If you enjoy viewing the sculpted sandstone and rare trees at Torrey Pines, but don’t like the crowds and high parking fees, you need to check out this hike. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Extension was acquired in 1970, 11 years after the main Torrey Pines Reserve became an official State Park. Local conservation groups, concerned about the destruction of rare Torrey Pines north of Penasquitos Lagoon, garnered national media attention and managed to raise the funds necessary to acquire and establish the extension. Continue reading Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Extension→
Batiquitos Lagoon is one of the few remaining tidal wetlands in southern California. Located between Carlsbad and Encinitas, the Lagoon was chosen as a mitigation site in the 1980’s to offset development in San Pedro Harbor by the Port of Los Angeles. As a result, Batiquitos was dredged to remove accumulating silt and restore tidal flow to the Lagoon. Today Batiquitos Lagoon has been restored to a beautiful 610 acre preserve that is home to numerous fish, birds, plants, and mammals, and serves as a popular recreation spot for San Diegans looking for an easy, coastal stroll. Continue reading Batiquitos Lagoon→
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of the most well known hiking destinations in San Diego. It is home to the rare Torrey Pine tree, which grows only in San Diego and Santa Rosa island. The Reserve was originally established in 1899 as a public City park, and throughout the years has been expanded and received increased protection for the unique and diverse plants and creatures living there.
There are a number of short trails at Torrey Pines, all of which provide some spectacular views of the geological artistry and uniquely shaped trees that permeate the area. You can view the Reserve’s trail map and devise your own route, or follow the route I describe below to hit most of the major highlights. Continue reading Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve→
Cabrillo National Monument is San Diego’s only National Park property. Originally established in 1913, it memorializes the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542 – the first time a European expedition landed on the west coast of the United States. Continue reading Cabrillo National Monument Bayside Trail→
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve is a 1000 acre reserve situated between Solana Beach and Encinitas. The Reserve has seven miles of interconnecting trails passing through diverse ecological habitats including a riparian creekside, dry coastal sage scrub, boggy marshes, open grasslands, and coastal wetlands. San Elijo is home to numerous species of plants and animals, and provides an important stopover point for migrating birds. Continue reading San Elijo Lagoon→
Confession time: I’ve lived in San Diego for 18 years, and I hardly ever go to the beach. You have to find parking, there’s frequently large groups of people, you get sand in weird places, and hanging out at the beach usually means long periods of sitting still in the hot sun… I mean, I don’t hate it or anything, but aside from taking the dogs to run loose on Fiesta Island, when we’re looking to get outside we pretty much always choose to go hiking rather than hitting the beach.
But then comes summer, and it gets too hot to enjoy most of our favorite hiking trails. If only there were some magical way to combine the cooler temperatures and refreshing ocean waters found at the beach with our preferred activity of hiking… Duh. We can hike at the beach! Continue reading Border Field State Park – Coast Trail→
