Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve will close for the next several months as California State Parks begins the second phase of improvements at the popular San Diego hiking destination. Phase two officially begins September 22 and will close the reserve, except for Torrey Pines State Beach and the north and south beach parking lots. The reserve is expected to reopen in March of next year. The work includes installing additional utilities and a new restroom, improving Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking and paths of travel, and replacing the park road from the west parking lot to the park’s south boundary. The closure had been anticipated for some time, giving hikers a final opportunity to hit the trails before chain-link fences went up. “I’m here to go for a hike in the park before it closes,” University City resident Chris Hurlburt said. “It’s one of those really special, beautiful places.” Mira Mesa resident Rongbin Cai also got in one last walk before the reserve closed. “Little bit disappointed. It’s so nice,” Cai said. “Whenever I find the opportunity, this is a nice trail.” Hikes Montana Jul 30 Man impaled by hiking pole trekked 10 miles down a mountain to get help New Hampshire Jul 13 Injured on a hike, she had to be carried off a mountain. Her partner proposed mid-rescue Lawsuits Jun 23 Family of woman who died on fundraiser hike at Black Mountain files suit against organizer A new restroom is one of the improvements hikers looked forward to. “It would be nice to actually have flush toilets again,” Hurlburt said. “I have seen the porta potties. I have not been inside the porta potties. I’m not that brave.” “I noticed that it’s so old and not functioning well,” Cai said. Phase one was conducted between November 2025 and February 2026, closing the main park access road, upper parking lots, visitor center and main trails. The first phase repaired and modernized some utilities and made the area more accessible to people with disabilities. The south and north beach parking lots, Torrey Pines State Beach and Torrey Pines Extension trails remained open during that construction. “It’s a very nice location and anytime people make changes to fit their mold, sometimes the changes are nice and sometimes you’re like, ‘What were they thinking?’” Hurlburt said. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less