Golden cliffs, crashing waves, and one of SoCal's last truly wild coastlines. Torrey Pines State Beach is a breathtaking 4.5 mile stretch of sandy shoreline where ocean views meet rugged sandstone cliffs. Whether you're here to swim, surf, or hike, every step feels like a postcard, especially along the Beach Trail with its unreal coastal panoramas. This spot is easily one of Southern California's most untouched and scenic coastal escapes. Pro tips: It gets very busy, so expect a line to get in. There's a large parking lot, but it fills up quickly during peak hours, arrive early if you can. Handicap parking is available near bathrooms. You can get California State Park Annual Passes, which covers day-use fees at most state-operated parks and beaches for 12 months. read more

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Such a wonderful beach where I have spent so much time during the past 2 decades of my life and no review? Lets fix that. This a fantastic beach to walk or run (at least for me who dont like to swim in cold waters). I liketo go with my bestie from Del Mar all the way there. It is the perfect beach to celebrate milestones, birthdays, although finding parking is the only little nightmare you have to endure to enjoy this little piece of joy on earth. read more

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Clean, great huge shallows with lots of nice big crashing waves. Great lifeguard staff.

I been here a few times one of the only beaches in southern California were you can park by tbe road and not get charged . Its a nice little beach during the day or at night . I would recommend stopping by and checking it out if you never been. Its just off the 56 hwy and 15 in Torrey Pines California area. Its deserve a 5 star rating its clean and easy to get to. I be back again next time I down that way. read more

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Beautiful beach with beautiful and varied hiking trails above. Highly reccomend. Trails for any level. Lots of different type of seabirds too. Visitor center as well that is nice with helpful volunteers read more

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A fun beach. We know this one well since we grew up not far from here. This one has somewhat clean bathrooms, near lifeguard towers, and a bin of Sand Toys to borrow. Love this location. Wasn't very busy when we stopped by around 11 on a Monday. Did get busier as the day went on. Lot so of wildlife like squirrels. They are extra friendly and tried to eat our lunch. Main rule is no alcohol which should be given. read more

This is such a cool beach. If you love stones and rocks then this is the beach for you. There is plenty of free parking but if you are not lucky enough to find a spot they also have a pay to park parking lot. read more

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Probably one of my favorite "non surfing beaches" in San Diego. I don't surf here because the waves mostly close out... But it's a great beach to hang out at especially if you go north into Del Mar where it is really uncrowded. I love to take long beach walks here... Try it... Go north or south... Be aware if you go too far south you'll arrive at blacks beach and it's a nude beach with a lot of things you might not want to see. Lol. Going north you'll get to powerhouse Park in Del Mar which is really nice. You can park for free along Carmel Valley Rd and walk thru the North parking lot or you can try to find a free spot along the coast highway but everything else requires a ca state parks parking pass or you will have to pay to park and it's not cheap... Carmel valley Rd is your best bet read more

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Torrey Pines State Beach is one of the most beautiful spots in San Diego. The golden cliffs, soft sand, and clear ocean views make it feel like a postcard. Whether you're walking along the shore, catching waves, or just soaking up the sun, it's hard to beat. Above the beach, the Torrey Pines State Reserve offers scenic hiking trails with amazing ocean overlooks and rare Torrey pine trees. It's peaceful, well-maintained, and full of photo-worthy views. There's wildlife, tide pools, and even a lagoon nearby, perfect for nature lovers. Parking is easy (top or bottom), and there are restrooms, showers, and lifeguards at key access points. If you want a place that combines beach relaxation and hiking adventure, this is it. A must-visit for locals and travelers alike. read more

Torrey Pines State Beach - Torrey Pines State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

this is a wide open fine sand beach. Today, the surf is flat at 11. Very quiet, one surf fisherman and he is catching. 3 poles in the water. read more

Torrey Pines State Beach - left - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

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This beach has a long stretch in both directions, and there's actually a few different parking options. If you drive down on the bridge, there is parking along the street facing the sand on the right, there's also a parking lot that you need to enter from North Torrey Pines Road. There's also spots up along the street before the bridge. All of those require payment, and that last one will require some walking. Although if you're not apposed to walking, you could park all the way up on 4th street along the free residential street and walk the 1.2 miles to the ocean. And for a real walk, you can go all the way to the end of Torrey Pines beach to Black's Beach. Just keep in mind that one is a nude beach. read more

