Trip Planner:   USA  /  California  /  San Diego  /  Black's Beach

Black's Beach, San Diego

4.5
#10 of 14 in Beaches in San Diego
Beach · Nature / Park
Create an itinerary including Black's Beach
Black's Beach is a secluded section of beach beneath the bluffs of Torrey Pines on the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, San Diego, California, United States. It is officially part of Torrey Pines State Beach. The northern portion of Black's Beach is owned and managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, while the southern portion of the beach, officially known as Torrey Pines City Beach, is jointly owned by the city of San Diego and the state park, but is managed by the city of San Diego. This distinction is important as Black's Beach is most known as a nude beach, a practice that is now prohibited in the southern portion managed by the city of San Diego.
Black's Beach was named for the Black family who had a horse ranch overlooking the beach. They sold the land, and then it was subdivided into La Jolla Farms lots. The Farms' residents retained the Black family's private road to the beach. Many mansions can be seen in the southern portion of the beach, including the Salk Mansion. There is a funicular that goes all the way down from a mansion on the cliff to the beach into a structure known by locals as the mushroom house.

A submarine canyon funnels swells into Black's Beach, making it appealing to surfers but dangerous for inexperienced swimmers.

Usually, lifeguards are at the beach until 6:00 p.m., year round.

Due to budget cuts, lifeguard patrols were limited but have increased because of funding by UC San Diego. Stingrays can be found along the coastline when the water gets above 50 degrees.
Using our world travel planner, San Diego attractions like Black's Beach can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.
Source
Create a full itinerary - for free!

Black's Beach reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
357 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • Good beach but mainly men nude. About 20 percent females nude, but many females in swimsuits. About 10 percent of the men seem to walk around erect looking for attention. I've not seem so many... 
    Good beach but mainly men nude. About 20 percent females nude, but many females in swimsuits. About 10 percent of the men seem to walk around erect looking for attention. I've not seem so many...  more »
  • grate place to bewith people of my type. Would go in heart beat again and for a swell time to boot . Go 
    grate place to bewith people of my type. Would go in heart beat again and for a swell time to boot . Go  more »
Google
  • The hike down is exhausting, and the hike back up is even more exhausting, but this beach is worth it. It really is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen in my life. I stayed for the sunset and I wasn’t disappointed. If it weren’t for the hike that you need to do to get to the bottom, I’d be there every single weekend.
  • Good for hikes and a perfect place to watch sunset. Hikes can be exhausting but it's a nice experience and definitely not a kid friendly beach ;)

Plan your trip to San Diego

  • Get a personalized trip
    A full day by day itinerary based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place. Everyone on the same page.