Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve protects the last significant stand of Torrey pines in the world, growing on eroded sandstone bluffs above the Pacific just south of Del Mar. The reserve has about eight miles of hiking trails ranging from short cliff-edge walks to longer routes down to the beach through the coastal scrub.
The views from the bluffs on a clear morning — which is most mornings — are exceptional: the ocean stretching west, the Coronado Islands visible on clear days, and the twisted silhouettes of the pines against the sky. Entry to the reserve is free for pedestrians and cyclists; there is a small parking fee. The Torrey Pines Lodge at the entrance is a 1923 adobe that now houses a small visitor centre and is worth a look in itself.