Black's Beach Bares

Newsletter Archive

Word 2000 Version

This is a text archive of Black's Beach Tidings for this year.  It is organized with most recent newsletters at the top.

The Beach in General:
There were many great, warm and sunny days in September, but not so warm as is typical. The month even ended with some rain. The sand has mostly been too hot for bare feet. The water temperature has dropped to 66. Weekend crowds of a few thousand have dwindled to a few hundred.

Past Events:
We hosted several Sunday picnics in September. People shared chicken, sweet corn, bratwurst, hot dogs, shrimp and pineapple. We made a strong showing at the Western Gathering and we brought the gathering to Black's Beach one day. 

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides in the fall typically occur at about 9am. As we lose sand it will eventually mean very little dry sand during the day.

Spring tides are closely bound to new and full moon, but comparably high a few days before and after. Also the time of highest tide gets about 40 minutes later each day. 

World's Best Nude Beaches and Resorts:
We have warm weather here all year, but not every day of the year. When you don't have the free time to wait for a warm day, you might want to have other choices. The Naturist Society has the perfect guide book, with alternatives all over the world. There is a link on our web site.

Cliff Hazards:
A pickup was driven off the cliff the night of August 30. It was a suicide. Four eyewitnesses saw it, but each had a reason not to call. It was found the morning of August 31 and recovered late that afternoon. More details are available on my "trip reports" page.

There was another rockslide, September 22. This one was just south of Flatrock and claimed no lives.

Sunsets and the Green Flash:
With a sharp horizon and a clear sky, it should be possible to see the green flash following sunset. Once the sun gets low enough in the sky and the refraction of our atmosphere separates colored images of the sun, we can see the green image after the brighter, red image goes over the horizon. Watch for a moment of green light after sunset. 

Membership and Subscriptions:
Free copies from the bulletin board and website will continue because keeping people informed is the point. Please consider making a donation anyway. There are monthly expenses for operating the website. Donations can also be directed to Black's Beach Diggers for trail work. You decide if the newsletter, the website or the trail have made your visit better, and donate accordingly. 

Tools for Preserving Black's Beach:
The threat to San Onofre was due to a new superintendent, but it was inflamed by lewd conduct around the nude beach. The back page this month includes a form letter and a map. We give out the from letter to stop misconduct that threatens our beach. Feel free to pass on a copy when necessary.

Conduct on Black's Beach

A clothing optional or nude beach is a public place, and the rules for good behavior are the same as for any other public place. SEXUAL AND/OR LEWD ACTIVITY IN PUBLIC IS ILLEGAL. It could cause the State to close the beach to nude use. If you wouldn't do it in front of a police officer, don't do it here!

California Penal Code section 314 (a misdemeanor): Section 314.1 prohibits conduct that is intended to direct public attention to his or her genitals for purposes of sexual arousal, gratification, or affront where there are other persons present to be offended or annoyed. Section 314.2 prohibits the solicitation of the same.

Every person who is convicted of violating Penal Code section 314.1 must register as a sex offender for the rest of their life. Second and subsequent offenses are charged as felonies. 

California Penal Code section 647 (a): It is a misdemeanor to touch, in public or in public view, the genitals, buttocks, or female breast for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, annoyance or offense, if the person knows or should know of the presence of persons who may be offended. It also prohibits the solicitation of such public conduct.

Simple nudity, such as sunbathing or skinny-dipping, is not prohibited under Penal Code sections 314.1 or 647(a).

San Onofre:
August 27, 2008 Judge Sheila Fell ruled in our favor in the San Onofre case. Her decision states Cahill/Harrison is a regulation and cannot be revoked or changed without a public hearing. This proves what we have said all along, and rangers denied. Nudity is not just tolerated here. It is legal. It puts a little more confidence in our "Clothing Optional" labeled map.

The state has appealed the decision and Friends of San Onofre has sued to have the signs removed. Both matters await the outcome of the appeal.

