torrey pine on coastal bluff of trees in the area Early Spanish explorers named the grove THE TORREY PINES caught vandalizing a Torrey pine tree. 1885 there was a $100 bounty on History to save them from extinction. By urged the San Diego Society of Natural lack of protection for the trees, and he distressed over the in 1883, he was returned to the area the time. leading botanist of friend John Torrey, a named it after his a unique species and identified this pine as Charles C. Parry statehood—botanist year of California’s coast. In 1850—the navigating off the landmark for sailors trees served as a “Point of Trees.” The Possible later threats included When Dr. Parry cutting used for cattle grazing. In 1899 the San Diego City Council passed an ordinance that the trees so land could be 369 acres to be used as a acres to be used as 369 public Punto de Los Arboles, park.

Photo courtesy of the Scripps College Archives, Denison Library set aside clear- anyone Ellen Browning Scripps or donated the North and Parry Groves to philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps buckwheat, black sage, and California sagebrush, coastal strand areas, as well verbena and beach primrose in the vanishing habitats are home to sand chaparral, and Torrey woodlands. These coastal strand, sage scrub, of the reserve and lagoon areas include native plants. The plant communities endangered and protected species of contains approximately 300 The 2,000-acre reserve’s setting today THE RESERVE Concerned newspaperwoman and establishment of the reserve. contributed significantly to the death in 1932, Ms. Scripps had Reserve. By the time of her custodian of Torrey Pines appointed Mr. Fleming City Park Commission trees, and in 1921 she the interested in protecting the heavy public use. damage to the trees by Natural History reported for the San Diego Society of Fleming, a botanist working Torrey pines. In 1916 Guy the hope of protecting the people of San Diego in Miss Scripps got the public coastal barrel cacti in the coastal sage scrub community. The mesas and other high elevations are host California. The California quail, brown towhees, sparrows, to the chaparral community of area is home to Nutall’s woodpeckers, Anna’s plants, including chamise, several rare and hummingbirds, ravens and mockingbirds manzanita, ceanothus, California endangered are often found. Here brush rabbits and scrub oak, toyon and mountain species of birds other small rodents are common, with mahogany. The Torrey woodlands and provides a occasional gray foxes, bobcats, coyotes, are defined by the generally poor vital stopping or and mule deer. Reptile residents include soil and arid climate that cause the nesting place for rattlesnakes and a variety of other snakes, trees to have extensive root many migratory and several species of lizards, including systems. The trees take on a waterfowl. RECREATIONthe endangered horned lizard. variety of shapes as dictated by Portions of the the elements—dwarfed and reserve may beTrails gnarled where most exposed to closed at times• to 0.6-mile Guy Fleming Trail in the wind and salty air, or taller and allow the natural North Grove offers two scenic more upright in sheltered areas. features to overlooks with panoramic views. This trail has the greatest variety of recuperate from Wildflowers brighten the trails. wildflowers, ferns, cacti and pine abuse, overuse or trees in the reserve. NATURAL PRESERVES natural disasters. • 0.4-mile Parry Grove Trail has dramatic Two outstanding areas have been WILDLIFE ocean views, but most of the mature designated as Natural Preserves by the The intertidal zones are rich in sea life: Torrey pines fell victim to a bark beetle State Park and limpets, shore crabs and hermit crabs, infestation in the mid-1990s. A con- Recreation mussels, barnacles, sea anemones and trolled burn has allowed natural reveg- Commission. Ellen various species of snails and shells. High etation and spectacular seasonal Browning Scripps above the sea, the bluffs offer excellent wildflowers. Steep Natural Preserve is vantage points to watch the annual migra- stairs form the head the area around tion of gray whales. Dolphins, seals, sea of this trail. Parry Grove and lions and several species of porpoises may • 0.1-mile High Point Guy Fleming trails. be seen year round. Trail offers a 360- Los Peñasquitos About two hundred species of birds are degree pan- Marsh Natural protected at the reserve. Shore birds oramic view of Preserve is one of include brown and American white pelicans, the reserve and the last remaining black-bellied and snowy plovers, several ocean. salt marsh areas species of gulls and terns, American avocets, and waterfowl western sandpipers, willets, whimbrels, refuges in sanderlings, great egrets and longbilled southern curlews. Farther inland western scrub jays, Sandstone cliffs Brown pelican • 1.3-mile Broken Hill Trail offers a beautiful view of eroding sandstone, and its north fork leads through Elfin Forest before connecting to Beach Trail near Flat Rock. • 1.5-mile Marsh Trail goes along the southern edge of Los Penasquitos Marsh Natural Preserve. The trailhead is on the east side of North Torrey Pines Road opposite the South Beach parking lot. Coastal horned lizard Trails in the Extension • 0.5-mile Mar Scenic Trail follows the seasonal creek through the extension. • Information on park programs is available • 0.5-mile Daughters of the American from the visitor center. Make group Revolution (DAR) Trail offers views program requests at least two weeks in across the marsh to the main reserve advance. and to the ocean. • Docent led nature hikes for individuals • 0.75-mile Margaret Fleming Nature Trail and families are scheduled at 10 a.m. is a scenic walk through coastal sage and 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays scrub. (call to confirm). • 0.3-mile Red Ridge Loop Trail offers views of the lagoon, the main reserve, and spectacular geologic formations. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES • The visitor center is generally accessible. A captioned video is available. Nearby Visitor Center (Lodge) and Museum parking and restroom are accessible. INTERPRETIVE SERVICES • South Beach restroom and parking are accessible. Slope of path from lot may • 0.7-mile Razor Point Trail meanders • The visitor center (Lodge) features require assistance. through coastal sage scrub, spectacular exhibits on local wildlife, flowers and views of sculptured sandstone, gnarled geology, and offers a selection of • North Beach parking, restrooms and path trees and the surf 150 feet below. Yucca interpretive publications. to beach are usable with assistance. Point Overlook, accessed from both • Free trail maps are available at the visitor • A beach wheelchair is available. Razor Point and Beach Trails, features center or at most trailheads. • Visitors with service animals should dramatic yucca flower displays in spring • The reserve has two native plant gardens, contact park staff upon arrival. and stunning examples of sandstone one at the front of the visitor center, and Accessibility is continually improving. erosion. another (the Whitaker Garden) at the For current accessibility details, call the • 0.75-mile Beach Trail is a rustic footpath Parry Grove trailhead. park, or visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. through the upper reserve to the beach • Call for information on school group 300 feet below. activities and a teacher’s guide. Torrey Pines is a state reserve set aside to protect its natural and cultural resources. Help preserve this beautiful area.

