Backs Beach a hive of activity

Black's Beach is a two mile long, sandy strip situated at the base of majestic cliffs up to 300 feet high. It is formally known as Torrey Pines City Beach and Torrey Pines State Beach in that it is jointly owned by the City of San Diego and the State of California. There is a glider port atop the cliff overlooking the beach where hangliders, paragliders and remote controlled gliders can often be seen soaring.

Access to Black's Beach is very difficult due to the high cliffs and lack of improved stairways. The safest access is from adjacent beaches to the north and south, but this access may be obstructed by high tides or surf. The cliffs of Black's Beach are unstable and slides can occur without warning, so it is best to stay well away from them.

Black's Beach is known as a de facto clothing optional beach in La Jolla, California. It is perhaps the largest nude beach in the United States and is popular with many Southern Californian nudists and naturists. Part of Black's Beach is within the State Park, and part within the City of San Diego. Nudity is prohibited on the city portion of the beach, but is tolerated for about a mile north of the trail head leading to the gliderport -- the portion within the State Park.

Black's Beach is known to surfers as one of the most powerful beach breaks in Southern California. The waves gain the power due to the focusing effects of an underwater canyon just offshore. Because of the large surf and aggressive crowds, Black's is a dangerous surfing location.

Many San Diego hotels can be found dotted all over its famed beaches. So accommodation is rarely a problem for travelers. Many of the tourists who head to Blacks Beach are budget travelers or college kids off for a vacation on spring break. There are a number of hotels in San Diego that offer low cost accommodation and also some that offer budget apartment style living for group travelers.