Even when the decision is upheld, it won't be over. When the public hearing is scheduled, we must attend in large numbers and present a compelling argument. Otherwise, San Onofre will only be the first to fall, followed by Black's Beach and all other clothing optional sites.

Friends of San Onofre and the Naturist Society have fought for us and deserve our financial support. Please send them donations. Consider it the cost of visiting Black's Beach.

The Beach in General:
There were many great, warm days in August, though not as sunny as is typical. The sand has been too hot for bare feet and the water warm, about 73.

Perhaps a thousand people have been visiting sunny weekends, only hundreds on weekdays. People generally play in the water during the hot mid-day and move to volleyball when the sand cools off later in the day.

Past Events:
We have hosted Sunday picnics and one Surf Fest. The only thing this Surf Fest had in common with past events was poor surf. There were no entry forms, no judges, no timer and no prizes. Geoff did provide surfboards for general use.

Future Events:
Let the picnics continue! You don't have to bring food, but the key to participation is to bring something to share. We provide the fire, but you cook it. Then you pass it around in bite-sized pieces and mingle.

The toys and the games are still available, including body boards. We still pass out tattoos. We still lead swims. There's still a lot of summer left!

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. In the summer we get a wide beach during the busy day, but there's a sharp rise late in the day.

Consider this before taking a long walk. You wouldn't want to return to find your stuff has been washed out to sea. Spring tides are closely bound to new and full moon, but comparably high a few days before and after.

Rockslide:
There was a rockslide August 20th that claimed a man's life. It was north of Flatrock. He was hit on the head and buried for a short time. He died en route to a hospital. If you chose to sit near the cliff, be aware of the danger. 

Parking Lots:
The parking lot is often locked promptly at 8pm, but there is another way out. Left of that gate and a ways across the gravel lot is another exit, the Salk gate. You may have seen a guard sitting there earlier in the day. Look to the right. Sometimes that gate is closed, but not locked. The third exit is blocked by concrete. 

Stingrays:
There are stingrays in our water all year, even knee deep. Stingrays don't attack people, but if you step on one, you will learn that their defense mechanism is very painful. It's treated with heat. Bury the affected area in hot sand. The pain takes hours to pass and rarely requires medical attention. 

Victory for Friends of San Onofre!
August 27, 2008 Judge Sheila Fell ruled in our favor in the San Onofre case. Her decision states Cahill/Harrison is a regulation and cannot be revoked or changed without a public hearing. This means rangers at San Onofre cannot begin issuing citations until after that hearing takes place. This proves what we have said all along, and rangers denied. Nudity is not just tolerated here. It is legal.

This is what the Naturist Action Committee does for us. Freedom is not free. The NAC pays for it all the time. This is simply the example that hit closest to home. Without this favorable ruling, the path to ending our freedom at Black's Beach would have been clear. Be thankful that NAC stood in the way, and consider giving them more support.

It isn't over yet. When the public hearing is scheduled, we must attend in large numbers and present a compelling argument.

The Naturist Society (TNS):
TNS is a member organization formed to promote nude recreation and body acceptance. They work closely with the Naturist Action Committee (NAC). Both organizations defend clothing optional use of public land through participating groups like ours. Without their hard work in years past, you would not be nude on this beach or any other.

We constantly need your help. You say you've been coming to Black's Beach for how many years? Has it gotten better? Has it gotten worse? What have you done? What have you given back?

Sometimes we need you to write letters. That didn't help with San Onofre. Sometimes we need to hire a lobbyist. That didn't turn the tide either. Sometimes we need to hire lawyers. That is where we won this time. Money is still needed. Sometimes we need attendance at a meeting. That's coming up.

A good place to start is with TNS membership. With TNS membership you get a subscription to their quarterly magazine, keeping you informed. You also get discounted admission to resorts, invitations to gatherings and festivals, discounts on Skinny Dipper merchandise and voting privileges. Most importantly your membership adds strength in numbers to protect our choice not to wear clothes. 

