Torrey Pines Natural Reserve, California

8 April 20253 May 2025

Having lived on the coast of California, I was determined to watch the sunset each night in San Clemente. I would walk down to the pier, take a stroll along the beach until the last flicker of light disappeared into the horizon. I vowed never to take the experience for granted and wanted to continue my tradition on a recent visit to San Diego. I was so excited to meet my friend Kristi with whom I had hiked so many times. I thought about all of the SoCal hikes we had done as I drove into Torrey Pines Natural Reserve. This is absolutely one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world and I couldn’t wait to take in another Pacific Coast sunset.

We decided we would hike the Guy Fleming Trail because it has the most scenic overlooks. Measuring a short two-thirds of a mile loop, this hike is also known for its wildlife and wildflowers. There are several trails within the reserve including a beach trail. This one is most popular with the locals during the evening hours because it is easy and in good condition as well as provides the most beautiful views of the sunset from here.

Torrey Pines surprisingly reminds me of the Badlands. Approaching the trailhead, we walked up the hill along the paved roadway, but soon turned into a dirt trail. Parts of the hike were somewhat unstable due to water erosion from a previous rain, so we knew to tread carefully and stay away from the edge.

Shortly into the hike, we noticed the berries along the path and the diversity of plant life that grows in Southern California. The best time to see the blooms are during the spring season but there is always some type of vegetation to see throughout the year.

It became clear that we were nearing the edge of the cliff as we caught glimpses of the ocean through the thick vegetation. I was looking forward to the scenic views once I arrived closer to the shore where we could look out into the horizon, or count the number of people strolling the beach below. Ghoulish rock formations hiding between the trees appeared as we continued heading west towards the coast.

Along the path were Mojave Yucca plants growing along the trail and we began to hear the crashing of waves along the Pacific Coast. Looking down towards the beach we noticed the sculpted sandstone canyon. The rocks and vegetation were an interesting desert-like contrast against the ocean and beach below.

The Mojave Yucca plants looked like scarecrows standing along the trail. Adding to the interesting landscape, they appeared as fireworks sprouting out from pillars of hay. The yucca bloom between the months of April to May exhibiting green capsules with white flesh that eventually dry up in the late summer months.

This area is home to the rarest tree in North America, the Torrey Pine, for which the preserve is named. Indigenous to southern California, these pines also grow in Santa Barbara, but only in these two locations. It is for this reason, the Torrey Pines Preserve was designated to protect these trees from further city development.

Along the trail were several scenic lookouts where we stopped to admire the coastline. Looking towards the north, I was able to see Del Mar’s Peñasquitos Marsh which is a part of the preserve. The name is Spanish for little cliffs and forms a natural border between San Diego and Del Mar.

Growing among the rocks were pink sand verbenas that added vibrant color to the clay hues of the sandstone.

Off in the distance, I could see La Jolla Cove as I looked south from the trail. On a clear day, San Clemente and Catalina Island can be seen from here as well.

Peering down from the trail towards the parking lot and entrance station, we were looking up the coast towards the north. From here, we could once again see a small section of the Los Peñasquitos Marsh Natural Preserve and Lagoon.

We began to travel back inland on the trail through a small forest of Torrey Pines. Looking closely at the pines we noticed that their needles grow in bundles of five which is unique to its species. The Kumeyaay Indians collected the pinon nut from the Torrey Pine as food while the needles were used to make baskets.

We were hoping to come across some of the local wildlife on the trail because there were not many hikers that day. The only encounter we had was a small bunny hopping across the path, but foxes and mountain lions have been spotted on the preserve.

We returned to where we had first started our hike and happened to notice shafts of sunlight creating shadows on the rock formations. We had eventually reached the paved road with only a ten minute walk to the entrance gate up the steep Torrey Pines Park Road. With plenty of time to arrive at the beach, I was on schedule to watch the glorious sunset.

