11 Nude beaches in California to Sun Your Bum
- Nick Vannello
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
California is no stranger to sunshine, surfboards, and free spirits. But tucked along its rugged coastline, from San Diego up to San Francisco Bay, lie beaches where the dress code is blissfully simple: nothing at all. Whether you’re a seasoned naturist, curious first-timer, or just someone who loves the idea of being kissed head-to-toe by the sun, California nude beaches invite you to strip down and sink in.
Of course, knowing where to go—and what you’re stepping into—is part of the adventure. Some beaches are official clothing-optional havens. Others are “traditionally tolerated” zones, where nudity exists in a bit of a legal gray area. Rangers and local authorities can still enforce regulations, so awareness is key.
So pack your sunscreen, ditch your swimsuit, and let’s take a journey through 11 of the best nude beaches in California.
A Cautionary Tale from Avila Beach
Long before GPS, it wasn’t uncommon to end up at the wrong shoreline. Patch Editor Rachel Barnes shared her story of trying to meet friends at Avila Beach in college. She took a wrong turn and landed at a nude beach instead.
“I got out of my car and started walking toward the ocean, looking for my friends,” she recalls. “Instead, I saw someone’s grandpa in a way I didn’t want to see him!”
For Cal Poly students, stumbling upon the clothing-optional Pirate’s Cove is practically a rite of passage. The lesson? Know where you’re headed—or embrace the surprise.
The Beaches
Here’s where to find California’s most famous spots for nude sunbathing, skinny-dipping, and living life a little more bare.
📍 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla
Black’s Beach is legendary. Nestled below the cliffs near the Torrey Pines Gliderport, it’s California’s largest nude beach. The northern stretch is clothing-optional, while surfers dominate the southern end. It takes a bit of a hike down steep trails, but once you arrive, the wide sandy expanse is perfect for sunning, swimming, and people-watching.
📍 Old Pacific Highway, San Clemente
Nicknamed Gladiator Beach, this hidden stretch lies just south of the state park boundary. It’s only accessible by hiking in, which keeps the crowds smaller. Be aware: rangers and even military police (due to proximity to Camp Pendleton) occasionally issue citations.
📍 1095 Mockingbird Lane, Santa Barbara
Tucked below dramatic bluffs, More Mesa is semi-secret, known mostly to locals. The rule of thumb: turn right at the bottom of the stairs for the clothing-optional side, left if you’d rather keep things covered.
📍 El Camino Real, Goleta
Small and secluded, Vista Del Mar feels worlds away from civilization. Surrounded by cliffs and rail trestles, it offers a rugged, adventurous atmosphere. Head west at low tide for a longer trek along the shoreline.
📍 El Camino Real, Goleta
Not to be confused with San Clemente’s beach, this lesser-known Santa Barbara spot has a clothing-optional past. It’s quiet, scenic, and best suited for those seeking solitude—though state park rangers may occasionally enforce the no-nudity law.
📍 Cave Landing Road, Avila Beach
Famous, infamous, and unforgettable. Pirate’s Cove is one of the most well-known California nude beaches. A popular spot for students, locals, and travelers, it’s carved into the cliffs between Avila and Shell Beach. Its history even includes rum smuggling during Prohibition.
📍 19429 Cabrillo Highway, San Gregorio
The first nude beach in America. This privately managed stretch charges admission but remains wildly popular. Driftwood shelters dot the sand, offering privacy from the wind. Local lore says: straight crowd to the south, gay crowd to the north.
📍 Gibson Road and Bowley Street, San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge views. Secluded coves. A longstanding naturist tradition. North Baker Beach is iconic—though chilly water and foggy weather mean most visitors come to bask, hike, or take photos rather than swim.
📍 Bonny Doon Road & Cabrillo Highway, Santa Cruz
Marked by a distinctive rock that splits the shoreline, Bonny Doon is a naturist favorite in Santa Cruz. Choose your side wisely: one is clothing-optional, the other is not.
📍 La Honda Road & Cabrillo Highway
This public beach shares a border with San Gregorio Private Beach. Families flock to the main section, while nudists migrate toward the private, fee-based portion.
📍 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach
Remote and wild, Red Rock is part of Mount Tamalpais State Park. It’s small, rocky, and best visited at low tide. The isolation makes it one of Northern California’s most peaceful nude sunbathing spots.
The Law and the Lifestyle
California may be casual, but technically public nudity is illegal statewide. Under California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 4322, nudity is prohibited in state parks unless specific areas have been authorized. That means while naturist traditions endure, enforcement is inconsistent.
Translation: sometimes you’ll be left alone, sometimes you’ll be asked to cover up—or fined. Respect the rules, stay mindful of your surroundings, and remember: just because a beach is “clothing optional” doesn’t mean it’s risk-free.
California nude beaches represent freedom, body acceptance, and the thrill of ocean air on bare skin. From the sprawling sands of Black’s Beach to the tucked-away cliffs of Pirate’s Cove, there’s a place for every kind of naturist—solo adventurers, LGBTQ travelers, curious couples, and communities of sun-worshippers who prefer tan lines to be optional.
If you’re planning your next clothing-optional getaway, add these nude beaches in California to your itinerary. Just don’t forget the sunscreen.
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