Western Gathering:
TNS conducts several gatherings a year. The gatherings are political in nature, sharing good news and bad. Philosophies and tactics are discussed, but there is also a great deal of fun, games and camaraderie. 

The time of the nearest gathering is at hand. This year the gathering is at DeAnza Springs, east of San Diego, September 11-14. Allen, Claudia, Dave, Geoff and Lloyd will be conducting workshops. If you can't manage to attend the gathering, you can still meet everyone when they come to our September 14 picnic.

Subscriptions:
This is a good time to remind people that subscriptions are $10/year. Please subscribe, renew or make a donation. I ask a $2 donation for email subscriptions.

Many people take free copies from the bulletin board and the people who read newsletters from the website are uncounted too. These free sources of the newsletter will continue, because keeping people informed is the point.

Please consider making a donation anyway. There are monthly expenses for operating the website. Donations can also be directed to Friends of San Onofre or NAC. You decide if the legal defense, newsletter, website or trail have made your visit better, and donate accordingly. I have Friends of San Onofre envelopes, if you want to send it yourself.

The Beach in General:
It has been rather cool, for July. Certainly the weather has been warm, but often overcast. Sometimes the sand is too hot for bare feet, but not so often. The water has been plenty warm, mostly 73 degrees.

Perhaps a thousand people have been visiting sunny weekends, only hundreds on weekdays. Surfing and swimming is the activity of choice in the middle of the day. Volleyball, the most visible game, is generally played later in the day and closer to the surf.

Past Events:
Black's Beach Bares hosted several picnics in July, starting with July 4th. Our grills have been used to cook the common favorites, hot dogs, bratwurst, hamburgers and chicken. But, some unusual treats have been cooked too, sweet corn, carne asada, pineapple, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, eggplant and ribs.

Future Events:
Let the picnics continue! You don't have to bring food, but the key to participation is to bring something to share. We provide the fire, but you cook it. Then you pass it around in bite-sized pieces and mingle.

The toys and the games, including body boards and sand castle molds, are still available. We still have tattoos to pass out. We still lead swims. There's still a lot of summer left!

The surf event is coming up. There is no entry fee. In years past, prizes were given for best rides, surfing, body boarding and body surfing. There were prizes for men women and kids. The prizes were T-shirts.

The Naturist Society (TNS):
TNS is a member organization formed to promote nude recreation. They do this by defending clothing optional use of public land through participating groups like ours. Without their hard work in years past, you would not be nude on this beach or any other.

Like all grass roots organizations, we constantly need help. TNS membership keeps us informed about what is going on and what is needed. It adds strength in numbers to protect our choice to not wear clothes. 

Western Gathering:
TNS conducts several gatherings a year. The gatherings are political in nature, sharing good news and bad. Philosophies and tactics are discussed, but there is also a great deal of fun, games and camaraderie.

The time of the nearest gathering is at hand. This year the gathering is at DeAnza Springs, east of San Diego, September 11-14. Claudia, Dave, Geoff and Lloyd will be conducting a few workshops. Please join us.

San Onofre:
The freedom of our northern brothers at San Onofre is still in jeopardy. Rangers are still intent on revoking Cahill/Harrison, as it applies to San Onofre State Beach. "Nudity Prohibited" signs have been erected at many locations in the park, but rangers have stated publicly that citations will not be given until September 1.

Friends of San Onofre have filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The basis of the suit is that this was a unilateral decision, and that public input is required for a policy shift of this magnitude. The suit calls for the reinstatement of the Cahill Policy, pending compliance with the California Administrative Procedure Act. The actual petitions are available through the Naturist Action Committee website, which you can find through our "alerts" page. If the suit is successful, there will be a public hearing, which we should all attend. Otherwise, the hearing could still go badly for us.

Currently there is no threat against Black's Beach, but it could happen here next. Please help us fight for our freedom. Friends of San Onofre need donations, and Ruth Coleman should continue to receive letters. 