What trails have you hiked in Southern California? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my hike through Torrey Pines and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Torrey Pines Natural Preserve
12600 North Torrey Pines Road
San Diego, CA 92307
Telephone: 858 755 2063

Admission Fee: The facility use fee depends on which parking lot you use. South Beach parking during high season (starting at Spring Break until the end of September) costs $15 from Monday – Thursday and $20 from Friday – Saturday. Low season begins in October until Spring Break where fees are $12 from Monday – Thursday and $15 from Friday to Sunday. Note that high season prices may be charged during holidays, so be prepared. For parking on the North Beach, high season (from Spring Break to end of September_ are $10 from Monday – Thursday and $15 from Friday – Sunday. Payment is accepted at the Automated Pay Machine if no staff is available at the kiosk. Low season rates are $3 from Monday – Thursday and $10 from Friday – Saturday. Annual passes are available for $195.
Hours: Open all year from 7:15AM to sunset
Amenities: Visitor center, museum shop, guided nature walks, fishing, parking
Scenic View: Gorgeous views of the coast from the hiking trails and this is the perfect place for watching the sunset.
Length of Visit: 3 – 4 hours, but there are hikes that will take under 1 hour
Tips for Your Visit: This is a popular location for sunset and holidays can be extremely busy. Bring water especially if you are hiking. Food and drink (with the exception of water) is not permitted on the Reserve, but are permitted on the beach. No alcohol on the Reserve and the beach. Dogs are not permitted and there is no smoking allowed. Drones are also banned from the Reserve and beach.

Where to Stay:

San Diego Marriott La Jolla
4240 La Jolla Village Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037
Telephone: 858 587 1414

Where to Eat:

Nozomi La Jolla
4150 Regents Park Row #190
La Jolla, CA 92037
Telephone: 858 452 7778

I absolutely LOVE Nozomi’s Famous Chirashi Salad!

What to Eat:

Burritos at Fred’s on Pacific Beach
Ceviche at Karina’s Ceviches & More
Fish Tacos at Wahoo!
Uni at Pacific Beach’s Sushi Ota

What to Read:

From What I Remember, by Stacy Kramer
Beat, Slay, Love by Thalia Filbert
The Tombs, by Clive Cussler
How to be an American Housewife, by Margaret Dilloway

Photo Guide for La Jolla:

La Jolla Cove
La Plaza La Jolla
The beautiful architecture of La Valencia Hotel
View from the Park Bench at the Museum of Contemporary Art
Salk Institute
Scoops Ice Cream
Scripps Pier and La Jolla Shores

The Sun Setting in Torrey Pines

The Sunset from the Beach at Torrey Pines

Dusk at Torrey Pines State Preserve

BCheck out more photos of Torrey Pines State Preserve in the Gallery below

Grand Tetons: Mormon Row, Snake River and Jackson Hole

12 February 202020 September 2024

Heading north towards the Snake River Overlook, I had several places I wanted to visit along the way, starting with the Chapel of the Transfiguration. This small church, sitting at the base of the Grand Tetons, draws visitors with its beautiful views. From the window behind the altar, a picturesque scene provides an unobstructed panorama of the Grand Tetons. I imagine I would have been distracted by this picturesque scene while attending church here, but then again, it would always be a reminder of God’s beautiful creation.

Located in the park’s Moose area, the Chapel of the Transfiguration is an Episcopal Church located just inside of the South Entrance. Erected in 1925, this congregation an active community providing services for both Episcopalians as well as Eucharists during the summer season.

Traveling north, I found a short detour that led me to Mormon Row. During the summer months, this area is one of the best places to see bison and small herds of pronghorn antelope. It is the perfect backdrop for photographing the farm structures that were once home to Mormon settlers in the early 1900s.

At the last minute, I decided to take the one-mile gravel road to Lower Schwabacher Landing, once used as a starting point for rafting trips. Here, artists once painted some of the most familiar sites of the Teton Range and remains a perfect picnic spot to enjoy the view of the peaks.

I finally reached my afternoon destination. Made famous by world-renowned, photographer, Ansel Adams, the view of Snake River is spectacular. I can clearly see why photographing the overlook has become an obsession for photographers. I spent a few moments imagining myself as an early explorer, witnessing this view for the first time, but needed to start making my way towards Rendevous Mountain at Jackson Hole.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is more popular with skiers during the wintertime, but during the summer a gondola ride up to Rendezvous Mountain is irresistible. The Bridger Gondola provides breathtaking views of the resort below taking only 9 minutes to reach a climb of over 9,000 feet.

The gentle hum of the gondola is therapeutic as the climb continues upwards affording unobstructed sights of Teton Village below. Open only from 4:30PM to 9PM during off-season hours, there is a snack shop and restaurant for taking in the views. It is a perfect time to reflect on all that I experienced here in Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone. I am already looking forward to a future visit where I have promised myself to hike more, explore more and make it another trip to remember.

