Torrey Pines State Park named after the rare Torrey Pine Tree, (which only grows in 2 places in the whole world: San Diego and Santa Rosa Island). In 1899 George Marston, a city father, convinced the other city fathers to create a public park and protect this 1200-acre coastal area located between coastal La Jolla and coastal Del Mar.
About 1910, Miss Ellen Browning Scripps bought and willed this area back to people of San Diego to ensure it would forever be protected and cared for. Miss Scripps later created the Torrey Pines Lodge
, originally a restaurant, today is a volunteer run Visitor’s Center.
During WWII, about 1940, the U.S. Army leased over 700 acres of Torrey Pines Mesa from the City of San Diego to be used for training purposes known as Camp Callan
; an anti-aircraft artillery training center. The military had to guarantee that no part of the park would be damaged. The camp closed in 1945. The buildings were torn down and used for lumber to build homes for veterans and the area later, about 100 acres of this area became today’s world famous Torrey Pines Public Golf Course. The home of the Buick Open the 2008 US Open and more.
There are 2 courses, the North Course & South Course on over 100 coastal acres, created by legendary course architect William F. Bell Sr. and Bell's son, William F., who would ensure his father's vision was realized (after his father’s death) by overseeing the completion of the North and South courses at Torrey Pines.
Off the 18th Hole at
Torrey Pines Public Golf Course is the beautiful craftsman style resort and spa: The Lodge at Torrey Pines is San Diego’s only 5 Diamond Hotel. Formerly the Inn at Torrey Pines, The Evans Family (owners of The Catamaran Hotel, The Bahia Hotel and more in San Diego), built a significant Charles & Henry Green architectural style masterpiece, reminiscent of the turn of the century CA craftsman homes of significance. There are 2 restaurants, swimming pool, a spa, 170 and suites and it’s the home of Tiger Woods when he plays in tournaments at Torrey Pines Golf Course.