Torrey Pines State Beach — Attraction in San Diego

This spot is a local gem for those who love hiking and the untouched beauty of natural beaches!

Be prepared for crowded trails and the beach on weekends due to its popularity.

For a more serene experience, I recommend visiting on a weekday.

Parking: There is limited free parking along the coast (parallel & drive in type spots). There are two paid parking lots with ample parking and bathroom facilities. Average day rate: 15-20$. The south lot closest to the trailhead tends to fill up faster, especially on the weekends. The north lot is about 3/4 of a mile walk along the beach/road to the trailhead.

Ocean Conditions: For most of the year this beach usually has 2 to 4 foot waves, strong tides and uneven ocean floor conditions. Moderate swimming ability is recommended, always be sure to check with the local lifeguard on conditions before heading out into the water. Local tip: Avoid the high tide surprise by checking the beach's tide chart online before you go. This way, you can ensure your belongings stay dry and aren't caught off-guard by rising waters.

Services: State Parks Lifeguards are staffed in towers between 9 AM and 5 PM during the summer. You’ll find bathrooms in the parking lot along with a handy vending machine in each one for snacks and drinks. Trash cans are located in each parking lot. Local tip: There aren’t any restaurants, shops, or beach rentals nearby, so it’s wise to bring everything you need and remember to take it all back with you.

Additional information: State Parks bans the use of wood burning bonfires, regardless of the container or pit it is housed in. Propane fire pits / gas stoves are allowed.

A heads up: Many visitors from out of town mention the rocky beach. It's important to note that as a state park, the beach is kept in its natural state with minimal human intervention. So, the rocks you see are all part of its natural charm—no additions or subtractions, I assure you! If you are looking for guaranteed ample sand, I recommend beaches closer to...

I visited on a Monday morning in early October after dropping someone off at the airport. The parking lots were $10 for the North and $15 for the South at 9am, I was able to use the diagonal parking along the highway at no cost. I spent over an hour hiking up and on the bluff then took the stairs back to the beach. I was surprised to find it so empty! It is beautiful. I found a flat rock just steps from the stairs that is the perfect height and size for two or three people to share while removing their shoes for s walk in the surf. I arrived 3 hours after high tide and there was plenty of dry sand below the cliffs. The clouds are very beautiful with layers of sandstone. Some layers are very colorful. However, there were at least two pulled of sand and debris up near the cliffs that appeared to have fallen within the last_weeks or months so I didn't spend much time near the cliffs. The beach is quite flat so the surf is more gentle than in Carlsbad where I usually walk. There were a few more people as i got closer to the South parking lot, but it was fast from crowded even though the weather was perfect. We used the benches overlooking the beach for a light snack and the restrooms were convenient and we'll stocked with to and hand soap (but no towels, I always carry a small washcloth to wipe my brow while hiking. It came in handy here). There are also picnic tables with umbrellas that were empty, but the small benches had a better view. Finally, i didn't see any garbage cans, but i don't mind carrying my garbage with me; pack it in, pack it out. I really enjoyed my combination hike...

This is a beautiful beach but if you decide to take a walk on this beach be careful because there is natural tar I stepped in some and it's very hard to get off. Luckily I had an orange and I use the orange oil in the skin to get it off my foot. Parking can be a little difficult and traffic it can be congested in that area I suppose by now they're charging for parking as they are at many San Diego County beaches. The views are astounding there and it is quite beautiful so it is worth the walk because you will not see it from the street but many drone photography shots are taken of this beach. You will see the people doing hang gliding and there are a lot of hiking trails that I haven't been on but it is a beautiful area and definitely worth it if you have some time to spend. But if you just want to get a really good view of the beaches and have easy parking and easy access to the beach this may not be the...