Torrey Pines State Beach - Hilly trail to the beach - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

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i love this beach so much! Went for a drive up the coast with some sweet friends in my building and stopped at a few beaches on the way!! My favorites are Torrey Pines Beach, Del Mar and Cardiff by the Sea. But honestly they were all beautiful. Def recommend! read more

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Best beach in San Diego, IMO! Great place for a beach walk all the down to Del Mar dog beach! If you don't have an annual pass I suggest parking on the corner of the north lot (Carmel Valley rd and Del Mar Scenic Pkwy) or try your luck with waterfront parking along N Torrey Pines Rd. There is a large drop off from the paved walkway near the overpass to the sand, so be prepared if going with kids, elderly etc. that you'll need to be careful. read more

Torrey Pines State Beach - Sign at parking lot (north end) - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

Beautiful beach! Great for a scenic stroll. It seemed fairly clean too. [ Parking ] We were able to easily find parking on the streets. read more

Perfect day for a hike on Christmas Day!!! It was high tides in the morning but settled down around noon. What hasn't been said about this place? Gorgeous and breathtaking views !!! I hosted a vegan meetup at one of my favorite San Diego hiking trails and I'm always in awe of the beauty of Torrey Pines. You get a 360 view of the beautiful wildlife, rock formations, marine life, and ocean view. They also have a visitor center if you want to learn more of the history of the reserve and beach. Free parking can be found on the street on Carmel Valley Road or opt for the paid parking lot. I've never had a problem getting a free parking spot though. You just have to come at the right time and be patient. Torrey Pines has become a tourist attraction and a family-friendly hike. The views are worth it! Anything overlooking the ocean is always a PLUS for me. Makes me appreciate living in beautiful SUNNY San Diego. Today wasn't as busy considering it was a holiday. This isn't a strenuous hike, but a very relaxing and scenic one. I've see athletes train here running half-naked and even barefoot so that was a nice surprise. Great to train for a race and work on them lunges especially on the steep incline at the start of the trail. You can take the Beach trail and end up on the beach side, which is beautiful to soak up. Running on the sandy beach is a whole 'nother beast and I've also seen people do yoga and meditation sessions here. One time, I even saw a marriage proposal! Perfect spot to take a date, go with a group, or even solo ! Come during sunset too! It's a nice romantic spot for that! There's plenty of room to walk along the beach and it is kept clean. It gets pretty hot during the summer months so be prepared and stay hydrated. So blessed to live 15 minutes away ! I'll never get sick of coming here! My favorite hike in San Diego! read more

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Beautiful place! Serene beach with miles upon miles of silty sand and walkable shore. I like to start off with the hike and make my way down to the beach to walk the shore. Either way - beautiful nature reserve and beach. I'd be wary of walking under or by the cliff side - you just don't ever know if and when the rocks could slide and pop u on the head. Beware of the birds! They're quite aggressive and will pick at unsupervised bags of food or belongings (one tries to fly off with my shoe). read more

Torrey Pines State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

There are so many reasons why I love this beach. There is a paid parking lot with hours that are posted as you pay or if your lucky enough to find parking along the street you can wander around on the beach or hike up the trail towards black beach. No matter what your in the mood for walking along the beach with your toes submerged in the ocean water or getting more of a Birds Eye view from the top, this state beach has it all. You can follow the paths toward La Jolla or head in the other direction towards Del Mar. You can't go wrong and nothing beats the fresh air and coastal views. I was just looking for the breathtaking sunsets San Diego has to offer. After a long day at work nothing beats taking a moment to enjoy sunset. read more

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This is our 'go-to' local beach, especially when we want a nice beach walk. There's nothing like a good brisk winter walk along Torrey Pines State Beach all the way to Del Mar, watching the waves and waving at the trains going by on the cliff. You'll see plenty of other walkers, joggers, a few people on bikes, dog walkers, (in certain allowed areas), sea fishermen, kids making sand castles, people playing frisbee or throwing a ball. Even in January, you'll see people in the water and surfers riding waves. Make sure to stay away from the cliffs as they can be hazardous. They're currently making efforts at building retaining walls. (Jan 2025). There are decent one-stall bathroom facilities and outdoor showers for rinsing off sand, but not much more than that. There are no food and drink facilities, shops or chair rentals nearby. Always bring your own picnic, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, frisbee, chairs, umbrellas, etc. Parking: There's a large lot where you can pay at the machines or if you have a valid California State Parks Pass, hang that in your windshield. Personally, we always park along the nearby streets for free and walk in. Note: At the time of writing this in January 2025, they are doing some construction and pedestrian entry to the beach is at the north end of the parking lot instead of the south end near the restrooms. Only porta-potties available at this time. Looking forward to seeing the improvements they're working on. Helpful? read more

