Hiking the Guy Fleming Trail

This trail is located in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, a beautiful area about 20-30 minutes north of San Diego. To access the reserve, park in the lot off of North Torrey Pines Road (pay $10 to park). If you don't want to walk up the huge hill at the beginning (it is steep and long), I believe there's another parking lot at the top you can drive to. If you want to avoid paying, have someone drop you off outside the bottom lot and walk to the top. Again, the walk to the top up the paved road is about 20 minutes uphill, but the good news is it's the hardest part of any Torrey Pines hiking.

Once you are at the top, you have a bunch of trail options. The first option you come to (and the most popular) is the Guy Fleming Trail. The marked trail head will be on your right-hand side as you come to the top of the paved road. This is a ~0.7 mile loop with hardly any elevation gain that takes you along the side of the cliffs and has incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. It is relaxing and beautiful and there are a couple of great lookouts to the north and south along the coast. At least one of the lookouts had a bench where you could sit and relax or have a snack.

This trail is definitely great for families with young kids since it's easy but the views are very rewarding, however you are walking along the side of cliffs so be careful with younger children.

Make sure to bring sunscreen because it's southern California and there isn't too much shade.

Total Distance: 0.7mi

Total Time: 30 minutes at a leisurely pace