Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

San Diego Metro KOA

Chula Vista, CA

January 12, 2022

Torrey Pines SNR is located within the city limits of San Diego yet it remains "one of the wildest stretches of land on the Southern California coast".  

Thanks to the efforts of naturalist Guy Fleming (May 1884-May 1960) and all the dedicated people who followed his lead, we can enjoy these 2,000 acres of land just as they were before San Diego was developed.

This includes the maritime chaparral , the rare Torrey Pine, miles of unspoiled beaches, a lagoon, and a salt marsh.  When reading about the reserve, it says to keep in mind that a reserve is not a park. A reserve is a protected area targeted for conservation with an emphasis  on protecting threatened plants, animals, habitats or a specific geological feature.  Reserves have restrictions that parks do not have. Examples include no food or drink allowed except water, no pets and no smoking.   

TPSNR includes eight miles of trails offering a variety of distances and a Visitor Center commissioned in 1922.  An entrance fee per car is collected at the gate and hours are from 8:00 am to sunset. 

We have hiked in the reserve several times over the years.  It is amazingly beautiful and peaceful and there is something quite magical about meandering among the rarest of all pines in the United States.  The rare Torrey Pines are only found at this reserve and on Santa Rosa Island and are listed as endangered.  It all began in the 1980s with a combination of drought and a bark beetle infestation.  Over 650 Torrey Pines have died as a result.  Efforts began, and are still ongoing, to trap the beetles. Because Torrey Pines is a Reserve, the policy is to let nature take its course.  

This grove of Torrey Pines on the northwest side of the Guy Flemming Trail is gone.  When we first visited the reserve in February 2015, there was a nice grove here on both sides of the trail .  The blue tubes are seedling Torrey Pines that have been transplanted from other sections of the reserve.    

I found it interesting that it takes around 3 years for a pine cone on these magnificent trees to mature and produce seeds. 

 

It's also interesting to note that many animals eat the pine nuts and even the seedling trees and very few seedling trees grow to maturity.  

Many older cones remain on the tree, but if you do see one on the ground...it is illegal to remove it from the reserve.

I could go on and on...nature is so amazing and fascinating !

It's not hard to find other things to photograph when walking these trails.  There are flowers...

Agave

  

California Poppy

Milkmaid

Verbena

Sea Dahlia

And one of my favorites...Prickly pear Cactus

We all spent awhile at one of the overlooks watching the dolphins play... 

This photo was taken from an overlook way up on a cliff.  I was so wishing I had my big lens on the camera.  

the fog roll in... 

listening to the  pounding waves...

and hoping to see a pair of Peregrine Falcons that the docent said were nesting in the cliff wall.

I'll close by adding that if you are in San Diego, we think Torrey Pines is a must see.  And as with most posts, a few more photos !

Growing on a cliff face...

  

California Towhee

Something old, something new...

Looking towards LaJolla

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS!

Hillcrest Farmer's Market and MB

San Diego Metro KOA

Chula Vista, CA

January 11, 2022

Sundays in San Diego are for going to Hillcrest Farmer's Market.  I don't really care if we need anything or not, it's just a fun place to go. What started in 1997 with 27 vendors has grown to become San Diego's largest market with 150+ canopies filled with a huge variety of things to sell.  I'm hungry the moment I step out of the jeep.  The air is a plethora (I love that word !) of mouthwatering smells...chicken grilling, salmon smoking on wooden planks, and a variety of internationally cuisines being prepared. 

And if you are thirsty, no problem.  I've never seen so many different kinds of coffees, teas, juices and smoothies to choose from.   

Fresh fish, fresh eggs, fresh baked breads, and fresh cut flowers are plentiful.  

Colorful and in season veggies, fruits, berries, and mushrooms are abundant.  

There is a nice variety of potted plants with so many choices of succulents, herbs, fruit trees and hanging baskets.  

The choices for cheeses, oils, nuts, sauces, pastas, dips, etc. seem endless.  And if that is not enough, it's fun to browse the many artisans selling unique and beautiful crafted items like tunics made with Italian linen, French brocade table- cloths, original art pieces, wooden utensils and serving bowls, and knives just to name a few.

 

Does anyone remember macrame?  In the 70s it was "hip" to macrame.  I made my share of plant hangers like the ones in the photo and even a pocketbook or two.  Heads up, macrame might be making a comeback.  

There aren't many places I can think of where you can get breakfast, groceries, pretty or useful things for the house, something new to wear and lunch (or dinner) to take home all in one stop.  For me,  Hillcrest FM is all about the goods...Little Italy FM is all about the city.  Each is unique and both are tons of fun.

Mission Beach or MB as the locals refer to it, was yesterdays fun.  While Ronnie and Carol ride their bikes for miles,  Joe and I walk a few miles.  We set a time and all meet for lunch afterwards.  MB is San Diego's "lively take on the classic boardwalk".  

The almost two mile paved, two-lane, walk is between the condos/houses and the wall you see in the photo above.  It is always a flurry of bikers, skaters and skate boarders.  We prefer this...

There were not many people enjoying this gorgeous morning. And the only birds we noticed were Willets and Gulls that were very busy and enjoying breakfast.   

There are lots of little side walks lined with small homes that  give folks access to the beach.  My favorite is Island Court which connects Mission Blvd to the boardwalk and ocean.  

Island Court...the walk we take from the beach to meet Ronnie and Carol.

For several years, Luigi's has been our go-to place for lunch at MB. There is inside or patio sitting and they serve up icy cold brews, and yummy pizza by the pie or by the slice AND, the company is awesome !

Belmont Park is also located at MB.  It is home to the Giant Dipper...a wooden roller coaster built in 1925.  After peaking in the 30s, the park and the coaster had their share of financial woes.  

When it finally closed in 1976, a group of concerned citizens formed a committee to restore the coaster and bring it back to life.  Three years and $2 million later, the Giant Dipper stands as an icon and can be enjoyed by many.  It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

It stands 75 ' tall with a max speed of 48 mph.  It's noted for sharp curves and big dips.  One of these nights, I really want to ride it. Coasters are much more fun at night don't you think?  I always loved the wooden coaster at Miracle Strip Park in Panama City Beach, FL!

Today was spent amongst the rarest pine species in the United States...more on that later.  Until then, 

  

HAPPY TRAILS!