High Point and Parry Grove Trail

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
Duration: 1 hour or less

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Overview: The Parry Grove trail is a short 0.5 mile loop that starts on the side of the Torrey Pines Park Road, across from the stairs leading to High Point. Starting from the trailhead, walk through the Whitaker Garden area, where you will find the names of many plants in the area. The loop part of the trail is a steep descent down to the grove with a bench that with nice views over the shrubs and ocean.

Tips: Wear sturdy shoes, be prepared for a rougher terrain during ascent and descent(don't go on a rainy muddy day).

Though short, the area is not well shaded; wear sunscreen and hat during sunny days.

Combine this trail with a walk up the steps to High Point across the road. The High point has bench and pine tree shades so one can take a rest.

Points of Interest

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Visitor Center (Torrey Pines Lodge)

You can park your car there and take a walk through the visitor center for more background info on the park. There's a path in the back of this building that leads downhill toward the Parry Grove trail and High Point area.

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High Point

Here you will find a nice bench shaded by the pine trees above with an overlook over the beach.

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Trailhead for Parry Grove Trail

On the other side of the road you will find the trailhead. Start your hike here.

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Whitaker Garden

The native plant garden was named after the Torrey Pines Association's president (1963-1985) Thomas W. Whitaker -- who was instrumental to the preservation of an extra 168 acres of native habitat in the Torrey Pines Extension.

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Parry Grove area

This grove area is known for the wildflowers during the wetter seasons. It has the oldest grove of Torrey Pines in the area, some over 200 years old.

Charles Christopher Parry was a botanist sent to survey this area after the 1848 Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty with Mexico, and the Parry Grove is named after him.

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Ocean view overlook with bench seat

This is the lowest point of the trail with an overlook view of the ocean, a great place to rest up before heading back uphill.

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Steep section

Steep section of the trail with uneven terrain, and a bench seat midway of this section overlooking the Canyon of the Swifts.

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Yucca whipplei

Native to southern california, it's also known as "Our Lord's Candle". Parts of this plant are used for by native americans -- fibers for clothing/sandals, fruit and seed as food and root as soap/shampoo.