• Stay on the trails. Walking off trail • Dogs and horses are prohibited at the causes erosion, tramples plants and reserve and on the beach. frightens animals. • All types of vehicles are prohibited on • The cliffs are unstable and dangerous. trails; bicycles may use only paved Children must be supervised by an adult roads. at all times. • Due to the sensitive ecological environ- • State laws protect all features in the ment, it is occasionally necessary to limit reserve, including rocks, artifacts, flowers the number of visitors by limiting the and pinecones. number of vehicles in the park. If the reserve is • Picnicking is only permitted at the full, visitors may be beach, not in the reserve or on the trails asked to check back (water canteens are okay). Place all trash later or plan to visit in receptacles provided. another day. • Smoking is permitted in the parking lots. • Park only in • Fires are prohibited. Personal portable designated lots. barbecues are permitted only on the Stopping on road beach. Place hot coals in the hot coal shoulders is not containers provided. permitted. Torrey pine Benches are sited at scenic locations.

NEARBY STATE PARKS • Cardiff State Beach, one mile south of Cardiff on old Highway 101 (760) 753-5091 • Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, This park is supported in part San Diego and Twiggs Streets through a nonprofit organization. (619) 220-5422 For more information contact: • San Elijo State Beach, in Cardiff on old Torrey Pines Docent Society Highway 101 (760) 753-5355/5091 P.O. Box 2414 • Carlsbad State Beach, in Carlsbad Del Mar, CA 92014-1714 (760) 438-3143 (858) 755-2063

Torrey Pines State Beach

Torrey Pines SR