Black's Beach
Below the Torrey Pines cliffs, La Jolla · United States
A two-mile wild beach under the cliffs of La Jolla, clothing-optional on the state-park stretch, with a gay area the regulars will point you to. San Diego's best swim.
Updated
- Status
- Official clothing-optional beach
- Crowd
- Gay-popular
- Country
- United States
- City
- San Diego
- Water
- Sea
- Best time
- May to October
- Confidence
- High
Find it
32.8880° N, 117.2535° WGood to know
The city section to the south is not clothing-optional. Stay north of the boundary.
The gay end
Clothing-optional use is legal only on the northern, state-park section. The gay area is about a mile north of the glider port trail.
Crowd A clothing-optional beach for everyone with a gay end everyone knows about. Walk in the direction the guide says and you will find the boys.
Getting there
Park at the Torrey Pines Gliderport and take the steep trail down, or walk north from La Jolla Shores at low tide. Two miles of sand, no facilities.
The rules
Official clothing-optional beach. Designated by law or by the council. Swimwear is optional on the marked stretch, and nobody will ask you to cover up.
No photos of anyone, sunscreen everywhere, cover up the moment you leave the clothing-optional stretch, and head home with the light. Sunbathe, swim and keep the beach respectful for everyone.
Questions people ask
Beach questions
Where exactly is Black's Beach?
Below the Torrey Pines cliffs, La Jolla, United States. The map pin is 32.8880° N, 117.2535° W.
What is Black's Beach like?
A two-mile wild beach under the cliffs of La Jolla, clothing-optional on the state-park stretch, with a gay area the regulars will point you to. San Diego's best swim.
Which section of Black's Beach is on the atlas?
Clothing-optional use is legal only on the northern, state-park section. The gay area is about a mile north of the glider port trail.
How do I get to Black's Beach?
Park at the Torrey Pines Gliderport and take the steep trail down, or walk north from La Jolla Shores at low tide. Two miles of sand, no facilities.
What access or enforcement note applies to Black's Beach?
The city section to the south is not clothing-optional. Stay north of the boundary.
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Method
Status says what the law and the locals allow; crowd says who is on the sand. Both come from gay-travel guides, the national naturist federations and members who were just there, scored on sources, recency, crowd, legal footing and safety. How we rank. Pins mark the beach; the gay end is described above. Last reviewed September 2026.