Drum Circles:
Since about 1994 there have been full moon drum circles at Black's Beach, started by the Rainbow Family. In recent years these drum circles have taken a turn for the worse. Fires were not extinguished, trash was left behind and the trail has been taken apart for firewood.

The Rainbow Family has disowned the activity, because their solemn celebration has become a rowdy, drunken party, and it's gotten worse. It seems gangs have taken over the activity. Several months ago people were robbed at knifepoint. Last month a tourist was stabbed. He survived, but people should be wary that these drum circles are not what they used to be.

Sunsets and the Green Flash:
With a sharp horizon and a clear sky, it should be possible to see the green flash following sunset. Once the sun gets low enough in the sky and the refraction of our atmosphere separates colored images of the sun, we can see the green image after the brighter, red image goes over the horizon. Watch for a moment of green light right after sunset. 

Parking Lots:
The parking lot is often locked promptly at 8pm. Newcomers should know how to get out if they find it locked before they leave. Left of that gate and a ways across the gravel lot is another exit. Look to the right. 

Torrey Pines Reef 2:
There is an artificial reef offshore, about 3/8 mile out and 35 feet down. This reef is host to a variety of life, fish, and invertebrates. With the warm water, swim expeditions to the reef take place in the early afternoon. Ambitious swimmers should look for buddies between our two flags, or contact Lloyd through the website.

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides in the summer typically occur at about 9pm. We get a wide beach during the busy day, but there's a sharp rise late in the day.

Consider this before taking a long walk. You wouldn't want to return to find your stuff has been washed out to sea. When you're laying down watching the waves get closer and closer, consider that the next big wave might reach you. Spring tides are closely bound to new and full moon, but comparably high a few days before and after. Also the time of highest tide gets about 50 minutes later each day.

The Beach in General:
June gave us plenty of gloomy days, but also days of hot sunshine. Few people were here, but most of the US Open days were gloomy. While there were posted signs stating we could not get to the beach that week, people were able to park far and walk down the usual trail.

Perhaps two thousand people have been visiting sunny weekends, only hundreds on weekdays. People generally play in the water during the hot mid-day and move to volleyball when the sand cools off later in the day. The water temperature has ranged from 66-73.

Future Events:
Sunday picnics begin this month. They will all be contingent on good weather. Ice cream will be made on exceptionally hot Sundays. 

You don't have to bring food, but the key to participation is to bring something to share. We provide the fire, but you cook it. Then you pass it around in bite-sized pieces and mingle.

Toys and games are available, including body boards, horseshoes and volleyball. We still have tattoos to pass out. We still lead swims.

National Nude Recreation Week:
National Nude Recreation Week is July 6-13 this year. To us here at Black's Beach, it means doing what we always do, enjoying our freedom to choose not to wear clothes. The problems at San Onofre remind us that we cannot take this freedom for granted.

It's a freedom our forefathers enjoyed, but is facing more challenges every year as our population grows. Will this freedom be reduced to just private property, and from there be restricted to the shower and bedroom?

The Naturist Society (TNS):
TNS is a member organization formed to promote nude recreation and body acceptance. They do this by defending clothing optional use of public land through participating groups like ours. Without their hard work in years past, you would not be nude on this beach or any other.

We constantly need your help. You say you've been coming to Black's Beach for how many years? Has it gotten better? Has it gotten worse? What have you done? What have you given back?

TNS membership is a good start. With TNS membership you get a subscription to their quarterly magazine, discounted admission to resorts, invitations to gatherings and festivals, discounts on Skinny Dipper merchandise and voting privileges. Most importantly your membership adds strength in numbers to protect our choice not to wear clothes. Please join with us to ensure that there is always room on public land for nude recreation. Look for our yellow flag for more information.

