Scripps Coastal Reserve
2 Reviews
Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden San Diego follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!
9400 La Jolla Farms Rd.
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 534-2077
32.876051, -117.246748
Hike: 1.1 mile loop Level: Easy
Dogs: Not Allowed Kid-friendly: Yes
Hours: 8am-5pm daily
CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE ON ALL THE HIDDEN GEMS IN LA JOLLA FOR AN AMAZING DAY TRIP!
Scripps Coastal Reserve occupies nearly one thousand acres in La Jolla, California ranging across a complex landscape including mesa top, coastal canyon and bluff, sandy beach, rocky intertidal, submerged coastal plain and deep submarine canyon.
The Knoll
The upland portion of Scripps Coastal Reserve, known as "the Knoll", is the mesa overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Knoll features a half-mile, mostly flat, trail with interpretive signs that meanders through largely native habitats and wildlife.
The westernmost point offers a beautiful view of the ocean, the famous Black’s beach and surf break, and downtown La Jolla. On a clear day, visibility reaches 30 miles or more, and the Los Coronados islands may be visible in Mexico to the south.
The area has been heavily used for over 8,000 years, most recently for farming, grazing, and military training, prior to the gradual recovery of natural habitat, the site’s acquisition by the University of California, and the establishment of the upland area as part of the reserve in 1980.
The Bluffs
The bluffs below and north of the Knoll are a vital habitat for nesting Peregrine Falcons that returned to the site in 2005, occupying an eyrie above Blacks Beach following an absence of 50 years.
While you're in the area, make sure to visit Salk Institute nearby!
The Tide Pools
The tidepools contained by the unusual rocky substrate of the ancient volcanic formation known as “Dike Rock” lie a few hundred meters north of Scripps Pier. They are used intensively by classes from kindergarten to college. Birch Aquarium offers classes for grades K-12, as well as separate outings for any age to learn about life in the tidepools.
There is free public access to swim, surf, walk, birdwatch and tidepool. With the implementation of the new San Diego-Scripps Marine Conservation Area on January 1, 2012, the only take of fish now allowed is that of coastal pelagic (bait) fish by hook and line -- intended for kayak fishermen. See this map of the new reserves adjacent to Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, and link to a list and information about the South Coast Marine Protected Areas provided by the California Department of Fish and Game. Scientific collecting permits are required for research and teaching collecting.
If you follow the trail to the left and down the cliff, you will get to the Mushroom House!
I was finally tipped off that this palace, which you can see from the bluffs, is owned by multi-billionaire Ron Burkle:
Anonymous
Back in tha’ day you could drive your car from the Torrey pines parking lot down the beach and set up a tent and camp out.
There were no gates or fees and no rules! it was wide open. you could spark up a fire anywhere you wanted. The only thing you had to worry about was the tide coming up and you were trapped back there by the water up against the cliffs! After the tide went back down you could pack up and leave. The sea life was plentiful and you could just walk down with a rake, gather up some clams and boil em’ on the spot!
Things have changed a lot. The city is crowded and there are laws for everything.
December 17, 2013
Ali
I’d been poking around about that mansion… I *think* it once belonged to Jonas Salk…
January 27, 2015