Best Nature Parks In San Diego Near Me

4worldlovers: Dedicated in 1983, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a 68-acre resource-based park stretching along the Pacific Ocean bordering the western edge of Point Loma.

The 18-acre linear section of the park lies to the west of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard between Adair and Ladera streets.

The 50-acre hillside section, a designated multiple species conservation area, links to the 640-acre Point Loma Ecological Reserve beginning at the Navy property to the south.

The park's topography includes intricately carved coastal bluffs, arches and sea caves. It affords inspiring panoramic ocean views. From the cliffs, California gray whales often can be seen migrating annually from the Bering Sea to Baja California and back.

The Ladera Street area is used for sunset viewing and weddings may also be permitted for a maximum of 50 people. Parking is available on the street or at a number of small lots at the park site. There are no restrooms available.

Take Interstate 8 west to the end. Then follow Sunset Cliffs Boulevard through Ocean Beach to the cliffs and Ladera Street.

The Luscomb Point area is named for Happy Luscomb, a local surfing personality. It is a favorite spot for sunset viewing and weddings, which can be permitted for up to 50 people. Parking is available on the street or at a number of small lots at the park site. There are no restrooms available.

Take Interstate 8 west to the end. Then follow Sunset Cliffs Boulevard through Ocean Beach to the cliffs to where the street ends at Hill Street.

4worldlovers: Rockslides and cliff collapses occur without notice. To increase safety, time your beach visit for low tide, when there is more sand available between the cliffs and the waves, which should help ensure you can keep a minimum distance of 10 feet from the bluffs.

King Tides video clip (10 sec) from Torrey Pines Reserve and Torry Pines SNR cliff falling (13 sec) on Vimeo.


State Natural Reserves have outstanding or unusual natural or scenic values. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a wilderness island in an urban sea. This fragile environment is the home of our nation's rarest pine tree - Pinus torreyana. Once this tree covered a larger area. It now grows only here and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast near Santa Barbara. The park preserves not only the trees, but also one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California. The reserve features high broken cliffs and deep ravines on headlands overlooking the ocean. Hikers can follow trails through stands of wind-sculpted pines. A picturesque, pueblo-style structure that served as a restaurant when it was built in 1923 houses the visitor center, featuring interpretive displays. Picnicking and camping are prohibited in the reserve. The reserve's rich plant community features wildflowers in the spring and visitors can see the California quail gathered in coveys in the early mornings of fall and winter.


Torrey Pines State Beach can also be reached by trail from the Reserve.


Annual Passes are now sold at the entrance kiosk station operated by our concessionaire, LAZ Parking. The entrance kiosk station is open from 8:00am to approximately a 1/2 hour before sunset 365 days a year. For more park information go to Torreypine.org/reserveinfo.

One of the more common complaints in the summer time at Torrey Pines is the parking. When the South Beach lot fills up, we close the entrance and visitors need to head to North Beach for parking. There is now a flashing light on the top of the kiosk to alert visitors when the gate is closed. This early alert system will enable visitors to go directly to the North Beach parking lot and avoid having to make a u-turn at the closed entrance to the South Beach lot. Once you know exactly where to look, you can even see the light from the top of High Bridge or Carmel Valley Rd. See map below for some locations to look for the flashing light.


Stay on trail – Walking off trail causes erosion, tramples plants and frightens wildlife.


No pets – Dogs frighten wildlife and their waste causes nesting animals to abandon their young.


No food in the reserve – Help keep our animals wild and healthy by picnicking only at the beach.

No drones – To prevent possible resource damage from accidents and to avoid frightening animals.

No picking/collecting natural features – Pinecones and flowers must be left to produce seeds to grow new plants. It also allows fellow visitors to enjoy the fauna.

No smoking/open flames – Torrey Pines has a high fire danger. The plants found here are dry and flammable.

No amplified music – Respect your fellow hikers and enjoy the sounds of nature while in the reserve.

The 2 most common rattlesnakes you will see here are the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake and the Red Diamond Rattlesnake. The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake is the one you will most likely run into in the park. If you do see a rattlesnake while hiking, stop and wait until the snake leaves the area. It has mostly likely felt you coming from the vibrations you've made walking on the trail. If it doesn't leave, turn around and notify a park employee or volunteer. Snakes are more willing to leave you alone and find something more manageable to strike and eat (unless you try to take a selfie with it). On rare occasions, snakes do land on the beach having been pushed or fallen off the cliffs. Notify a park employee so that the snake can be returned to a more suitable location to live. Do not try to relocate or pickup the snake yourself.

Docent Led Hikes: Every weekend day and nationally observed holidays at 10:00 a.m.

Mindfulness Walks: Meet at the visitor center every Sunday 8am to 10am.

Docent-Led Children’s Program: Offered September through May of the school year: First Friday morning of the month plus Tuesday and Thursday mornings, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day weeks. More information on the reservation process is available at: Group Field Trips and Hikes (Torrey Pines Docent Society)