Black's Beach(Torrey Pines City Beach)

Located near the northern end of the neighborhood of La Jolla, Black’s Beach -also known as Torrey Pines City Beach - is a popular clothing-optional beach situated below the bluff-top community of Torrey Pines in San Diego County. The two-mile long beach is named after the Black family, who once owned large tracts of the surrounding coastal land. The beach has light brown sand and is located below a bluff-top glider port / parking area. Black’s Beach is also known for its large waves and strong water currents.

Black’s Beach does not have any permanent lifeguards, although lifeguards from the nearby Torrey Pines State Beach do come occasionally to patrol the beach here. Black’s Beach also has restrooms while showers can be found to the north of the beach in the adjacent Torrey Pines State Beach.

Black’s Beach offers many fun activities including fishing, sunbathing, beachcombing, hiking, hang gliding, paragliding, jet-skiing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, surfing, skimboarding, paddle boarding, sailboarding, kitesurfing, boogie boarding, bodysurfing, and wildlife watching. There is an underwater canyon present near Black’s Beach which is responsible for its high-octane thrilling surfing waves. However, we recommend this beach for advanced surfers only as the waves here can get dangerous. The water near the beach is also home to a variety of animals including dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and migrating whales (January to March). You can also fish in Black’s Beach - popular catches here include halibut, surfperch, and corbina. The clothing optional part of Black’s Beach is in the northern portion of the beach, starting from Mussel Rocks (a rock formation extending into the water) to around a 100 yards south of the main access trail. However, if you are planning a clothing optional visit, it is recommended to stay within this boundary and be respectful of other beachgoers, as public indecency is outlawed in San Diego County.

Getting to Black’s Beach is easy - the access path to the beach is located at 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, where there is also a free parking lot. However, getting down to the beach can be difficult and we recommend caution – the access path is steep and partially eroded and the bluffs near the beach are unstable.

To the south of the beach is a funicular named "Mushroom House" which was built in the 1960s and is connected to one of the mansion above the nearby bluff top. There are many attractions near Black’s Beach. The La Jolla Historical Society offers interesting exhibits about the history of the La Jolla community and organizes many informative events including lectures, discussions and tours. The Stuart Collection is a series of 20 public art works on display at the campus of University of California San Diego which features works by reputed artists. If you like shopping, Downtown area of La Jolla has many designer stores, boutiques, spas, and restaurants.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Black’s Beach. A.R Valentien is an upscale restaurant that serves excellent classic American cuisine and has been praised in a variety of publications including the MICHELIN Guide and AFAR. A family-friendly restaurant is Shorehouse Kitchen which offers great breakfast dishes and was awarded the Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice award in 2020. Another good restaurant is the modestly-priced House of Pizza which offers outstanding pizzas and calzones.

If you are looking for a hotel to stay near Black’s Beach, there are many great options. The 4-Star Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection By Hilton offers many amenities including a pool, fitness center, and a restaurant. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego La Jolla which offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast and grocery delivery service, evening socials with snacks on weekdays, a pool, a hot tub, a sand volleyball court, outdoor space with fire pits, a convenience store, and a fitness center. Another good and affordable hotel is the modestly priced 2-Star Casa De La Playa which is located conveniently close to some of the major landmarks in La Jolla and offers many amenities including a spa and a restaurant.