Stunning scenery, wildflowers, miles of trails and cool ocean breezes: no wonder hikers gravitate to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. But Torrey Pines is a terrible place to take your dog. Dogs and other pets, horses and other domestic animals are all banned from the Reserve, including the beaches, parking lots and northern Extension section. While human visitors mostly enjoy the scenery, Torrey Pines exists primarily to protect a number of rare and endangered species of plants and animals. Surrounded by housing developments, freeways and businesses, the reserve remains one of the few coastal areas devoted strictly to nature. As a result, human activities are restricted to daylight hours, there’s no food allowed beyond the beach, and no animals except working service dogs (properly identified, and preferably well-brushed). Park Rangers will write tickets for bringing a domestic animal into a protected State Natural Reserve. The fine is several hundred dollars plus court costs! We hope you will visit the Reserve — without your pet. For more information go to: ww.torreypine.org