San Onofre:
The freedom of our northern brothers at San Onofre is still in jeopardy. Rangers are still intent on revoking Cahill/Harrison, as it applies to San Onofre State Beach. "Nudity Prohibited" signs have been erected at many locations in the park, but rangers have stated publicly that citations will not be given until September 1.

Many people have received a form letter from J. M. Milligan as replies to our letters to Ruth Coleman. In that letter he tries to portray nudity as illegal and Cahill/Harrison as nothing more than an enforcement guideline. We know it is more than that. When rangers or police failed to follow the policy, judges dismissed the charges. This proves it is more than a guideline. It's law.

Currently there is no threat against Black's Beach, but it could happen here next. Please help us fight for our freedom. Friends of San Onofre have hired a lobbyist to try and get an audience with Director Ruth Coleman. They need donations, and Ruth Coleman should continue to receive letters. Please visit our website and visit the Friends of San Onofre site through our "Alerts" page for more detailed information and letter writing suggestions. 

Parking Lots:
As summer use increases, the west lot will fill and people will be forced to use the east lot. Overflow parking has been allowed on the other side of those signs "No Parking" signs, the east lot.

Gay Pride celebrations in Balboa Park will run from July 19-20 this year. That always has an impact on parking here.

The parking lot is often locked promptly at 8pm. Newcomers should know how to get out if they find it locked before they leave. Left of that gate and a ways across the gravel lot is another exit. Look to the right.

Sunsets and the Green Flash:
With a sharp horizon and a clear sky, it should be possible to see the green flash following sunset. Once the sun gets low enough in the sky and the refraction of our atmosphere separates colored images of the sun, we can see the green image after the brighter, red image goes over the horizon. Watch for a moment of green light after sunset. 

Catalina is seen silhouetted by the setting sun late in May and mid-July, perhaps 11-14. We don't always have a clear horizon, but if we can confirm the dates, we should be able to predict this every year.

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides in the summer typically occur at about 9pm. We get a wide beach during the busy day, but there's a sharp rise late in the day.

Consider this before taking a long walk. You wouldn't want to return to find your stuff has been washed out to sea. When you're laying down watching the waves get closer and closer, consider that the next big wave might reach you. Spring tides are closely bound to new and full moon, but comparably high a few days before and after. Also the time of highest tide gets about 40 minutes later each day.

Torrey Pines Reef 2:
There is an artificial reef offshore, about 3/8 mile out and 35 feet down. This reef is host to a variety of life, fish, lobster, starfish and other invertebrates. Now that the water is warm, swim expeditions to the reef will take place in the early afternoon. Ambitious swimmers should look for buddies between our two flags, or contact Lloyd through the website. 

The Beach in General:
There were some very warm days in May, but also the typical cool weather. It even rained a day or two.

Perhaps a thousand people visited on hot weekends, but only hundreds on weekdays.

The water temperature has been 68-70 all month. The beach has been wide with much of the sand returned. Often the sand has been too hot for bare feet.

Past Events:
We held our first picnics, Memorial Day weekend, Sunday and Monday. The picnic was lightly attended, two dozen or so. While it was sunny and warm, there was a steady cool breeze. More importantly, exaggerated forecasts of bad weather scared people away.

Only a few people brought food for the grill. There was chicken, hot dogs, sweet corn and pineapple.

Future Events:
We host no picnics in June, because June gloom has ruined them in the past. The time of year when Black's Beach Bares sponsors picnics every Sunday is approaching. They are all contingent on good weather. Ice cream may be made on exceptionally hot Sundays. 

You don't have to bring food, but the key to participation is to bring something to share. We provide the fire, but you cook it. Then you pass it around in bite-sized pieces and mingle.

Toys and the games will be available. We still have tattoos to pass out. We still lead swims.

Parking Lots:
Anyone who has been to the beach recently has noticed all the tents and bleachers. Those are preparations for the US Open, June 9-15. It is clear that the parking lot will be closed most or all of that time, maybe even more. Access to the beach will be difficult or impossible. The glider port will be closed and the parking lot will be a bus stop for the shuttles. If you are determined to visit the beach those days, look for other routes. Some are covered on the website. 

