Torrey Pines Closure 2026–27
No. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve has been closed to all visitors since September 22, 2026, while California State Parks finishes a utility and accessibility project, and it is scheduled to reopen around March 1, 2027. The closure covers walkers and cyclists as well as cars. Torrey Pines State Beach, its North Beach and South Beach parking lots, and the trails in the Reserve Extension north of the lagoon are still open.
Closure at a Glance
What Is Closed
State Parks closed the reserve's road to vehicles on September 21, 2026, and the whole reserve to everyone the next day. The closure includes:
- every trail in the main reserve, including the Guy Fleming, Razor Point, Broken Hill and Beach trails
- the Beach Trail staircase down to Flat Rock
- the historic park road, which is also closed to people on foot and on bikes
- both upper parking lots
- the Lodge (the visitor center) and the trail information kiosk in the west lot
What Is Still Open
The beach side of Torrey Pines is open as usual. You can park at the South Beach lot off North Torrey Pines Road or the North Beach lot off Carmel Valley Road and walk the state beach. At low tide the sand runs south under the cliffs toward Black's Beach, but keep well away from the bluffs, which collapse without warning.
The State Parks Park Information page also lists the trails in the Reserve Extension, the separate piece of the reserve north of Los Peñasquitos Lagoon in Del Mar, as open. Parking there is on nearby streets.
Why It Is Closed
This is the second phase of a multiyear project. State Parks is laying new gas, water, wastewater and communication lines, and building accessible parking stalls and an accessible path from the upper lot to the new restroom and the Lodge. The first phase, mostly underground, also removed the old restroom building.
The work runs in phases because the reserve is a protected natural reserve. State Parks says the schedule follows the nesting season of the California gnatcatcher, a protected songbird, and lets crews watch for harm to coastal sage scrub and the rare Torrey pines.
When It Reopens
State Parks schedules the reopening for March 2027, with full access expected by about March 1. That is a target, not a promise. Before you drive out in early 2027, check the State Parks reserve page or the construction page, which State Parks updates first.
Passes and Refunds
State Parks passes stay valid everywhere else in the system, including the Torrey Pines State Beach lots. In North County that also means Cardiff, San Elijo, South Carlsbad and Carlsbad state beaches. State Parks does not refund passes when a park closes.
Where to Hike Instead
- The Reserve Extension trails in Del Mar, a short drive north
- The Gliderport side of the cliffs: the Torrey Pines Gliderport is a City of San Diego park, not part of the reserve
- A low-tide walk on the state beach from the North Beach lot
State Parks also points out that 28 other California state parks lie within 50 miles of the reserve.
Torrey Pines Closure 2026–27 FAQ
Is Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve open right now?
No. The reserve has been closed to all visitors, on foot, bike or by car, since September 22, 2026. State Parks schedules it to reopen around March 1, 2027.
Is Torrey Pines State Beach open during the closure?
Yes. Torrey Pines State Beach and its North Beach and South Beach parking lots stay open. Only the reserve above the beach is closed.
Can I hike the Torrey Pines trails during the closure?
Not in the main reserve: every trail there is closed, including the Beach Trail stairs. State Parks lists the Reserve Extension trails north of the lagoon as open.
Why is Torrey Pines closed?
For phase two of a State Parks project that adds new utility lines, a new restroom and accessible parking and paths between the upper lot and the Lodge.
Will I get a refund on my State Parks pass?
No. State Parks does not refund passes when a park closes, but passes stay valid at other state parks and at the Torrey Pines State Beach lots.