Torrey Pines is a 5 Star beach. Pictures and words do little justice. One of those places you just gotta experience for yourself. read more

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Such a beautiful place to be able to enjoy the moments of nature. Can't believe I waited this long to visit this gem on 9/11. read more

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Torrey Pines Beach offers a breathtaking ocean vista, making it a truly magnificent destination. The scenic drive leading to the beach adds to the enjoyment of the overall experience, providing a fun and delightful journey. read more

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Beautiful spot to hike, sit by the beach, day dream... pictures truly don't do this place justice! read more

Torrey Pines State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

Truly a heavenly little beach! I know that most people come here strictly to hike the reserve (which is gorgeous in its' own right), but Torrey Pines State Beach deserves its' flowers too. This beach is literally located right off of the road. Talk about convenient! You have easy access right from the parking lot. There are several pull in parking spots too, making it super easy to find parking (if you get here before the crowds, of course). If you want to park closer to the reserve entrance, there's a large parking lot, but it's gonna cost you a whopping $20 to park there (yikes!). Since it's so easy to access this beach, setting up a picnic is a breeze. I arrived around 8:00 am on a Thursday morning, and there were less than a handful of people there. I ended up hiking in the nearby reserve and then returned to the beach in the afternoon to have lunch and relax for a bit. There were more people than before obviously, but waaay less than any other beach that I visited during my trip to SD. Maybe because it was a weekday?! But, somehow I feel like this Beach doesn't get too crowded. I think people are more interested in the reserve which is fine by me. This beach itself encompasses what you'd expect of a beautiful La Jolla beach. Crystal blue waters, soft white sand, and calm shallow waves. Absolutely swimmable and completely family friendly. I don't think dogs are allowed at this beach as I didn't see any which is rare. It's a long beach that seems to stretch on for miles, so spreading out is super easy to do here. You won't feel like other people are all in your space. Despite it being so close to the road, it's actually pretty quiet and peaceful here. There are restrooms on site near the beginning of the Torrey Pines Reserve trail and parking lot entrance. I wouldn't say it's a hidden gem because it's not "hidden" by any means. However, this beach is definitely far less traveled and a great place to escape the busy crowds of the nearby SD beaches. I would absolutely come back for more beach time again. read more

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Dominic- A parent's wish never changes... no matter the number of candles on your cake. That's why I find myself hoping the same things for you this year that I have since you were born... That you are truly happy, that your life unfolds in wonderful ways and that you know you are loved and always will be. Happy Birthday Son. #two His happy place read more

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Parking: one can find free street parking if come early. There is also a parking lot with $20/car, or pay an annual state park parking fee. The annual parking allows one to park in all state parks' parking lots for free for the entire year. Good investment if one plan to visit the beach often. At low tide, the beach is wide open for joggers, walkers, fishermen, and family a day at the beach. The beach is clean. We enjoyed many walks here. It is an approximate 2+miles walk to Del Mar. Spectacular views. Easy to moderate hike depending on the trails. We love this stretch of beaches. read more

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COVID-19: Social distancing is not enforced at this public beach. All of the lifeguards do not wear a mask. All beach goers are not expected to wear a mask. There are no hand sanitizers available for the public to use. COVID-19 Vaccination Proof: This public beach currently does not require proof of vaccination. Parking: The parking lot for this establishment is pretty big. The parking spaces are pretty wide too. You do have to pay for parking though. Parking for the whole day is $15. If you don't pay and the parking enforcer comes by, you will get fined a lot. I saw several people get fined, so fair warning. Beach: No dogs allowed on the beach. This beach is so good for surfing and boogie boarding. It's so fun. There is a lifeguard tower here with several lifeguards manning the tower. There are some public bathrooms here. They are decently clean, but they sure are smelly. There are four showers here for people to use too. Staff: The staff here are very nice and friendly. Seriously! The lifeguards here are talkative and very open. read more