National Nude Recreation Week:
National Nude Recreation Week is July 6-13 this year. To us here at Black's Beach, it means doing what we always do, enjoying our freedom to choose not to wear clothes. Don't take it for granted. They are losing that freedom at San Onofre. We could lose it here someday too.

The Naturist Society (TNS) has been instrumental in preserving nude recreation at Black's Beach and many other sites. Black's Beach Bares and Friends of San Onofre continue to work with TNS. Please join with us to ensure that there is always room on public land for nude recreation. Look for our yellow flag for more information.

San Onofre:
Our northern neighbors at San Onofre State Beach are about to lose their freedom to bare it all. On May 21 Friends of San Onofre were abruptly informed that the Cahill Policy, as it applies to San Onofre, would be revoked June 1. There would then be an "education" month followed by citations beginning July 1.

Information on the Cahill Policy is available through the website and newsletter archives, particularly April 2006.

I attended a meeting with rangers and Friends of San Onofre on May 29. At that meeting we were informed that there is no plan to do the same at other locations, only San Onofre. The meeting did not go well for San Onofre.

Rangers cited lewd conduct on the beach and in the parking lot, as well as trespassing and lewd conduct on Camp Pendleton as the basis for the decision. Friends of San Onofre point out that this is the result of a determined adversary, Richard Haydon, finally being promoted to superintendent of San Onofre.

May 30, Tony Perez, the highest-ranking ranger at the meeting contacted Allen Baylis, our highest representative at the meeting. The park service backed off, but only a little. "Education" begins June 2 and enforcement may be delayed until after Labor Day.

This gives little comfort. It means rangers will spend the entire summer trying to scare people away, and begin citations when there is little resistance.

It would be wrong to simply breath a sigh of relief that it will not affect Black's Beach. The same could happen to us, especially if the strategy works at San Onofre. Help your neighbors and yourself. Visit our "alerts" page. Send a letter to the Parks director. The battle will be expensive, but worthwhile. Send a donation to Friends of San Onofre.

The Naturist Society (TNS):
TNS is a member organization formed to promote nude recreation and body acceptance. They do this by defending clothing optional use of public land through participating groups like ours. Without their hard work in years past, you would not be nude on this beach or any other.

We constantly need your help. You say you've been coming to Black's Beach for how many years? Has it gotten better? Has it gotten worse? What have you done? What have you given back?

TNS membership is a good start. With TNS membership you get a subscription to their quarterly magazine, discounted admission to resorts, invitations to gatherings and festivals, discounts on Skinny Dipper merchandise and voting privileges. Most importantly your membership adds strength in numbers to protect our choice not to wear clothes

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides in the summer typically occur at about 9pm. We get a wide beach during the busy day, but there's a sharp rise late in the day.

Consider this before taking a long walk. You wouldn't want to return to find your stuff has been washed out to sea. When you're laying down watching the waves get closer and closer, consider that the next big wave might reach you.

Spring tides are closely bound to new and full moon, but comparably high a few days before and after. Also the time of highest tide gets about 40 minutes later each day. 

The Beach in General:
There were two different heat waves in April, giving us two summer weekends ahead of schedule. Perhaps a thousand people have visited each of those two weekends, only hundreds on weekdays. Few people get in the water, since water temperatures have been 63 most of the month. The sand has been too hot for bare feet several days so far.

Future Events:
The time of year when Black's Beach Bares sponsors events begins this month. We will host picnics Memorial Day weekend and Sunday picnics July through September. They will all be contingent on good weather. Ice cream will be made on exceptionally hot Sundays. You don't have to bring food, but the key to participation is to bring something to share. We provide the fire, but you cook it. Then you pass it around in bite-sized pieces and mingle.

