Black’s Beach

“Torrey Pines City Beach, better known as Black’s, is a secluded beach at the base of 300 foot sea cliffs.  Its regulars prefer it that way, habited primarily by nudists and surfers.  Although public nudism in unlawful in San Diego, this decades old tradition remains at this location, north of the Gliderport Trail.  Great winter swells draw the surfers to this remote beach, despite its difficult terrain.  Remember to use caution if you head to the beach from the Gliderport.  Some of those ‘trails’ are for the birds!  (You think I’m kidding?)”  Sandbag C. Gull

Click on a picture to make it bigger ↓↓↓

Black Canyon Road in La Jolla Farms

 

Black’s Beach & Gliderport

 

Logistics

• Lifeguard services → if any ← varies by season, day, hours, even weather! Due to the remoteness of this beach, lifeguard assistance may take twenty minutes or more to arrive when lifeguards are not on duty at the beach. There is an emergency call box at the south end of the beach at the bottom of the road
• There are no restrooms. Portable restrooms can be found at the top of the cliffs next to the Gliderport. Restrooms can also be found at La Jolla Shores to the south, and at Torrey Pines State Beach to the north
• Dogs are permitted on beaches and in adjacent parks only from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m. and must be leashed at all times
• Located near the UCSD campus, Torrey Pines City Beach is accessible via a long and treacherous path descending from the Torrey Pines Gliderport at the end of Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, where there is a large parking area.  It can also be reached by hiking in some distance from neighboring beaches, either north from the Shores or south from Torrey Pines
• There is a road (’Black Canyon’ or ‘Salk Canyon’ Road) that is property of UCSD located within the neighborhood of La Jolla Farms (located at the intersection of La Jolla Farms Road and Blackgold Road).  Pedestrian access is permitted, and the beach can be accessed via a long and winding paved road
• Black’s Beach, where nudity has traditionally been tolerated, begins at the north about 2 miles south of the Torrey Pines State Beach (marked by a large rusty buoy on the beach).  At it’s south end, the boundary is simply marked on a small marker (’Boundary’) , located about 20 yards south of a large flat-topped boulder (about the size of a small car).  Enforcement varies widely, and all risk of fines fall to the adventuring naturalist (that might be you).
• The bluffs here are extremely unstable.  It is never advisable to find your own trail down the bluffs, and on the beach one should always be mindful of the bluffs above, as they can (and do) give way at any time

Directions

Take Interstate 5 to Gennessee Avenue, exit west.  Turn left onto N. Torrey Pines Road, then right on Torrey Pines Scenic Drive.  At the end of the paved road, there is a parking area for the Gliderport.  Enjoy!