Torrey Pines State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

I used to work a few miles away so easy to stop by and take some pictures. Another great beach in San Diego area with great views. You can also go up into the preserve and hike up the hill. There is some parking but limited and usually full, there is some street parking about a mile away but usually crowded, there is also a paid lot across the street and you can walk from the lot to the beach avoiding PCH. There are plenty of large boulders and it is weird at high tide, the water will send you and your camera gear scrambling up the boulders so be prepared and know the time of day, tide times, etc. I prefer some other beaches with better parking situation, less crowded, have a pier, etc. but still good for sight seeing and taking visitors to. read more

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A Kings Tide is the unofficial term used to refer to the natural occurrence of higher than normal tide caused by the alignment of the gravitational pull between the Sun, Moon and Earth. While the tide event isn't an everyday occurrence, it does take place a few times per year and it is a natural one occurrence that's incredible to experience in person. Though both the Sun and Moon influence our tides, the moon's gravitational pull is about twice as strong than that of the sun. Just as we experience seasons because of our elliptical orbit around the sun, we experience different tidal forces as a result of how far away the Sun Moon and Earth respectively are from each other. When the Earth, Moon and Sun are near alignment we get a New Moon (Moon between the Sun and Earth)and Full Moon (Earth between the Moon and Sun). This alignment causes an increase in the gravitational pull roughly twice a month called 'Spring Tides." The Moon's closest position to the Earth is called a 'perigee.' When a full or New Moon coincides with perigee we get perigean Spring Tide. At its highest point, we get Kings Tide. These are larger tidal events that happen about three or four times a year. King Tides, as the highest that occur- are a foot or two higher than average tides, which corresponds to the one to two foot rise in sea level expected during the next few decades. When you observe the King Tides, imagine seeing these tides almost daily. They represent the future water levels and are tracked. Last month when making a 10 min trek to the shore-the King Tide was at its peak. Roughly 7.48 feet! Limited to no beach frontage along the water. My photos are from the second cliff overlook with the path being the lower cliff. Water was bashing against that cliff so no surfing in that area today. Normal boringly glorious blue skies and intense marsh flooding is the norm. This is Torrey Pines State Park. I hope that this unusual review had not bored everyone to tears. read more

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Stopped by on my way to Del Mar since people recommend this place, and wanted to switch it up. Parking - Horrible as the place can get full easily and lines to get in back up pretty long. The employees here are slow also and take forever to make the transaction. Hike/Trail - When you park on top of the hill they have park workers at the booth to answer any questions, also place is actually really nice as its not too difficult and they have a couple trails to choose from. During and when you get to the spot it's amazing ocean views and hill views. Historic Building - They also have a small visitor center and the lady working here is so sweet, nice and helpful. They have a movie room, items for sale, displays, and outside area with great views. Overall it was a good experience, kinda hot day but all worth it. Would consider coming back and would recommend it. read more

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Such a beautiful beach to be spending leisure time and special occasions here! My soul sister and I love this place so much, we celebrated 2 of her birthdays here (and, more in the future!). Parking: Be patient, people are always leaving. Wait a few minutes and you will get a spot. If it doesn't make sense to wait, then the lot would be the option, $15 fee. read more

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Torrey Pines State Beach has a special place in my heart. It's the beach closest to us and we went there a lot with the kids growing up so lots of good memories. It is a family friendly beach. We always felt safe and the kids enjoyed themselves. Now that the kids are all grown I still go there to meet friends/family for hiking. You can walk on the beach and then hike in Torrey pines. This time we had a nice dinner and bonfire on the beach with family. It was so relaxing. We went right after sunset so parking was available. Usually if you go right before sunset it can get crowded and parking gets difficult. I recommend this beach. Hanging out there reminds me of how beautiful San Diego is. read more

Torrey Pines State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

My friend and I had July 5th off and decided to take a nice stroll along the sands of Torrey Pines State Beach. We started at life guard tower 2 and walked towards tower 1 and beyond. Towards the end of the beach there is a narrow path about 10 inches wide, and once we crossed this path and climbed down the rocks, we reached a small deserted beach. It was low tides, so we crossed the passageway onto the peninsula of rocks and got to see some beautiful wildlife growing in the crevices of the rocks. There were colorful mussels, clams, snails, and crabs. We also came across some really cool rock formations between tower 1 and 2 I think. I may have been a little past tower 1. Anyway, someone had a lot of time on their hands and was really creative! Wish I could say that someone was me, but it wasn't. I told my friend that we will have to attempt our own rock creations! This will be on our "to-do" list! Until next time..... read more

