Torrey Pines Lodge
and Visitor Center

Location: 12600 North Torrey Pines Road. La Jolla, CA (map)
Phone: 858-755-2063; More info: Website

The Torrey Pines Lodge and Visitor Center and adjacent ranger station were built in 1922, originally as the Torrey Pines Lodge, a restaurant with stumpy tables, chintz curtains, lampshades made of Torrey Pine needles, and a jukebox.

Visitors Center Exhibits

The Torrey Pines Lodge and Visitor Center has several animal and plant exhibits, along with information about the park and trails of the Torrey Pines State Reserve, as well as the Los Penasquitos Lagoon. You can watch films about the Torrey Pines Reserve in film/lecture room. When you enter the center, you'll usually be greeted by a Docent, who'll be happy to answer any question and show you around the exhibits. The reserve overlooks Torrey Pines State Beach.

Trails and Activities

There's a parking lot in front of the visitor center, with more parking nearby. From the Torrey Pines Visitor Center, you can easily access the different park trails. The Torrey Pines Docents provide guided nature walks, along with educational programs and hikes for school children throughout San Diego County and beyond.

The original Torrey Pines Lodge was commissioned by Ellen Browning Scripps and probably designed by H.L.Jackson. Architects Richard S. Requa and Herbert Lewis Jackson developed modern methods of using an ancient building material, adobe blocks.

More Details

Parking

There are two designated accessible spaces in both the east and west lots. The east lot is located adjacent to the Lodge, and the west is across the road from the Lodge.

Restroom

A generally accessible restroom is located in the west parking lot.

Torrey Pines State Reserve is located between La Jolla and Del Mar, California, north of San Diego. From Hwy 5, exit on Carmel Valley Road and drive west for about 1.5 miles till you reach the Coast Highway 101. Turn left and proceed along the beach for about a mile. The park entrance is on your right just before the highway begins to climb the Torrey Pines grade. The Lodge and Visitors Center and trailheads are located at the top of the windy road.