Home ⎜ Hikes & Wanderings ⎜ California⎜ Torrey Pines to Powerhouse Park

This coastal walk begins at Torrey Pines State Beach and heads north along cliffs and beach to Powerhouse Park in Del Mar, California.

Distance: 6 miles

Time: 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 100 feet

Dog Friendly: Yes. Before 9am and after 6pm (summer); before 9am and after 4pm (October-April).

Trail Notes: This hike can be done barefoot, but bringing shoes or sandals for the gravel-filled areas around the cliffs is recommended.

Trailhead Directions: From I-5, take the Carmel Valley Road exit and turn left (if coming from the south) or right (if coming from the north). Continue for about 1.6 miles to Highway 101 and turn left. Continue over the bridge to the free beach parking (if you can snag a spot) or pay the $12 fee (as of this 2016 writing) and park in the Torrey Pines State Beach parking lot. There is also free parking along Carmel Valley Road if you don’t mind the walk to the beach (adds maybe 5-10 minutes).

Hike Directions: From Torrey Pines State Beach, walk north along the shore to the buttresses of the Del Mar Bridge. Climb up to the train tracks here and continue on a path to your left, walking parallel to the Amtrak train tracks. Continue 3 miles to Powerhouse Park, a dog friendly park on the coast, in Del Mar center.

Scenery: 7/10