Category: Places to Explore

If you visit San Diego, someone is bound to tell you to hike Torrey Pines. And they are absolutely right—you should. The sweeping ocean views, the rugged cliffs, and the iconic coastal chaparral make it an amazing, quintessential Southern California experience.

But there is a catch: everyone else knows it’s amazing, too.

Very few people will ever tell you to hike the Torrey Pines Extension. In fact, most tourists – and even many locals – don’t even know it exists. Located just inland from North Torrey Pines Beach, separated from the main reserve by the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon, this smaller, quieter pocket of wilderness is an absolute hidden gem.

Before we dive into my favorite route through the Extension, it helps to understand why this land is so incredibly special.

The Rarest Pine in North America

To appreciate the Extension, you have to know a little bit about the tree that gives the area its name. The Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana) is the rarest pine tree in North America. Today, it grows naturally in only two places on Earth: right here on the San Diego coast, and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast of Santa Barbara.

These gnarly, wind-sculpted trees are a living relic of the Ice Age. Thousands of years ago, the climate here was cooler and wetter, and Torrey Pines thrived. As the region transformed into a dry desert ecosystem, the pines died off, surviving only in this specific microclimate where the coastal fog provides just enough moisture to keep them alive.

In the early 1900s, philanthropists like Ellen Browning Scripps and visionary locals like Guy Fleming realized this rare forest was at risk of being completely wiped out by development. Thanks to their massive conservation efforts, the main Torrey Pines City Park was protected (eventually becoming a State Natural Reserve in 1959).

But what about the Extension? In the late 1960s, a pristine grove of Torrey Pines across the lagoon was slated to be bulldozed for residential housing. A grassroots group of passionate locals banded together, raised millions of dollars, and partnered with the state to purchase the land, permanently saving what we now know as the Torrey Pines Extension.

Hiking the Extension: A 3-Mile Hidden Loop

Because it’s tucked away behind a residential area, the Extension sees a fraction of the foot traffic of the main reserve. You get the same dramatic sandstone landscapes, the same rare trees, and the same stunning ocean vistas, but with an immense sense of peace and quiet.

I had hiked the Torrey Pines Extension once about two years ago and absolutely loved it. However, because dogs aren’t allowed on the trail, it fell off my regular rotation. Now, with Pisco gone, returning here finally found its way back onto my to-do list—and it was every bit as special as I remembered.

I’m especially a fan of going in the spring when the trails burst with colorful native wildflowers, but I just hiked it recently and can confirm: it is beautiful year-round.

There are basically 2 main trails in the Extension, and each one is an out-and-back, but I found a way to connect them so I didn’t have to go out-and-back on one and then out-and-back on the other.

Here is a breakdown of the 3-mile loop I took (see the route map at the bottom of this post!):

The Ascent: The hike starts with a good, heart-pumping uphill climb. You’re immediately surrounded by beautifully rugged landscape, winding through the unique sandstone formations and chaparral.

The Neighborhood Views: As you crest the hill, you’ll come out into a beautiful, quiet Del Mar neighborhood. I’m always a fan of walking through neighborhoods like this because the houses are fun to look at. And this route did not disappoint.

The Best Elementary School in the World? One of the most interesting parts of this specific route is that it takes you right past Del Mar Heights Elementary School. Their baseball field and grassy recess space look directly out over the Pacific Ocean. Can you imagine going to a school like that? It has to be the most scenic playground in the state.

Hidden Parking and View: The best part of this hike, in my opinion, was actually a surprise to me. At the top of the other trail, the one we were heading back down on, there is a parking area with killer views. This is a great secret spot for watching sunsets! (Shhh….don’t tell anyone.)

The Overlook: After heading back down into the canyon, we took a final detour back up to an overlook on the left-hand side of the trail. There is a strategically placed bench waiting for you at the top. It is the perfect spot to sit, catch your breath, and enjoy a few minutes of well-deserved rest while staring out at the water.

Know Before You Go

• Location: The main trailheads for the Extension are located off Del Mar Scenic Parkway and Mira Montana Drive.
• Leave No Trace: Just like the main reserve, this is a protected habitat. Stay on the marked trails to protect the shallow roots of the Torrey Pines, and remember that no dogs or food are allowed on the trails.

• Be Snake Aware: Like everywhere in San Diego, you might encounter a rattlesnake. On a previous visit, a hiker heading down warned us they had just passed one on the trail. We didn’t end up seeing it, but it was a good reminder that they’re definitely around! Many of the trails are fairly narrow, so wear long pants or tall socks to protect against brush (and snakes!), and keep a lookout while you hike.
• The Route: Check out my map below for the exact 3-mile loop we took!

Have you ever explored the Torrey Pines Extension, or do you usually stick to the main reserve? Let me know your favorite local trails in the comments!