One of my favorite beaches in San Diego is Torrey Pines State Beach - it quite literally takes my breath away every time I set eyes on it. There are no gazillion dollar beachfront homes, concession stands, restaurants or shops - just pure raw California beach in all its glory.
When we are tired of playing on the beach (we are really that spoiled), we go explore Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and hike the trails. By 'hike', I mean stroll along leisurely (yet sporadically!) at a 2 year old's pace.
Although I will go to all lengths to avoid paying for parking anywhere, I would definitely pay the $15 daily parking fee in order to park at the top of the cliffs near the Visitor's Center. Included in this fee is the ability to drive past and wave at all of the hot and miserable looking people making the trek to the top of the cliffs where they will then be too tired to continue their hike through the many glorious trails! Or at least that was us, before we finally realized we could drive to the top.
Although we didn't see any rattlesnakes, I'm pretty sure I heard one. Or it was a cricket. Clearly, I would not survive in the wild.
Parking at the top of the cliffs, means you can save your legs for the hike down to the beach (and back up!)!