Have you been trying to find the best nude beaches in California? California has some of the most incredible beaches found in the world. In a land of movie stars and dreams, why wouldn’t you want to find a nude beach? Thankfully, the state of California offers several truly gorgeous nude beaches where you are able to let your hair down and just relax. There are no hang-ups, worries, or swimsuits…just the opportunity to get back to nature. The vast majority of these California nude beaches are somewhat off the grid and a bit harder to get to, however, that is going to give you the ultimate in privacy. Whether you are looking for a populated clothing-optional spot or somewhere a little more secluded to take it all off, we are going to share with you the best nude beaches California has to offer.
Northern California Nude Beaches
College Cove
If you are in the area of Trinidad, California, you will want to head to the north cove of Trinidad State Beach. It is here where you will find a gem of a nude beach known as College Cove Beach. This is a much more secluded beach than the main beach over at Trinidad Head, making it perfect for nudists.
Pewetole Island is a large rock covered in trees that is the dividing line between the two coves. This is considered to be one of the more popular natural settings in the area for gorgeous sunset photography. When the tide rolls out, be sure to walk through “The Portal”, a rock arch that separates College Cove from the main beach. Throughout the wet season or even after a heavy rain, you will take note of College Cove Falls, located on a small cliff toward the back of the beach.
There are a number of hiking trails in the area that let you explore the area deeper and find some beautiful locations such as, Megwil Point, Elk Head, and Omenoku Point.
For parking, there is a separate section for College Cove. When coming from downtown Trinidad, take Stagecoach Road and ignore the first sign you see for Trinidad State Beach. Instead, continue driving and turn onto College Cove and Elk Head.
Once in the parking lot, head over to the large trail that heads toward Elk Head. To find Collège Cove, you will turn left off of this trail and walk down a narrow trail. Take care on this trail as it will begin to immediately descend. You will more than likely find several beachgoers enjoying the clothing optional lifestyle.
Land’s End Beach
San Francisco holds the distinction of offering two nude friendly beaches, with Land’s End being another top favorite in the state. For this particular beach, you will need to visit the El Camino del Mar car park and walk to the beach. Please understand that this can be a difficult trek due to the rocky path.
If for some reason, you are seeking out the least popular nude beach California has, this would probably make the list. The area always tends to remain cooler, even on the warmest of days and due to the rough conditions, swimming is not prohibited. On the busiest of days you may encounter up to a dozen or so nudists. For many people, this is simply not going to be their cup of tea. If you are looking for a better nudist destination, you would be best to head to nearby Baker Beach. However, if you want some alone time and enjoy some rather spectacular views, this beach could be a winning solution! Many people state that this is the best natural clothing optional beach San Francisco has.
Central California Nude Beaches
Pirate’s Cove
If Black’s Beach is just a little too open and crowded, you may be more comfortable at Pirate’s Cove The area is quite stunning with soft sand and rocky craves, this is the perfect nude beach California has for a natural dip into the cool waters. This is a great beach for those just dipping their toes into public nudity. Here you will find a great mix of beginners just like you and nudist veterans that will make your visit enjoyable and memorable. You will find Pirate’s Cover nestled between Shell Beach and Avila Beach. Getting there is as simple as taking the drive to Cave Landing Road and walking down to the beach.
Pirate’s Cove is a gorgeous clothing optional beach that is situated between Shell Beach and Avila Beach areas of Pismo Beach, California. On many days the south facing cove remains protected from the elements and locals and tourists enjoy this comfortable setting to remain clothing free. The area features the popular Pirate’s Cave as well as numerous other sea caves and has been named Cave Landing. You will find several trails at the main parking area that continue through the bluff. One of the most popular of these trails is the Shell Beach Bluff Trail which can be found at the north end of Indio Drive. This is but a small section of the incredible California Coastal Trail. If you are interested in other popular hiking trails in the area, be sure to check out the Ontario Ridge Trail, which begins at Shell Beach Road.
If you want to find the easiest and most direct access path to the beach, head to the Cave Landing Road parking area, which can be found off of Avila Beach Drive. Head on over to the walking path and look for a sign that will direct you to either the main cave or the beach. If you are fine with keeping your clothing on for a bit, check out the cave, this is going to offer some incredible views of both the ocean and San Luis Bay. I wish I could say this is going to be an easy stroll.
However, the path to Pirate’s Beach is going to be a challenge. At the time of this writing, the area has recently been taking over by San Luis Obispo County, which plans to make major improvements, so we can only wait and hope. Many area residents have been unwilling to see changes to the area as they prefer the natural feel to the area. And more than likely want to keep this more of a local area and keep tourists away. And just in case you are curious, the name Pirate’s Cove goes back to a day when liquor was smuggled into the area, but fear not there are no more pirates in the area!
