Ongoing construction at Torrey Pines reserve aims to improve utilities and access

The first phase of what is being called “essential,” albeit “disruptive,” work within the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is continuing with the goal to repair and modernize some utilities and make the area more accessible to people with disabilities.

The three-phase project, continuing through 2027, will repair and upgrade facilities that are up to six decades old or have been closed for years due to system failures while bringing the roughly 1,500-acre reserve at the north end of La Jolla in line with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

In an e-blast to supporters, the Torrey Pines Conservancy, which has a mission to help protect and preserve the area — known for its namesake rare pine trees — called the project “essential work that will strengthen the reserve infrastructure for decades to come. It’s disruptive but necessary and ensures the reserve reopens safer and more resilient.”

The project aims to replace the aging sewer system, water service and electrical lines; increase public pedestrian access to the visitor center, west parking lot and trailhead; build new ADA-compliant restrooms at the west parking lot; and abandon utilities that are in culturally and biologically sensitive areas, according to California State Parks.

Phase 1, which began Nov. 3, is intended to improve main utility lines and is expected to be completed by March 1. The work includes trenching for new utilities in roadways; demolishing a restroom building at the west parking lot that has been closed for eight years because of a failed septic system; and replacing the current patchwork of concrete roads with in-kind concrete reflective of the historical road surface.

To accommodate Phase 1, the reserve has limited public access through February. The main park road, upper parking lots, visitor center and all main trails are closed to vehicles and pedestrians. However, the south and north beach parking lots, Torrey Pines State Beach and Torrey Pines Extension trails remain open.

Phase 2 is set to begin late next summer or early fall and laterally connect the utilities, install a pump station for wastewater and build new restrooms.

Phase 3 is slated to begin late next summer for completion in winter 2027 and is to include upgrades to pedestrian circulation among the visitor center, west parking lot restrooms and trailhead by adding ramps and disabled-accessible slopes and surfaces. Additional planned improvements to the visitor center and west parking lot include disabled-accessible parking stalls, benches and drinking fountains.

The changes are part of continuing plans to update the reserve.

In mid-2025, structural renovations were completed on the more than century-old Torrey Pines Lodge, which serves as the visitor center and ranger station at 12500 N. Torrey Pines Road.

La Jolla philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps financed construction of Torrey Pines Lodge (not to be confused with The Lodge at Torrey Pines hotel) and it was completed in February 1923. The architects were Herbert Lewis Jackson and Richard Requa, who in addition to his work for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition at San Diego’s Balboa Park was a leader in bringing Spanish Revival-style architecture to La Jolla.

Another ongoing project, which has been in development for more than 10 years, is a transportation study to determine the feasibility of removing cars from the reserve and using a shuttle to take guests to and from offsite parking. Partial funding has been secured and the Torrey Pines Conservancy board has seen preliminary plans. No timeline for that work was immediately available.