Free Flash Slideshow by cu3ox.com v1.1

Exploring the beautiful nature of California


California Nature: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve


Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a coastal state park located in the California community of La Jolla, California, off North Torrey Pines Road . Although it is located within San Diego, California city limits, it remains one of the wildest stretches of land on the Southern California coast. It is bordered immediately on the south by Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course and on the north by the city of Del Mar, California.

The reserve consists of a plateau with cliffs that overlook Torrey Pines State Beach, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating seabirds. Many different kinds of wildlife and flora are found within the reserve, including bobcats, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, rabbits, rattlesnakes, cacti, coastal chaparral, and the rare Torrey pine. The eight miles of trails within the park offers an attraction for hikers and beach-goers, and a small museum sits at the top. From the cliffs or many places along the beach, it is possible to see La Jolla to the south and Del Mar to the north. At the southern end of the beach is a large rock that projects into the ocean, called Flat Rock.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve a true California nature treature Because of the efforts and foresight of the people in this area, 2000 acres of land are as they were before San Diego was developed with the chaparral plant community, the rare and elegant Torrey pine trees, miles of unspoiled beaches, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating seabirds.

Torrey Pines is visited by travelers from all over the world and by local residents who come daily to rest at the stunning overlooks, walk a peaceful trail, or exercise in a clean, beautiful environment. Spend some time at this web site, then come spend some time at beautiful Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located in an area which lies closer to the equator than to the north pole. Because of this, our waters are almost semi-tropical and possess many marine organisms with close relatives from farther south. Our coastal climate is characterized as Mediterranean - that is, with mild winters and temperate summers, which encourages the occurrence of marine flora and fauna that are transitional between true tropical and true temperate.
Torrey pine trees are the rarest native pines in the United States. If you take the Torrey pine growing in one small grove on Santa Rosa Island as being distinct, that tree could possibly be the rarest pine of all.

The Torrey pine is two trees. The subspecies growing on Santa Rosa Island off the coast of Santa Barbara is obviously different. The island tree, Pinus torreyana insularis, grows shorter, broader, and bushier. It could actually be used as a shade tree. Our local tree gives only sparse shade. Insularis bark is thicker and scalier. Its cones are rounder.

The seeds of the Torrey pine are edible nuts. These are larger than those of all but one rare piñon. They are also much harder. You could break your teeth trying to eat them. The same could be said for the nuts of the Coulter and Digger pines. The Italian and Swiss stone pines are named for their edible stones. You could say that all pine seeds are edible, but many of them are too small for humans to bother with.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in California Nature Torrey Pines Reserve is a great place for nature walks and hiking. Hikers are advised to bring and carry their own water on the trails, especially in the summertime. There are some water fountains near the road, but there is no place in the park to buy food or drink. Razor Point Trail offers dramatic views of gorge, badlands, spring wildflowers, and picturesque trees. There are several overlooks into Canyon of the Swifts and a fine viewpoint at the tip of Razor Point.

The Beach Trail offers popular beach access, but is the least scenic traill, and has few trees, and a steep decline. The final beach entry becomes very narrow.  If you plan to hike down and then walk back to the lower parking lot along the beach, remember to check the tides. Also, winter storms may remove much of the beach sand and walking can be difficult over cobbles and rocks for the 3/4 mile to the parking lot.

The Guy Fleming trail is a loop six tenths of a mile long. If you start off to the right you will soon see the bird bath. It is not a natural feature, but the birds seem to like it, and mammals too. Foxes and bobcats have been seen here.
At the North Overlook you can inspect the Torrey pines up close. You can count the needles to make sure they really do come five to a bundle and see cones from their golf-ball sized first year to their mature third year and beyond. To the north there is a view of Peñasquitos Lagoon. This is one of the few brackish water wetlands left in Southern California. It is a breeding area for many invertebrates, fish and birds. Three rare birds live in the marsh: the California clapper rail, Gelding's savanna sparrow, and the least tern.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is an unusual place and one that offers a great diversity of things to see. It has been known as an unusual place for a long time. Spanish sailors in the 1500's saw trees growing on a high bluff and marked it on their charts as Punta de los Arboles or Wooded Point, a good reference point on a dry coast where trees are common only along streams or in the mountains many miles inland.
 
 
Website Created by Website Creations

About us      Privacy Disclaimer      Advertisers     Contact Us     Bookstore    Sitemap     Search    Floridian Nature