Torrey Pines Scenic Dr. (Glider port), San Diego, CA, 92037
Weather: 7
Weather in San Diego is on and off rainy for November to April, but you can still get a nice beach day in the winter. Sometimes in the 80's! May is gray and June is glum. We honestly get better days earlier in the year than these 2 months. The summer doesn't really start until July and is hot and dry till October. In August and September, we often have wild fires in the county because the winds will change and blow West bringing HOT dry air from the dessert. So, we gave Black's a 7 as it is really good, but only if you know the routine.
Legal/Acceptance: 9
Black's is well known for it's clothing optional status. People fly to SD from all over to visit it. Nudity is not technically legal, but tolerated by the rangers and lifeguards. Some are nicer than others, but no one gets tickets unless they are acting lewd (which is a different issue). The reason we are so dedicated to posting the laws and etiquette is because another clothing optional beach 30 min North of here had its nude option taken away because people were not behaving appropriately. It could happen to us. Please review the cartoons in the ABOUT section and remind others about them or help hand out fliers. We are all responsible.
Trail/Access: 5
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The access to the beach can be from several ways. The most popular, fastest and most direct is by the main trail next to the glider port (para gliders). Just South of the glider port building, is a crude trail that is maintained by fellow beach lovers. It's about a 10-15min hike down for most people. With gorgeous views of La Jolla and the cliffs. Once at the bottom, please go right as the clothing optional boundary is not far from the left. If you wish to sit near like minded people (see our values in the tabs), then go past the grey land slide and look to see if we are there with our signs and flag. We are not the volleyball group. There is another trail to the North, but it can be dangerous.
Privacy: 5
Even though this beach is almost 3 miles long for the clothing optional part, it gets a low score, because of the inappropriate actions of some people (see nude etiquette below).
The beach could be almost empty or very empty near you, and (particularly if you are female) someone will set up 10-20 feet from you!!!
We encourage everyone to hike down with at least 2 umbrellas or some wind blocks to strategically place in their view if someone makes you feel uncomfortable. Usually it makes them move on pretty quickly.
The beach could be almost empty or very empty near you, and (particularly if you are female) someone will set up 10-20 feet from you!!!
We encourage everyone to hike down with at least 2 umbrellas or some wind blocks to strategically place in their view if someone makes you feel uncomfortable. Usually it makes them move on pretty quickly.
Nude Etiquette: 2
Unfortunately, we have been frequenting this beach, some of us, over 20 years, and the nude etiquette (particularly from men) is terrible at times. Don't tolerate bad behavior! Block views, give looks, ask politely or hand out fliers. These guys are why we feel the need to educate everyone so we can have fun in the sun and keep our clothing optional freedom!
"Creeps or Pervs" are the guys that stare or position themselves to to another person to get a good view. They also may touch themselves inappropriately. They can give a vibe even if they are doing nothing observably pervy.
"Creeps or Pervs" are the guys that stare or position themselves to to another person to get a good view. They also may touch themselves inappropriately. They can give a vibe even if they are doing nothing observably pervy.
Sand Comfort: 9
Black's is partially named from the color of the sand. Some spots are really hot in the day's sun, so be careful. The sand is soft and just falls off as you dry.
Water Temp: 4
Although you will see people swimming year round and definitely surfing, we don't think the water is very good until July. It stays around 68-75 until October, then it drops again. (only gets to 75 once every 5-8 years)
Shade Option: 1
There is one tree on the whole beach and the sun sets in the West, so bring an umbrella. Even if you want to get sun, bring one anyways for shade on your face, for your food, or to use for privacy. They also have these light but large, half-tent, shade blocks (at Costco and other sports stores) that really work well and go up easily. They are just as light as an umbrella! There are times when you will get a whole section of the beach to yourself, but if you are female, or with one, the chances are low.
