Black's Beach

Situated on the beautiful California coastline north of San Diego, Black’s Beach is north of La Jolla at Torrey Pines, just below the famous golf course of the same name. The name Black’s Beach comes from the horse farm in the area that was once owned by the Black family.

A little off-the-beaten-track, the beach is accessed down a steep sandy trail from the Gliderport Parking Area. It can be tricky if you’re carrying a lot of beach gear but there are very few facilities on the beach apart from restrooms and showers at the entrance to the State Park so you need to bring some essentials and water with you.

There is a second access to the south from Blackgold and La Jolla Farms Road which descends to South Black Sands Beach. Visitors can also walk 3 miles along from La Jolla Shores Beach or 2 miles along the shore from Torrey Pines State Reserve. However, at high tide. Black’s Beach is cut off.

Part of Torrey Pines City Beach, the north end of Black’s Beach is clothing optional and the area is clearly signposted. Nudism is unlawful in San Diego, but the practice goes largely unnoticed by local law enforcement. The north boundary is Mussel Rocks where large rocks run down into the sea.

Parking is free and dogs are not permitted on the beach between 9am and 6pm. Typical activities beyond sunbathing and swimming extend to surfing, fishing, shelling and beach walks. It is also popular for paragliding and hang-gliding (there’s a launch nearby). In winter, Black’s Beach has some of San Diego’s (if not California’s) best waves for surfing, but with no lifeguards you swim and surf at your own risk.