Spectacular beach to surf, walk, sit, meditate, kiss, or rent bikes specifically to ride along the beach shoreline. Torrey Pines Beach eventually merges to the Torrey Pines State Reserve which is another breathtaking experience different from the beach. The reserve includes hiking, trails, and overlook viewpoints of the ocean. Your worries do not exist when you experience this beauty. Waking read more

Hands down my families favorite place for a sunset! It never disappoints. The beach is rocky so the further you are to the cliffs of of the preserve the better. There's plenty of parking either you get lucky and find a spot on the street or else you pay for parking in one of the lots. But there's plenty of beach here to walk for a couple miles for some nice fresh air. They have a couple of restrooms but they are on each end of the beach. Honestly it's got plenty of views and it's such a great place to take them all in!! read more

Torrey Pines State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

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What an absolutely beautiful beach! During the summers this is definitely one of the spots we frequent. It's family friendly with a lot of kids playing in the sand and water. Which for a mom of two is absolutely perfect. The parking as I'm sure you have already heard is pretty tough starting from early in the morning. My suggestion is to be patient and drive slow so you're able to catch people who are heading back to their vehicles after their visit. I know there is a near by lot that you may park in for a small fee. I cannot white comment much on that as I have always gotten lucky and found a spot beachside. Have a doggy? Leave them at home as this is a dog free beach. I learned this the hard way when we drove out, waited 15 minutes for parking to clear, set up our stuff, and then we're quickly informed that we would need to pack up as he our little chihuahua/rat terrier was not allowed even on a leash. All was good though, the State Worker was respectful and kind and knew we were unaware of the rules and gave us ample time to pack it in. The view at sunset is absolutely gorgeous, you really cannot beat watching the sunset over the water. Whether you're on a date, looking for some solo peace, or taking the kids out this place is great! When the weather permits my husband and I pack up the kids and hit the sand....and Torrey Pines is the place! read more

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June gloom is upon us. Don't let the overcast fool you into not putting sunblock. Your skin will appreciate it. On the South end $20 entrance until 8pm let's you have options to sit on the beach, play in the ocean waves, or take a hike at one of their many trails. If hiking there are also parking further up but you may also park at the entrance to get in more steps. There are bathrooms at the entrance parking and water spout to wash the sand off. There are portable potties at the hiking parking lot. Lifeguards are on duty. High tide really kicks in by 4pm-ish. read more

Tough to find free parking on the weekends or during the summer. You're going to have to hover over a group of cars waiting for the chance that someone leaves. For me, if it's crowded I recommend just paying for parking in either of the two official Day Use lots.. Pricing fluctuates dramatically tho, anywhere from from 12 to 25 a day depending on expected crowds. As for the beach, there are many factors on how enjoyable your experience will be. Is it high tide (limited space), have storms exposed tons of pebbled? But the biggest factor will be parking. - no pets - no amplified music - no booze Tips - If the tide is out look for sea glass in the pebbles.. - There are some cool and dangerous cliffs if you walk south into the Torrey Pines Reserve.. Makes for a nice beach walk. read more

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If you are not a fan of great sunset views, don't come here. If you don't like fresh ocean air, don't come here. If you don't like walking on the beach, listening to waves breaking on the shore, don't come here. We love all of that stuff so we did come here over the weekend to catch another glorious sunset. The parking lot was still closed due to COVID19 restrictions, so we found parking down the street in a neighborhood where everyone else was parking and got our steps in. As long as you weren't just hanging out on the sand, you could go to the beach, i.e. walking, running, swimming, surfing. There were people there, but not a ton and everyone was good about keeping their distance from each other. We've done our fair share of hiking on the trails, but this most recent visit was just for golden hour and it did not disappoint. read more

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Well marked, fairly easy trails here. There is something for almost everyone. Ridiculously expensive to park ($20 per car), if there even IS parking. But the views are stunning and the breeze is nice. It gets crowded though (on the weekend at least) - you won't get a picture without people in it. There are lots of photo ops though, and you'll see plenty of pretty birds, flowers, lizards and other native species. It's a great way to spend a lazy San Diego day. Bring water and sunscreen. Don't worry about getting lost on the trails...they're pretty short, and just a chunk of land between the ocean and the parking lot. read more

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Love this beach! Always a good time here. :) there's not too much sand to lay out, but then the water is much closer to get to without burning your feet ;) There's also a nice easy hike here. read more