Trees to 15m in native stands (to 23m in sheltered sites); mature crown of sheltered trees narrower than tree height, fairly open in natural sites. Seed cones mostly broadly ovoid, as broad as long or longer, mostly less than 13.5cm; umbos mostly shorter than 6mm, terminal portion curved outward. Seeds to 12mm wide, averaging less than 11mm, light to medium brown with dark mottling. 2 n =24.

Dry fogbelt zone on eroding, mostly dry slopes; of conservation concern; 0--125m; Calif.

Pinus torreyana subsp. torreyana occurs naturally only in a relict stand near Del Mar, California.