What are some of your most memorable visits to Grand Teton? What would you add to your itinerary on your next visit? I would love to hear about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading about my adventure to Grand Tetons National Park! Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Grand Teton National Park
PO Box 170
Moose, WY 83012
Telephone: 307 739 3399

Admission Fee: Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry. Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle: $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20 which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc. An annual Pass for Grand Teton National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Grand Teton National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. Check out their website for more information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
Hours: Open daily, 24 hours; Refer to the Grand Teton National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
Amenities: camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
Scenic View: Scenic drives throughout the park include the Teton Park Road, Jenny Lake Scenic Drive and Signal Mountain Summit Road.
Length of Visit: To maximize your visit to Grand Teton National Park one would need at least a couple of days to experience all that the park provides.
Tips for Your Visit: The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate. Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies. When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park. For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Signal Mountain is perfect for sunsets.

Chapel of the Transfiguration
Grand Teton National Park
Chapel of the Transfiguration Road
Moose, Wyoming 83001
Telephone: 307 733 2603

Admission Fee: Free
Hours: Besides the church services, the hours of operation are not posted. I arrived at 9AM during the weekday and it was unlocked.
Scenic View: Gorgeous view of the Grand Tetons from the large picture window
Length of Time to Spend Here: Less than an hour.
Tips for Your Visit: The Chapel of the Transfiguration is an active congregation and church services are offered on Sundays at 8AM and 10PM during the summer season. The church played a major role in the movie, Spencer’s Mountain, featuring Henry Fonda and Maureen O’Hara.

Mormon Row
Grand Teton National Park
Located outside of Moose Junction
Moose, Wyoming 83001

Lower Schwabacher Landing
Grand Teton National Park
Moose, Wyoming 83001

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Tram Address:
3265 West Village Drive
Teton Village, Wyoming 83025
Telephone: 307 733 2292

Admission Fee: Free; Additional charge for tram tickets ($35 for round trip access; $84 to ride all summer)
Hours: Open daily from 9 – 5; Refer to the website for winter/ski hours
Amenities: Tram/Lift tickets, Grand Adventure Pass, Bike Rentals, Paragliding, Kids Summer Camps, Daycare, Lodging, Spa, Vacation Rentals, Restaurant (at the base of the mountain and at the top). Great for hiking, biking and skiing!
Scenic View: Gorgeous view of the Grand Tetons and the surrounding area from the top of the lift
Length of Time to Spend Here: Varies depending on activities
Tips for Your Visit: Tram/Lift tickets are free after 5PM. Be prepared for the elevation as it may cause some shortness of breath. Some shops and restaurants at the top of the lift close at 5, but there are restaurants at the base of the resort as well. Piste was opened until 9PM during the summer.

Note: The information I have provided does not include the winter season as I visited during the summer. Visit the resort’s website for more information regarding ski packages, etc. https://www.jacksonhole.com/

Where to Stay:

Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa
3385 Cody Lane
Teton Village, WY 83025
Telephone: 307 201 6066

Where to Eat:

The Deck @ Piste
Rendezvous Mountain
Jackson Hole, Wyoming 83025
Telephone: 307 732 3177

I ordered the Southern Belle made from White Wine with Orange and Passion Fruit. In addition, I had a glass of Henry Estate Pinot Noir to accompany my House Meatballs and Fries.

For more information about Grand Teton National Park, visit the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm.

Cruise Ship Excursion in St. Lucia, The Catamaran Ride, Part 2

30 April 201821 September 2024

Dave and I had just explored the island of St. Lucia by coach and we were ready for the second half of our tour. Our cruise ship tour in St. Lucia included a stop at the Diamond Botanical Gardens in the town of Soufriere. Covering approximately 6 acres, the oldest gardens in St. Lucia includes the Diamond Falls Waterfall, Mineral Springs and Spa, the Nature Trail and Botanical Gardens as well as the Old Mill Restaurant. It is a popular tourist spot and has been open for visitors since 1983.

Red Prumalina

Pink Ginger

Red Ginger

Chenille Plant

Coconut Shell Retaining Wall

Bird of Paradise

Pink Torch Ginger

Lobster Claw

Diamond Waterfall

Sulphur Springs

Once we completed the Diamond Mineral Waterfall and Botanical Gardens, we boarded the catamaran for lunch, a stop for swimming and Caribbean dancing. The harbor of Soufriere is such a beautiful, tranquil location to start the ride.

