Parking
There is no vehicle parking on Santa Rosa Island. Arrive by reserved boat, typically from Ventura, and begin at the Bechers Bay pier.
Overview
About Torrey Pines Grove Loop
This strenuous loop visits the rare Torrey pine grove on Santa Rosa Island, with broad views across Bechers Bay and the Pacific. The route starts at the Bechers Bay pier, follows the island roads inland and south toward the grove, climbs through the Torrey Pines Trail, and returns along the Coastal Road corridor.
Why go
- Rare Torrey pine grove with sweeping Bechers Bay views
- Distinctive island wildlife and a remote coastal setting
Heads up
- Requires a reserved boat trip and careful timing around the ferry schedule
- Long, exposed route with steep footing and no dependable potable water or island services
Yes—this is a distinctive island hike for visitors who can commit to the boat logistics and a long, exposed day. The rare grove, ocean outlooks, and remote setting make the loop memorable.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs It Worth It?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Channel Islands map
Full mapElevation56–627 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
3 active Channel Islands alerts
- ClosureSanta Rosa Island wildfire-recovery closuresMentions Santa Rosa Island, referenced in this guideAvoid closed routes and shorelines on Santa Rosa Island during recovery from the 2026 wildfire.Official details
- ClosureSanta Rosa access closures at Sandy Point and China CampMentions Santa Rosa, referenced in this guideFollow the closures and on-trail-only restrictions at Sandy Point and between China Camp and Cluster Point to protect island wildlife and sensitive resources.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Channel Islands Tour Guide
Your drive to Torrey Pines Grove Loop, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Channel Islands National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Channel Islands audio tourRecorded for this area
Trail Options from the Bechers Bay PierListen
“From the pier at Bechers Bay, you have a couple of great hiking choices. For an easy walk, a gentle, mostly flat trail follows the bluffs, offering big views of the bay—a nice warm-up.”
Plays on the road 0.1 mi from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Channel Islands Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- A Glimpse into the Vail and Vickers Ranch
- Water Canyon Beach: A Remote Stretch of Sand
- Santa Rosa Island's Water Canyon Campground
- Torrey Pines Overlook: Viewing the Rare Grove
- 47 audio storiesacross Channel Islands’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Island Fox, Humpback Whale, Blue Whale, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 31 trails, 49 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Torrey Pines Grove Loop
Distance and DifficultyThe National Park Service lists the loop as 7.5 miles round trip from the pier.
The National Park Service lists the loop as 7.5 miles round trip from the pier. The complete mapped walk is about 7.2 miles and is stored as a closed loop, including the approach from the pier and the return to it. Expect a strenuous outing with steep, sandy, uneven sections and roughly a 650-foot climb through the grove; allow about 4.5 hours for the full route, including stops and wayfinding.
Scenery and WildlifeTorrey pines grow naturally in only two places, and the Santa Rosa Island grove is the…
Torrey pines grow naturally in only two places, and the Santa Rosa Island grove is the centerpiece of this walk. The route crosses open grassland and coastal terrain before reaching wind-shaped pines and elevated views of Bechers Bay. Island foxes and seabirds may be seen, while dolphins, whales, and sea lions are possible sightings from the boat.
Logistics and TipsAccess is by boat, typically a roughly three-hour trip from Ventura to the Bechers Bay pier;…
Access is by boat, typically a roughly three-hour trip from Ventura to the Bechers Bay pier; reserve passage in advance and plan around the boat schedule. There are no island services and no dependable potable water, so carry all food, water, navigation supplies, and sun protection. Stay on the designated route, wear sturdy footwear, and download maps before leaving the mainland. Pets are not allowed on the route.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Channel Islands
2,232 sightingsIsland FoxMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
282 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
79 sightingsBlue WhaleMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
101 sightingsGrey WhaleMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
364 sightingsCalifornia Sea LionMost seen around noonSighting map
105 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 5 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Channel Islands. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
