Located in La Jolla, California, Torrey Pines Golf Course sits on the coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is recognized as the premier municipal golf course owned and operated by a city. It is named after the Torrey Pine, a rare tree that grows in the wild only along this local stretch of the coastline in San Diego County and on Santa Rosa Island.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve® is located within San Diego city limits and yet remains one of the wildest stretches of land on our Southern California coast! Because of the efforts and foresight of the people in this area, 1,500 acres of land are as they were before San Diego was developed — including the maritime chaparral, the rare Torrey pine, miles of unspoiled beaches, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating seabirds. One can imagine what California must have looked like to the early settlers, or to the Spanish explorers, or even to the first California residents here, the Kumeyaay people.

The Scripps Institute of Oceanography, a world-famous research facility and graduate school facility for University of California San Diego (UCSD), is nestled at the north end of La Jolla Shores. Birch Aquarium is a fun, family-friendly venue for exploring the research and ocean discoveries of these scientists.

Start at La Jolla Shores, adjacent to the playground and parking lot area. Then, on the sand, turn North (away from the downtown La Jolla Village and La Jolla Cove) and start working. You can walk up to 5 miles in La Jolla in that direction. For 3 miles of this, the cliffs of La Jolla will tune out the busy outside world and let you focus on the expansive ocean and sands. When you reach the Torrey Pines area of La Jolla, you’ll know by the crowds and the trails coming to and from the beach. (That is all a part of the Torrey Pines State Reserve.) You can take paths from the beach up to the cliffs at this reserve – a great way to get a hike in. (You will have to walk along Torrey Pines Road, but it’s for only about 2 blocks.)

Get fantastic views of La Jolla by taking the walk from La Jolla Shores, up and North, to the Village and back.

Our favorite Southern California ice cream spot!