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You have the choice of two ways to
access at Torrey Pines. The low road is one of them which will take you to a
famous beach right off the highway, with bathrooms, showers, lifeguards and a
safe spot for kids to play by the lagoon. And the other is the high road,
leading to a coastal wilderness of pine forests, sandstone canyons and a
network of dirt hiking trails on the bluffs overlooking the sea. Almost
everything in Torrey Pines gets right protection, from the Penasquitos river
valley on the east side of the highway, to the State Park lands on the west, to
the Underwater Ecological Reserve offshore. The world famous Torrey Pines Golf
Course helps in protecting the southern end of the bluffs from development
while the craggy cliffs do their part to discourage access (and crowds).
Between
Carmel Valley
Road
and the
Glider
Ports
at Torrey Pines beautiful Drive,
Torrey
Pines
State
Beach
runs for three miles. In the north section, the highway runs next to the beach
and it is highly recommendable for swimming and other traditional activities
and for the non-traditionalists who prefer to dress down for the beach
(nudists), will find the southern section more to their liking. The Torrey
Pines beach is well covered by sand, with few exposed rocks, readily passable
at all Torrey Pines State Beach runs for three miles but the highest tides.
There is also access from above via two challenging hiking trails - one in the
State Park and another beginning at the
Glider
Port.
Torrey Pines State Park is a
1750 acre reserve dedicated for preserving its namesake, the
Torrey Pine tree, which is exclusive as it only grows here and
other indigenous wildlife in its native environment. It's not
your typical beach outing and that is its forte. It will be a
memorable trip here in Torrey Pines State Park and that’s for
sure
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