Tucked between La Jolla and Del Mar, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is home to 2,000 acres of sandy beach and coastal bluffs. One of the largest stretches of untouched land along the Southern California coast, the San Diego based reserve and surrounding area is a popular spot for sunbathers, surfers, bird-watchers, and hikers. More luxury-minded pastimes include hitting the links at the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course or spending a weekend at the stately Lodge at Torrey Pines.

Torrey Pines earns its name from North America’s rarest tree. Explore groves of the Torrey pine to see the tree’s windswept arms stretching toward the ocean atop sandstone bluffs. Visit the reserve’s southern side to watch daredevils float over the ocean at Torrey Pines Gliderport or get in on the action with a tandem paragliding or hang-gliding ride. Make your way from the Gliderport down Black’s Beach Trail, where rugged stairs down to the secluded (and unofficially clothing-optional) beach make for moderately challenging terrain. For a more traditional beach day, access Torrey Pines State Beach from the north. No hike is necessary, and the swimmers, surfers, and sandcastle builders will all be fully clothed. Golf enthusiasts should make a reservation at the bucket list worthy Torrey Pines Golf Course. It provides two options: the North course and the South course. Both feature sweeping ocean views, and plays host to the annual Farmers Insurance Open where greats such as Tiger Woods and San Diego native Phil Mickelson have won big.

If you’re up for a hike, there’s an option for every level. More than eight miles of trails wind through Torrey Pines Natural Reserve. For ocean vistas, gentle terrain, and plenty of pine groves, the 0.7-mile Guy Fleming Loop can’t be beat. For a longer trek (2.5 miles), try the Broken Hill Trail, which takes trekkers through carved sandstone cliffs, sagebrush, and wildflowers. In the winter, look for gray whales making their annual migration. Traverse the bluffs all the way down the sand on the Beach Trail (1.1 miles one way). Try to plan this walk right before sunset to travel alongside the sun.

Perched on the 18th green of the Torrey Pines Golf Course sits the luxurious Lodge at Torrey Pines. The 6.5-acre grounds include two restaurants (the casual Grill at Torrey Pines and the upscale A.R. Valentien), a full-service spa and fitness center, and a glamorous pool complete with underwater speakers.