Torrey Pines Story | Parenting OC

Torrey Pines States Natural Reserve Trails — The trails at Torrey Pines offer spectacular views of the coastline.
(Photo Courtesy of The Lodge at Torrey Pines)

At the Nature Reserve and luxury Lodge, spring means adventure and indulgence on the bluffs.

If you are thinking about nearby spring break travel options that combine outdoor adventure with indoor splendor, consider Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla. In about an hour by car from much of OC, you and the kiddos can be walking on a seaside bluff at the wild and spectacular Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, then kicking it afterwards at this gem of a lodge.

The trails offer easy walking with overlooks from shoreline cliffs that make you feel like you are at the edge of the Earth. For the budding botanist in your family, there’s the chance to see a superbloom this spring, along with the ever-present Torrey Pines. Actually that’s a slight oxymoron, as these pines are not “ever” present but critically endangered, and the grove located in the Torrey Pines Reserve is one of only two groves in existence, the other located on Santa Rosa Island, making the Torrey Pine the rarest tree in the nation. They are distinguished by a broad canopy and grow among the sage and chapparal. They reach a height of only about 50 feet and can be identified as Torrey Pines by their needles. They have piñon nuts and five needles to a bunch (other pines with piñon nuts have two needles to a bunch).

Torrey Pine atop a sandstone-carved cliff — *The rarest tree in the nation, the Torrey Pine, in one of its last strongholds, atop a sandstone-carved cliff.*
*(Photo Courtesy of San Diego Tourist Authority).*

*An aerial view above the Lodge, the golf course and the Pacific.*

Of the 2,000 acres of sandy beach and coastal bluffs within Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, there are 8 miles of trails, offering generally good footing and an ocean view for every level. The trails are well maintained, but the string of atmospheric rivers this year may have caused more erosion than normal, so be aware. Rock slides and cliff collapsing can occur without notice. Go to the California State Park website to check trail and beach status when planning your day. If you’re lucky, you can spot a migrating gray whale in the winter months. Among the more popular trails is the Guy Fleming Loop trail (0.7 mile), which offers gentle terrain, views of the Pacific, and pine groves. Slightly more challenging, the 2.5-mile Broken Hill Trail traverses through carved sandstone cliffs, sagebrush, and wildflowers. A superbloom of wildflowers is expected at the Gliderport, where adrenaline junkies launch their hang gliders and para-gliders. The view, and the soaring humans carving through it, are spectacular. If you want to give anti-gravity a try, lessons and tandem rides are available. (Uh, “no thanks” is my response to that). From the Gliderport, the steeper Beach Trail with rugged steps will take you down to the sands of Black Beach, where clothing is optional. And if you skipped over that last sentence and you take the family to Black Beach, you will find yourself in an awkward situation with a lot of explaining to do. You can access the Torrey Pines State Beach from the north without a hike, “and the swimmers, surfers, and sandcastle builders will be fully clothed,” advises www.visitcalifornia.com. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve has free public guided walks for families and small groups offered on weekends and holidays at 10 am and 2 pm. There’s no entrance fee to the park itself, but lots cost $10 to $25 per vehicle.

*The California Craftsmans architecture of the Lodge seen outside pays homage to the houses of Greene and Greene in Pasadena*

*A plunge in the pool refreshes after a day hiking.*

“A good walk spoiled” was one wise man’s four-word phrase for the four-letter word of golf. But no matter how many strokes it takes to get around either one of the two 18-hole courses at Torrey Pines Golf Course, the gorgeous surroundings make the game here spoil-proof. Majestic ocean views transform the North Course and the South Course into a player’s paradise. If you are even just mildly interested in golf, the longer South course at Torrey Pines stands out as one of the few courses where the general public can play where PGA legends play. Native San Diegan Phil Mickelson has multiple wins here, and Tiger Woods’ 2008 US Open win here after forcing a playoff was one of the most exciting finishes in golf history. The Farmers Insurance Open takes place every January, and this year Max Homa was the winner.

Soak in the hot tub — *One the things that make you go Ahhh.*

I was completely fooled by The Lodge at Torrey Pines. As we arrived and pulled up into the portico where a doorman in a Scottish kilt greeted us, and we walked through the three-panel stained glass doors and stood in the stunning lobby with the soaring architecture, I was certain the Lodge was built more than a 100 years ago. I lived in Pasadena for 20 years, visited the Gamble House on Orange Grove several times, and even bought and helped restore a 1910 Craftsman house of my own. The post-and-beam construction, the elaborate joinery, the Batchelder tile and the Stickley-style furniture inside, along with the Arts Movement lighting fixtures all placed the Lodge in the same family as the Greene and Greene houses built in Pasadena, right after the turn of the century. In fact, the Lodge opened a hundred years later, in 2002, and is a homage to the Arts and Crafts Movement. Many architectural details are exact copies of features on the Gamble House (built in 1908) and the Blacker House (1907). The Lodge was designed by associate architect William Hughes. Former director and curator of The Gamble House, Randell Makinson, worked as a special supervisor on the project. The most luxurious suites at the Lodge are named after Gamble, Blacker and Mackinson. I am nerding out a bit here, and this isn’t Architectural Digest, so if you are interested, go to www.thecraftsmanbungalow.com. You might find this as fascinating as I do.

Suffice to say, the exquisite craftsmanship on display and its residential style has the Ahhhh effect one gets in the presence of great architecture and sets a relaxed-and-pampered tone for the visit. The Lodge, which has been awarded the AAA Five Diamond rating for 16 consecutive years, is “right-sized” at 170 rooms, not too big, not too small. The rooms are spacious with large fireplaces and grand balconies or verandas that take full advantage of the sweeping ocean views. Larger suites are as much as 2500 square feet. More ways to make you say, Ahhh—in addition to the ahhhchitecture—include The Spa at Torrey Pines and a gazebo-shaded hot tub with ocean view.

a dip in the pool after a hike — *A dip in the pool after a hike*

*The spacious rooms at the Lodge showcase the ocean view with large decks and verandas.*

The two restaurants on the property offer fine dining in the upscale A.R. Valentien, and casual dining at the Grill at Torrey Pines. A. R. Valentien Executive Chef Kelli Crosson’s menu changes daily depending on what’s offered at local farmers’ markets, as well as from other local growers, ranchers and fishermen. The Valentien’s wine list features California wines exclusively. While dinner inside at A.R. Valentien was a fantastic experience, breakfast on the spacious outdoor terrace above the pool came with the unforgettable golf-course-and-ocean views the Lodge is known for. Planned tentatively for an opening in April is a new pool dining venue (at press time, yet to be named), “where guests can indulge in memorable dishes and drinks while taking in the views of the Torrey Pines Golf Course and blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, “ says Media Relations Manager Robert Arends. A.R. Valentien’s numerous awards include Sunset Magazine’s Best Resort Restaurant in the West.

Rooms for a family of four at The Lodge at Torrey Pines start at $599 when you book directly with the property. Call the Lodge for rates and availability at the larger suites, which offer the option of a second bedroom. www.lodgetorreypines.com.

By Randall Tierney