Construction project to cause closures at Torrey Pines reserve through February

Long-anticipated work at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve will bring closures to the main park road, upper parking lots and most trails for months starting Monday, Nov. 3.

The multi-phase project will upgrade utilities, the restroom “comfort station” and accessibility, according to the Torrey Pines Conservancy, a nonprofit that works to “preserve and protect the ecological significance” of the reserve, which occupies about 1,500 acres at the north end of La Jolla. The work is expected to extend through February.

The project doesn’t mean everything will be unavailable during the construction. Torrey Pines State Beach, the south and north beach parking lots and the Torrey Pines Extension trails will remain open.

Full access is expected by March 1. Phase 2 is planned to start in August or September.

Kevin Murphy of California State Parks said the coming construction “will provide much-needed water, sewer, electrical and telecommunication line improvements” as well as upgrades such as new parking stalls and disabled-accessible pathways.

Other elements in the project description are repaved sidewalks and installation of benches and water fountains.

The California Coastal Commission approved the proposal July 10, when the timeline for the first phase was between August and February and the period for the second phase was August 2026 to February 2027.

Murphy told the La Jolla Light that those timelines are considered appropriate construction windows to help minimize disruptions.

“The project as a whole required completion of several steps, including the competitive bid process, contract award and issuance of the notice to proceed,” Murphy said. “Now that these steps have been completed, construction is scheduled to begin.”

A staff report said the construction period will “avoid overlapping with the breeding season of the California gnatcatcher, a special-status species found in the Torrey Pines reserve.”

Murphy said project updates will be available across multiple online platforms — parks.ca.gov/?page_id=657, @castateparkssd on Instagram and facebook.com/castateparksSD.

The project coincides with the Torrey Pines Conservancy’s 75th anniversary and is part of a string of upgrades that have taken place recently at the reserve.