GhostFingers Get notified
GhostFingers · San Diego County · La Jolla

Torrey Pines

Open sand beachbreak below the Torrey Pines bluff between Del Mar and La Jolla. A long stretch of sand with bars that shift seasonally under the state reserve cliffs.

La Jolla Famous + beginner-friendly

Spot intel

Parking

State beach day-use lot off North Torrey Pines Road with a posted fee. Free roadside parking on the coast road fills early.

Crowd

Light to moderate and spread along a long beach.

Beginner-friendly?

Depends.

Open sand bottom, but the beach is long with limited lifeguard coverage outside the main tower and rip currents run on size.

Famous for

The state beach below the Torrey Pines reserve, the long open sand between Del Mar and the La Jolla bluffs.

Lineup etiquette

Beachbreak priority is per-wave from the peak, not by lineup position.

When it’s on

South through west swell with light offshore wind from the east. Mid tide window.

When beginners can paddle out

Small clean swell under about waist high, light wind, mid tide, and surfed near a staffed lifeguard tower.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
32.9200, -117.2600
Shore faces
W
Region
La Jolla, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Torrey Pines?
Torrey Pines works best on a SSW to WNW swell. It also picks up S to SW swell.
How big does Torrey Pines need to be?
Torrey Pines is best in the 2-6ft range on a 11-18s period.
What are the best conditions at Torrey Pines?
Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
Where is Torrey Pines?
Torrey Pines is a long open state beach in La Jolla, California. The beach faces W.
Does GhostFingers forecast Torrey Pines?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Torrey Pines with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching winter 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

Nearby spots