Family Friendly Waves: 7
The reason the score is so low is because we have some terrible rip currents sometimes at this beach and there are a lot of sting rays. Please be very careful around 4-6pm in the summer/fall months by shuffling your feet. This deters the sting rays and makes it so you avoid stepping on them and getting stung. The water is inviting, we know, but don't go running into it for this reason!!!
In general the waves break pretty far out and its a general slope to get deep, so it can be very nice for kids to play in or build sand castles by the waves. Please check in with the tides as in SoCal the difference between high and low tide is great! In the morning there could be very little depth of beach and in the afternoon its quite a walk just to reach the water (or vice versa). Some years we lose a lot of sand and the waves come very close to the cliffs.
In general the waves break pretty far out and its a general slope to get deep, so it can be very nice for kids to play in or build sand castles by the waves. Please check in with the tides as in SoCal the difference between high and low tide is great! In the morning there could be very little depth of beach and in the afternoon its quite a walk just to reach the water (or vice versa). Some years we lose a lot of sand and the waves come very close to the cliffs.
Amenities: 6
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This beach has a large dirt parking lot up at the top of the cliff. It has port-o-potties, trash and at the glider port you can even order lunch when they are open. The score is a 6 because it's a long hike down and seemingly longer hike up, taking around 7 min if you are fit and up to 30 for some folks who stop along the way to enjoy the view.
Please pack it in, pack it out. There is nothing on the beach but sand. |
Extra Reviews:
Snorkling: 3
When the water is warm enough to want to put your face in it to snorkel, there isn't a whole lot to see unless you swim all the way out to the reef which is a 20min swim. The ocean floor here is all sand, so you will usually only see things from that habitat. You might see rays, hermit crabs, sand dollars, or many different types of fish.
WildLife Safty: 6
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There are seals and dolphins and ospreys!
But there are also things to be aware of:
Sting rays, Rattle snakes, and jelly fish sometimes!
** Sting rays love to come in around 4-7:00 to feed in the surf, so don't go running into the water. Please shuffle your feet! We have a lot of lifeguard calls for stings! Sometimes the barb even goes all the way through the foot or ankle causing quite an injury. They are more prevalent anytime of the day once the water gets above 70.
***Sharks breed off the coast of La Jolla, but we don't see many near us. But please just be aware that they are always a possibility.
But there are also things to be aware of:
Sting rays, Rattle snakes, and jelly fish sometimes!
** Sting rays love to come in around 4-7:00 to feed in the surf, so don't go running into the water. Please shuffle your feet! We have a lot of lifeguard calls for stings! Sometimes the barb even goes all the way through the foot or ankle causing quite an injury. They are more prevalent anytime of the day once the water gets above 70.
***Sharks breed off the coast of La Jolla, but we don't see many near us. But please just be aware that they are always a possibility.
Sunset Location: 10
Black's Beach faces due West so the sunsets are magnificent year round! You'll find the parking lot gets a little busy around sunset, because a lot of people love to sit on the cliffs and watch it go down.
The cliffs can be very dangerous!
Please use the designated trail by the glider port. You may see other people use different trails, but for those that don't frequent this beach or it's your first time, please use the main trail! Sometimes from up top, it can look like you can get to the bottom in a natural path, but please trust us when we say, you can't.
- Sometimes para-gliders hit the rocks and get caught on the cliff.
- Sometimes rocks just fall and can hit your head (someone was actually killed this way).
- Sometimes para-gliders land on the beach and can run into you, so pay attention if the whistling getts loud and frequent! One of them hit our friend while we were all napping!
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Full Moon Trash-the-beach:
Sometimes in the summer, people like to come to the beach on the full moon and have illegal fires, drugs, and drinking which has led to not only trashing the beach, but stabbings and shootings. It was started by a benevolent and peaceful drumming group, which has since moved on, and now it consists of gangs and college students. The police have made a presence to mitigate the shenanigans, but use your best judgment when going to this beach at night ~especially during the full moon!
***We have no trash pick up! It's the local people who love this beach that keep it clean!
***We have no trash pick up! It's the local people who love this beach that keep it clean!
