Best Day Hike

BEST DAY HIKES

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TORREY PINES STATE NATURAL RESERVE

Spectacular hiking trails can be found at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, 12600 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 92037. Sandwiched between Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course on the south and Del Mar on the north, this coastal park offers exquisite ocean vistas and is home to the nation’s rarest pine tree, Pinus torreyana. Free guided tours are available weekends and holidays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., beginning at the Visitor Center (The Lodge). If you prefer to explore alone, the trail system offers easy to moderate routes, with more moderate trails running parallel to the coast at the lower levels of the reserve, and steeper ones that switchback their way down toward the coast. Day-use parking is $10. The park is open from 8 a.m. until sunset daily. torreypine.org.

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THE RIVER PATH DEL MAR

The River Path Del Mar travels along the southern shore of the San Dieguito River for three quarters of a mile. The route is flat, making it great for a leisurely stroll. Hikers get an up-close look at the San Dieguito Lagoon, the river and estuary with interpretive signs about the wetland’s plants and animals. Parking for the River Path is located at the northeastern corner of Jimmy Durante Blvd. and San Dieguito Drive. Hikers can choose to walk eastward to the Grand Ave. Overlook or westward toward the ocean, ending at the train tracks. Plan to enjoy a delicious meal and beverages at the Viewpoint Brewing Co. located directly adjacent to the River Path. sdrvc.org.

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THE COAST TO CREST TRAIL

Located just north of the River Path Del Mar, across the Jimmy Durante Bridge, the Coast to Crest Trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon provides visitors with unique vantage points and the closest access to the very sensitive marsh areas of the Lagoon, the gateway to the San Dieguito River Valley. The lagoon has vital ecological importance for the region as a stopover for birds on the Pacific Flyway and as a nesting and foraging area for endangered, threatened and sensitive animal and plant species. This trail is a favorite destination for nature lovers, especially birders who frequently take photos of the osprey, heron and egret nests location just a few feet from the trail. The 600-foot San Dieguito Lagoon Boardwalk can be accessed via

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the River Path or Coast to Crest Trail. Built by volunteers, the boardwalk extends into the wetlands, offering up-close opportunities for nature study and reflection. For more information about the Coast to Crest Trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon, visit www.sdrp.org.