Contributor Review – Amanda Mansoorbakht
Local Expert. Visited 2023
You’ve braved the hike down to Black’s Beach. What can you expect, next?
San Diego’s laidback vibes and warm weather make Black’s Beach one of the best beaches in the US. On a hot sunny weekend the northern end of the beach is normally packed with hundreds of people enjoying the warm weather. Weekdays are the go if you want a bit more breathing room.
Clothes are optional at Black’s, and you’ll see a blend of friendly nude and suited beach-goers. Black’s is partially named from the colour of the sand which can get really hot. The sand is soft and just falls off as you dry. Because Black’s is near one of the most popular surfer beaches in SoCal (Scripps Beach) expect to see surfers zipping up their wet suits in the morning fog. UC San Diego (UCSD) is also walking distance away— Black’s will be full of enthusiastic college students on any given day.
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Nudity is usually reserved for the 30+ year old crowd but every now and then the college students will go completely nude. Many UCSD sports teams, like the Cross Country teams, are known to do initiation rituals on Black’s — including a nude jog down to the water. The hilly trek down to the coast also invites many bikers, sprinters, or fitness enthusiasts looking to get a brutal workout. Beware of Southern California’s unofficial slogan that ‘May is gray and June is glum’ – there are exceptions to the rule but sometimes the spring or even winter days can be warmer than these months.
The night is when Black’s comes alive. Expect naked bonfires in early September— where hundreds of students and in-the-know locals gather for a festival of nude dancing under the stars, a sensuous ode to the body led by thumping drums.
The water is fresh and clear. The weather is great too and can be a comfortable mid 70s in December. Every four years, Black’s Beach experiences bioluminescence— firefly-like organisms that illuminate the dark sea during night. If you’re lucky enough to be at Black’s during this time, jump into the sea to watch your nude body illuminate with an otherworldly hue of neon blue.
If you’re looking for some fun in the sun, Black’s Beach in La Jolla is the quintessential California nude beach destination
1 Review on “Black's Beach”
It was my first nude beach and I had a blast. Be warned: it is a tough hike up and down the cliff to get to the beach and there are no public restrooms on the beach itself as the porta potty’s are at the top of the cliff.