A close up view of the harbor with the various boats, the tropical trees and mountains in the distance.

As all of us boarded the catamaran and took our seats, the view as we left the harbor was breathtaking. I had been waiting for this moment to see the two Pitons.

I am always fascinated by the structures that are built into the hills. It looks like another cozy harbortown in St. Lucia!

I could not seem to take my eyes off of the Pitons in the distance.

Out of nowhere a loud blast comes from the port side of the catamaran and we noticed a St. Lucian on his boat blowing out of a conch shell.

The catamaran started to slow down and we were taking a little swim break in the cove. We only had about 30 minutes before we would depart, but it was a refreshing opportunity for those that were interested and the scenery was paradise picture perfect.

I opted to stay aboard for a couple of rum drinks and hung out with this little cutie driving the boat.

Everyone was called back to the boat so that we could meet up with the cruise ship prior to departure. We were able to watch the tour guides and brave (or tipsy) ship passengers danced to the island music.

Coming back into the harbor of Castries, we saw the ship in the distance. I was sad to leave because it was such a great day to visit St. Lucia and I looked forward to the opportunity of coming back again soon.

When you cruise, do you take the shore excursions or go out on your own? I would love to hear your pros and cons for both if you would kindly leave your message in the comments section below. Many thanks for joining us on our catamaran excursion in St. Lucia and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Diamond Falls & Mineral Baths
Soufriere Estate
PO Box 1020
Soufriere, St. Lucia, West Indies
Telephone: 758 459 7155

Admission Fee: Adults: $17.50 EC (US $7); Children: half price; Private Baths: $17.50 EC (US $7); Public Baths $15 EC (US $6); +10% VAT tax.
Hours: Open Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 5PM. Open Sunday from 10AM to 3PM. Open public holidays from 10AM to 3:00PM.
Amenities: Diamond Falls waterfall, Mineral Baths & Spa, Botanical Gardens, Nature trail, Old Mill Restaurant.
Length of Visit: 2 – 3 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Bring a bathing suit and additional change of clothes to enjoy the waterfall. Pool shoes are also recommended.

Where to Stay:

Fond Doux Resort
PO Box 250
Soufriere, Saint Lucia
Telephone: 758 459 7545

On a return trip, I stayed at the Fond Doux Resort on the southern side of the island in Soufriere. Booking a 1 Bedroom Cottage with a pool, I enjoyed the fabulous amenities of the property and enjoyed a long weekend of rest and relaxation. The Fond Doux Heritage Tour offers a fascinating look into the art of chocolate making and the opportunity to learn about local vegetation.

Where to Eat:

Fond Doux Resort
PO Box 250
Soufriere, Saint Lucia
Telephone: 758 459 7545

The Bamboo Restaurant & Bar serves lunch, so I ordered the Creole Fish to sample some of the local flavor, served with rice and salad.

For dinner, I was excited to see Lamontagne’s Cous Kaye with octopus and conch, served at the Cocoa Pod Restaurant

What to Eat:

Boudin – black pudding
Bouyon – beef soup with dumplings but other meats can substitute for beef
Callaloo soup – made with seafood or cuts of meat, okra, potatoes and garlic
Cassava Bread
Cow Heel Soup – a hearty soup with cow foot, carrots, pumpkin, chayote squash and yellow yam with dumplings
Curried Meats
Fried Plantains
Green figs and saltfish
Grilled Fish
Lambi – conch meat seasoned with multiple spices and then fried
Lobster
Pemme – cornmeal, pumpkin, cinnamon, sugar and dry coconut leaves then wrapped in banana leaves
Pepperpot – Caribbean dish made from onion, garlic, cinnamon, brown sugar, thyme, cloves, orange peel, cassareep and meat
Smoked herring and breadfruit – breadfruit is cooked until tender

What to Read:

Omeros, by Derek Walcott
A Room on the Hill, by Garth St. Omer
Don’t Believe It, by Charlie Donlea

Photo Guide for St. Lucia:

The Pitons from the Water
The Pitons from the Tet Paul Nature Trail
Sulpher Springs
Toraille Waterfall
Paradise Beach
Honeymoon Beach
Quarry Hill