Torrey Pines

Torrey Pines State Reserve, snuggled between Ja Jolla and Del Mar, is the home to one of the rarest trees in the world. The Torrey Pines only exist in this small coastal strip and on Santa Rosa Island, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California. The heavy June marine layer stretched over the coastal strip yesterday when Kongo visited. A few hundred yards to the east the skies were crystal clear and hot. Along the strip of coast it was all “June Gloom” as the weather phenomena is popularly known in San Diego.

Many of the famous trees are bent and gnarled from the coastal winds and form picturesque shapes against a fascinating landscape.

The frequent coastal fog banks help to protect, nourish, and propagate the pine trees. The annual rainfall in San Diego is only about eight inches a year so these moist marine fogs help to nourish the fragile plant life and slow evaporation.

Severely eroded cliffs drop toward the beach.

Mojave Yucca plants stand atop the beach bluffs.

A late blooming Prickly Pear cactus. — A late-blooming Prickly Pear cactus.

A squadron of Pelicans stream by just below the level of the cliffs

Below the bluffs at Torrey Pines lies famous Black’s Beach, a popular spot where naturists from all over like to hang out. Literally. It’s a steep climb down to the beach if you’re one of the daring.