Tom Adams had lived nearby for three years but never explored Torrey Pines State Reserve's trails, trees and striking ocean views. So he thought Christmas morning might be a fine time to start.
Yesterday, he joined more than a dozen other people who showed up for a guided nature walk and whale-watching tour led by a volunteer docent.
"Beautiful!" Adams exclaimed. He said there was "no better way" to pass the morning.
The group did not spot any whales, which are making a southward migration off the coast. Nevertheless, other parts of nature were on display in abundance.
Ed Burckhardt of Tulare and his wife came to San Diego to visit their son, a computer programmer, and found time for the tour.
The three spotted 12 species of birds, which they listed in pencil in a small notebook. They also passed the local Torrey pine trees, California poppies, black sage and ground squirrels.
"It's terrific," Burckhardt said. "This is a jewel."
Docents offer guided nature walks – one at 10 a.m., another at 2 p.m. – on weekends and holidays.
Rick Vogel, a retired tax attorney, said he did not mind volunteering to lead the 10 a.m. group on Christmas because he is Jewish. Vogel has been a docent for about three years, ever since he gave up Saturday morning golf to train for the position, he said.
The outing is really a general nature walk. Seeing whales is an alluring possibility for many visitors, but sightings are "catch as catch can," Vogel said. Hikers keep an eye out for whales in December, January and February.
Last year, nobody showed up for the Christmas hike, Vogel said. Yesterday, nearly 30 people went on the two tours.
Aside from the nature walks, hikers and bicyclers used the reserve's snaking, paved roadway and dirt paths for recreation yesterday.
Bikers, some riding tandem, pedaled through the steep hills. Families, individuals and small groups plied the dusty trails that yield sweeping ocean views.
German, French and Spanish were among the languages heard along the way. Two people visiting from England joined the morning tour.
Bob Irwin of Carlsbad, a retired financial planner, came for the afternoon nature hike because he was a single man for the day.
"My wife is back east, and my son – who's a cop – is working and my other son is off with family. So I'm a sad, lonely guy," a mirthful Irwin said.
Paul Ferguson from Evansville, Ind., came with his wife, son and mother-in-law. The family was on vacation in the San Diego area and the Fergusons said they had learned about the reserve on the Internet.
Mayo Stiegler, who has been leading nature hikes for 14 years, guided the afternoon group.
Some days, he said, only one person takes the tour.
In fact, that is the case "many times," Stiegler said. And that means the sole person has what is essentially a private tour of the park.
Stiegler said he doesn't mind if it's a very small group. "That's what we're here for," he said.
David Graham: (619) 542-4575; david.graham@uniontrib.com
