A Queer Woman’s Guide to Black’s Beach – San Diego’s Nude Beach

Sun’s Out, Buns Out (Maybe?)

Let’s be real, San Diego. We live in paradise, and part of that paradise includes one of the country’s most famous (and infamous) nude beaches: Black’s Beach located right beneath the Torrey Pines cliffs in La Jolla.

For many of us in the Bi+ community, the idea of a nude beach is simultaneously liberating and terrifying. We spend so much time navigating visibility, labels, and societal expectations that the idea of just existing—no clothes, no labels, just vibes—sounds incredible. It’s the ultimate exercise in bodily autonomy.

But it also brings up unique anxieties. As bi+ women, we are acutely aware of the “gaze”—both navigating how we are perceived by men, and how we exist in spaces with other women.

If you’ve been toying with the idea of dropping the bikini top (or the bottoms too) at Black’s, but anxiety is holding you back, this guide is for you. Here are 5 things to know before you bare it all.

1. The Hike is the Great Equalizer (And it Requires Real Shoes)

Before you even think about nudity, you have to think about gravity. Black’s Beach is notoriously difficult to access, which is exactly what keeps it relatively secluded – a positive for nude beaches.

The most common access point is the Ho Chi Minh trail near the Gliderport or the paved service road further south. Both are steep. The service road is easier on the knees going down, but a brutal cardio workout coming back up. The goat trails are slippery and dangerous if you aren’t careful.

The Bi+ Guide Tip: Do not wear flip-flops. Seriously. Wear real trainers or hiking sandals for the trek. You can change into cute slides at the bottom. Think of the hike as a filter—it weeds out the casual looky-loos, leaving mostly dedicated beachgoers.

2. Know Your Zones: The “Textile” Line

Just because it’s called a “nude beach” doesn’t mean everyone is naked the second their feet hit the sand.

When you arrive at the bottom of the main trails, you will mostly see surfers in wetsuits and UCSD students in board shorts. This southern end is generally considered a “textile” (clothed) area.

To find the clothing-optional section, you need to walk North (towards Torrey Pines State Park/Del Mar). You’ll know you’ve reached the right spot when the ratio of swimsuits to bare skin flips. Don’t just drop your towel and strip right at the trail bottom unless you want to be the only one; walk north for about 5-10 minutes until you settle into the vibe.

3. The Vibe Check: Navigating the Gaze

This is the big one. What’s the crowd like, and will everyone be looking at me?

Honest truth: The core demographic at Black’s—the regulars who are there Tuesday morning in November—skews heavily toward older men. For the most part, these folks are incredibly chill, respectful, and just there to get an even tan and read a book. It’s surprisingly non-sexual. It’s just… bodies. All kinds of bodies, existing neutrally.

However, as women, we always have to have our radar up. You might get an occasional lingering look, and the intensity of the “vibe” changes drastically depending on when you go.

Timing is Everything: Peak vs. Quiet Hours

The atmosphere at Black’s shifts dramatically depending on the calendar and the clock.

• Peak Season (Summer Weekends & Major Holidays): If you go on a sunny Saturday in July, Memorial Day, or Labor Day weekend, the beach will be packed. The trek up and down the cliffs looks like an ant trail.
  
  • The Good News: The crowd is much more diverse during busy times. You will see way more couples, friend groups, and people in their 20s and 30s, which can feel comforting because you won’t be the only woman there.
    
  • The Bad News: The sheer volume of people means a higher chance of encountering tourists or college kids who are just there for the novelty and might be more inclined to gawk. It can be sensory overload for a first visit to a nude beach.

• The Sweet Spot (Weekdays & “May Gray”/”June Gloom”): For your maiden voyage, we highly recommend trying a weekday or a slightly overcast weekend morning during the spring or fall. The crowds are much thinner, the vibe is significantly quieter and more relaxed, and it feels less like a spectacle and more like just a regular beach day—just without tan lines.

The Bi+ Guide Tip: We highly recommend going with a friend, partner, or a small group from the SDBG community for your first time. There is safety and confidence in numbers. Having a buddy makes it infinitely easier to relax and laugh off any awkwardness. Also, wear big sunglasses—they are great for people-watching discreetly and avoiding accidental intense eye contact.

4. SPF is Non-Negotiable for “New Territory”

This seems obvious, but it is the mistake that will ruin your entire week.

If you decide to go topless or fully nude, remember that certain parts of your body have likely never seen direct sunlight. Your chest, your butt, and your inner thighs are incredibly sensitive. They will burn faster than the rest of you.

Slather on high-SPF sunscreen before you get down there, and reapply obsessively. A burnt nipple is a special kind of torture.

5. The Liberation is Real (And it’s Not About Being “Hot”)

The most surprising thing about Black’s Beach is how quickly the nudity becomes normal. After the first fifteen minutes of hyper-awareness that you’re on a nude beach, you realize that nobody is really looking at you, because everyone is worried about people looking at them.

There is something profoundly healing about being in a space where all body types—sagging, scarred, soft, muscular, wrinkled—are out in the open. It’s a powerful antidote to the curated perfection of Instagram.

For bi+ women, it can feel like a unique reclamation of space. It’s a chance to exist outside of the male gaze, outside of heteronormative expectations, and just feel the sun on your skin. It’s less about feeling “sexy” and more about feeling free.

The Bottom Line: If you’re curious, try it. You don’t have to get naked right away. Go down, keep your bikini on, scope out the vibe, and maybe just untie your top when you’re lying on your stomach. Baby steps are fine. Just remember to bring water for the hike back up!