Good Morning, Torrey Pines!

Good morning from San Diego. You know, in quest of travel articles I’ve hiked in some exceptional spots . . . from Maui’s Seven Sacred Pools to British Columbia’s Canadian Rockies to Wilder Kaiser in the Austrian Alps. But once home I always head to the coast for my daily fix – a morning walk at Torrey Pines State Reserve, which I do religiously Monday through Friday, hot or cold (usually perfect temp), rain or shine (albeit mostly shine). So, here's my plan. I'm going to share with you a bit of my beloved Torrey Pines and from time to time, take you there on this blog. The most recent highlight of these walks is that my daughter Erin has been able to join me on some of the mornings, like today. This morning's hike began in the fog, reflective of the photo taken at 7:45 a.m.

To learn more about Torrey Pines, keep reading. Here's an excerpt from an article I wrote for TheCarmelValleyLife.com.

Torrey Pines - Here I’ve been in the company of hikers, bikers, rollerbladers and practitioners of tai chi, and I’ve observed flocks of sea gulls, schools of dolphins and a sole beached sea lion. Every day is different, every day is special.

The reserve is named for its indigenous five-needle pine, the Torrey Pine – America’s rarest native pine tree found only in the State Reserve area and on the island of Santa Rosa off the Santa Barbara coast.

But regardless of where I’ve traveled, I return with the same evaluation: Our nearby reserve is a local treasure, one that offers eight miles of hiking trails. Among my favorites:

Razor Point Trail (2/3 mile to the point) – Sprinkled with wildflowers in spring and dramatic views of the gorge, there are several overlooks into Canyon of the Swifts and a not-to-be-missed overlook at the tip of Razor Point.

Beach Trail (3/4 mile to Flat Rock and the beach) – It may be the least scenic but the trail’s beach access is popular, with final beach entry along steep, narrow steps. Tip: If you plan to hike down and walk north along the beach, remember to check the tides.

Guy Fleming Trail (2/3 mile loop) – It’s not a difficult trail – relatively level and not lengthy, but its beauty is unparalleled. With ocean vistas, sandstone formations, twisted, wind-shapen trees, seasonal flowers and two primetime overlooks – it’s my favorite.

The view of the coast from Del Mar to Carlsbad and beyond can be enjoyed from a wooden bench at the North Lookout. It also provides a birds-eye view of the Peñasquitos Lagoon, one of Southern California’s few remaining brackish water wetlands, which is home to three rare birds: the Light-footed Clapper Rail, Belding's Savanna Sparrow and the California Least Tern.

The South Overlook is a popular romantic spot and sometimes host to small weddings. Its view: La Jolla (to the south), San Clemente and Santa Catalina Islands (on a clear day), dolphins (almost any day) and gray whales (in season).

Photo: Cynthia Dial