Red Rock Beach
If you are looking for the best nude beach California has to truly let loose and have some fun, look no further than Red Rock Beach. This beach is filled with a group of people who want to party and live it up in the buff. The beach features and fun and party like atmosphere and it is so easy to strike up a conversation or get involved in a game of nude volleyball. Do keep in mind that this beach is in close proximity to clothed family beaches so always ensure you are on the right beach before you drop your shorts…or you may have a legal problem on your hands!
If you travel just south of Stinson Beach, you will come across the nude beach California has that is known as Red Rock Beach. This is going to be another hard to access beach, so dress comfortably and wear good shoes! This is a remote beach in the Mount Tamalpais State Park, however, there are no nearby facilities, so it is best you come prepared for the day. Once you reach the rocky shoreline, you will want to head north and pass the large boulders and you come across a nice wide beach. It is important to realize that at high tide the sand is going to be wet, so check online tide charts before making the long trek out there only to be disappointed.
In addition, the winter months are harsh on this beach, leaving it quite rocky and uncomfortable for a day of fun and sun. If you visit during the low tides, you will be able to enjoy a hot spring that is near a large rock just south of where the trail meets the beach. The is parking for Red Rock Beach on both sides of Highway 1, which is about a quarter mile north of the gate for Steep Ravine Beach. You can also get to Red Rock by starting your journey at Stinson Beach and walking south past the boulders. This is actually one of the best and easiest routes to take as long at there is a low tide.
Crater Beach
Sand City is a relaxing nude beach California offers with soft sands and natural sand dunes for privacy. This is quite different than most flat beaches you have been to, due to the fact that it is a large depression within the dunes. Go ahead and strip down and slide all the way down the dunes. It sure is fun, with the exception of the sand in certain areas!
While the “crater” and its beach are well known for being clothing-optional, but are also known as a fun sandy playground for all. The Crater is a huge depression in the dunes in which sand rises up from all sides. Here you will find slopes that are rather gentle to others that are downright extreme. Kids will love the gentle slopes to use a natural slide while parents and adults will find these to be easy access to the beach. The beach is like no other you may encounter in the area, it is not only large and wide but feels so remote. In fact, many have said it feels out of this world…so if you are looking for an alien encounter, the Crate may be your beach of choice.
The Crater is not as hard to find as some of the other clothing optional beaches on our list. Here you will simply want to park at the northern end of the Sand City Shopping Center and walk along California Avenue up to the Highway 1 bridges. Here you are going to find a gate that directs you to the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. You will notice signs that display “Private Property”, however, most will ignore these signs and simply climb over. Once past this small obstacle, the Crater is going to be to your left.
Hole-in-the-Wall Beach
Just the name ‘Hole-in-the-Wall Beach’ may give you some insight into this particular beach. For many they may think it is a dirty or adult-oriented beach. However, it is filled with great people and quite a bit of privacy. It is located just a bit further south from Panther Beach. The beach gets its name from the literal hole in wall you must pass through a large area of rocks that divide it from Panther Beach. While nudity is free and open, please take care of the strong tides in the area. The stropng tides are one of the main reasons this is not more of a popular nude beach California features. Nothing can ruin a day of nude fun as being swept out to sea!
The town of Davenport is home to the gorgeous clothing optional beach of Hole-in-the-Wall, which is located just south of Panther Beach. There is only one way which you can access this particular clothing optional beach in the Santa Cruz area and that is by walking south through Panther Beach and pass through the literal hole in the wall which is a huge rock formation that passes into the surf. You will find it much easier to access the beach during a low tide, however, it is still possible to gain access during the high tide, it will just be a tad more difficult.
However, it is best to pass up this particular beach during dangerous surf condition or extraordinary high tides. If you are driving a distance to spend a day at the Hole-In-The-Wall-Beach, be sure to consult with a tide chart for the proper timing. While Hole-In-The-Wall is generally accepted as a clothing optional beach in the area, Panther Beach is as well to a lesser degree. While swimming is allowed at both beaches, the conditions can be rather dangerous. It is best to never swim alone due to cold water temperatures and rip currents.
