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.[1][2] 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.[3][unreliable source?]

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.[4] 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.[5][failed verification]

"Mushroom House" on south end of Black's Beach, north of Scripps Pier with funicular to La Jolla Farms mansion atop cliff

A submarine canyon funnels swells into Black's Beach, making it appealing to surfers but dangerous for inexperienced swimmers.[6] Usually, lifeguards are at the beach until 6:00 p.m., year round.[7] Due to budget cuts, lifeguard patrols were limited but have increased because of funding by UC San Diego.[8] Stingrays can be found along the coastline when the water gets above 50 degrees.

  1. ^ Goya, Alexander; Lynn Goya (2011). Best Hikes Near San Diego. Morris Book Publishing. p. 59. ISBN 9781493005901. Retrieved June 18, 2014.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Blacks Beach". San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Lifeguard Services. Archived from the original on July 1, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  3. ^ Black's Beach - La Jolla, California - Clothing-Optional Beach near San Diego
  4. ^ La Jolla, A Celebration of Its Past. Patricia Daly-lipe and Barbara Dawson
  5. ^ "Blacks Beach CA - Secluded Blacks Beach in La Jolla California". San-diego-beaches-and-adventures.com. 2011-06-26. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
  6. ^ "2 Swimmers Rescued At Black's Beach - San Diego News Story - KGTV San Diego". 10news.com. 2010-05-07. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
  7. ^ Black's Beach La Jolla | Directions, Hours, Amenities, Rules | SanDiego.com
  8. ^ UCSD Agrees to Pay for Black's Beach Lifeguards | NBC 7 San Diego