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Alyn Robert Brereton
Julie MacKinnon
Linda Pittman
Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
Randall Finley
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| Torrey Pines State Reserve/Los Penaquitos Marsh - Site # 206 | |||
| Background: | Rugged sandstone cliffs topped by the rare Torrey Pine are laced by trails that overlook one of the few remaining salt marshes in southern California. Trails meander among wind-tortured pines intermixed with ferns and cactus, a place to watch for brush rabbits, bobcats, western scrub-jays, and California quail. Hillside chaparral shelters California thrashers and loggerhead shrikes; great-horned owls and American kestrels hunt near the bluffs. Mule deer occasionally feed at the marsh, where pickleweed hides endangered Belding's savannah sparrows and light-footed clapper rails. Least terns, green herons, snowy egrets, and other waders feed in the lagoon, an important nursery for many fish. Summer's elegant and Forester's terns are replaced by winter brants, surf scoters, killdeer, and plovers. Offshore, watch for bottle-nosed dolphins, occasional California sea lions, and California gray whales. | ||
| Viewing Tips: | Moderate probability of seeing all birds, deer, and dolphins year-round. High probability of seeing shorebirds and waterfowl in winter, and songbirds in spring. Marine birds are seen in summer, whales in January and February. Good place for dolphins. Visitor Center. | ||
| How to Get There: | From San Diego, drive north on Interstate 5 to Camel Valley Road exit and turn west. For lagoon, drive 1 mile to McGonigle Road and turn left into North Torrey Pines State Beach entrance. Or to see Torrey Pines, continue west on Carmel Valley Road to Camino Del Mar and turn left. Drive about 1 mile along beach, then turn right uphill to Torrey Pines Reserve. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | California State Parks | ||
| Agency Site URL: | |||
| Physical Address: | , CA |
Agency 2: | , CA |
| Manager Phone: | |||
| Site Phone: | (619) 755-2063 OR (619) 452-8732 | ||
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| Addition Website: | |||