Southern California Nude Beaches
Black’s Beach, San Diego
One of the most popular and easy to get to nude beach California offers is Blacks Beach. Many will consider this to be the best nude beach San Diego has to offer. While this beach is located in San Diego it is hidden from view of curiosity seekers and gawkers. One must travel down a trail that begins at Torrey Pines Gliderport and ends on the beach. This is a large beach that is fully open to nudists for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, even volleyball. If you are a first time nudist, consider the fact that this is the most popular nude beach in California and you will be on a very crowded beach with all types of nudists. So if you are a little timid or shy about dropping your swimsuit in public for the first time, this may not be your best option.
This is an extremely long beach that begins at Torrey Pines State Beach and flows south to the end at Scripps Beach. One of the most important things to remember about this beach is the fact that it is one of the most difficult beaches to get to. The access route that begins at the large glider port parking area is going to be rather sleep for many people. If you have difficulty walking or have a lot of beach accessories, it may be best to choose an easier access beach or choose another route. If you proceed further south to the intersection of La Jolla Farms Road and Blackgold, you will find an easier paved path that will take you to the area known as South Blacks Beach.
Unlike some other clothing optional beaches in California, the nude section is clearly defined to ensure there are no issues when you disrobe! The general nude beach begins at Mussel Rocks, you will see the large rocks extending into the water and goes about 100 yards south of the main access trail. If you are searching for the gay section, that is about a 15 minute walk north from the main path. There are also two much easier access points at North Beach and South Beach located on North Torrey Pines Road. This is the absolute best clothing optional beach San Diego has to offer!
More Mesa Beach
As you travel just north of downtown Santa Barbara, you will come across the exciting nude beach California has that is known as Mesa Beach. This is one of the smaller clothing optional beaches in California and tends to enjoy a wide range of nudists enjoy the sun and surf. Many people consider this to be one of the most picturesque nude beaches in Southern California.
Located in More Mesa Park in Santa Barbara, just below the bluffs, you will find the secluded clothing optional More Mesa Beach. Due to the fact that it is almost completely hidden it is one of the more perfect location to enjoy a nude day at the beach. Main access to the beach can be found at the end of Mockingbird Lane in the Vista La Cumbre development. However, there is no legal parking in that area, so settle for a spot on Puente Drive or Vieja Drive and just walk the rest of the way. As you cross the wide open mesa heading toward the ocean, look through the trees for a path that will take you down the steep bluff.
There are steps going down this path, but it can still be a difficult journey for some. One of the most important things to remember is at the bottom of the path if you turn right you can take your clothes off on the beach, if you turn left and take your clothes off on the beach, you will get some rude looks and may end up in a county jail cell! The left side features the Hope Ranch Beach, which is not clothing optional! During the high tide, the beach is very wet and in some instances will not be passable.
To arrive at this particular beach, you will want to turn off of Hollister Avenue and travel on Puente Drive, which is eventually going to turn into Vieja Drive. Keep in mind that there is another entrance located further from the beach access path that can be found further down Patterson Avenue with several parking spaces. While much of the land in this area is privately owned, the More Mesa Preservation Coalition has been fighting for years to preserve it. Much of the land you will pass through is environmentally sensitive, however, the northeastern section has the potential to be developed. If this was to happen the Mockingbird Lane access could be blocked leaving a negative impact on the area.
Boneyard Beach, California
If you are looking for the best nude beach California has for the ultimate in seclusion in the area, you will want to mark your destination for Boneyard Beach. This beach is located below an extremely steep cliff and in order to get there, it is best to head to either D Street Beach or Swami’s Beach and walk the rest of the way. You must also contend with the tides in order to get to the beach. It may seem like a lot to go through, but many find it worthwhile for their own semi-private nude hideaway.
San Onofre State Beach
For those of you at San Onofre State Beach, you will want to find trail six and walk south until you reach the bottom of the trail. This is an incredibly stunning nude beach California offers to strip off the bathing suit and enjoy nature the way it was intended!
San Onofre State Beach is a 3,000-acre state park in San Diego County that just happens to offer an incredible clothing optional beach. The park features six individual trails that lead down to the beaches in the state park. You will find the nude beach at the end of trail number six.
Simply enter the park and pay your fee and travel the park road until the very end, here you will see a trailhead marker for Trail 6. Continue on this trail to the beach and head south moving away from the lifeguard tower as this will take you to the nudist section of the beach. As you walk the beach you will come across a fence that dives the park from the federally owned Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base. Rumor has it that the beach on the other side of this fence is where gay nudists tend to come for fun and relaxation. However, keep in mind that this is federal property and it is possible to be cited and fined by rangers from either the military base of state park. Keep in mind that this is another area for dangerous tides and it would be in your best interest to seek out a San Onofre tide chart before taking a nude plunge!