World Naked Gardening Day:
This is a new idea from Seattle's Body Freedom Collaborative. The idea is simply to try gardening nude, indoor, outdoor, private or public, according to what your community will bear. You can plant, rake or pull weeds. If you will be at Black's that day, I suggest removing exotic (non-native) plants. One example I know of is the tumbleweeds. I know I would like to step on their thorns less often. 

Catalina Sunsets:
Catalina is seen silhouetted by the setting sun late in May and mid-July. We don't always have a clear horizon, but if we can confirm the dates, we should be able to predict this every year.

Shark Attack:
There was a fatal shark attack at a nearby beach, Solana Beach. The man was swimming about 1/4 mile from shore with several buddies. They were training for a triathlon. The shark attacked from below and bit both his legs in half. His buddies towed him to shore, but he lost too much blood.

Local news stated that 17 miles of beach were closed; meaning beach users were discouraged from getting in the water for three days. Although Black's Beach was included in that area, no lifeguard said anything when I got in the water. Sharks are always a risk, but there have been very few attacks, 3 in 50 years.

Planets:
After sunset people sometimes like to watch the sky, so I'm including some highlights.

Facing west Sirius will be the first star you see. Far to the right is the constellation of Gemini. They will look like three stars, but one is Mars. Castor is the star on the right, Pollux in the middle and Mars on the left. Mars will move noticeably from night to night.

Saturn will be about straight up when the sky gets dark, brighter than the nearest star, Regulus, in Leo. While Saturn also moves from night to night, Mars moves much faster and will be nearest Saturn July 10.

The Value of Etiquette:
Newcomers should come to understand that etiquette has made our survival possible, and continues to preserve our nude oasis. In answer to the common question, "Why can't we go nude everywhere?" I offer the following explanation.

I can offer no rational reason for this beyond the political reality. The fact is that we are the minority, and the majority only allows us to exist within set boundaries. It's all we can do to keep these small oases open. Nudity outside the boundaries provokes a backlash, sometimes a devastating backlash.

Twice in the last few years the beach has been clothed for the day. Both times the cause was that somebody went out of bounds and somebody else complained. It is everybody's business when somebody crosses the line. Please stop them, if you can.

We all know there are boundaries; otherwise we would be going nude everywhere. Please wear the clothing compulsive "norm" if you go north of Mussel Rocks, south onto the City Beach, or up any trail. Don't try to expand our boundaries on your own. The more likely result would be further loss. That was the reason cited when we lost 1/3 of the beach in 1999. We can only keep this beach open if nudity stays within bounds. 

Parking Lots:
The US Open is at Torrey Pines this year, June 9-15. Considering that the Buick Invitational always impacts our parking, we must expect parking and traffic problems those days too. 

As summer use increases, the west lot will fill and people will be forced to use the east lot. Keep in mind that those no parking signs mean that you should leave a clear path so people can get through to the north lot. Overflow parking has been allowed on the other side of those signs, the east lot.

The parking lot is often locked promptly at 8pm. Newcomers should know how to get out if they find it locked before they leave. Left of that gate and a ways across the gravel lot is another exit. Look to the right. 

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides in the summer typically occur at about 9pm. We get a wide beach during the busy day, but there's a sharp rise late in the day.

Consider this before taking a long walk. You wouldn't want to return to find your stuff has been washed out to sea. When you're laying down watching the waves get closer and closer, consider that the next big wave might reach you.

Spring tides are closely bound to new and full moon, but comparably high a few days before and after. Also the time of highest tide gets about 40 minutes later each day.

Membership and Subscriptions:
Both are rather casual. There is no official list of members and I rarely check subscription expirations. Subscriptions by US mail are $10/year, and I ask $2/year for email subscriptions. 

Free copies from the bulletin board and website will continue because keeping people informed is the point. Please consider making a donation anyway. There are monthly expenses for operating the website. Donations can also be directed to Black's Beach Diggers for trail work. You decide if the newsletter, the website or the trail have made your visit better, and donate accordingly. 

Spring is here!
Finally the days are longer than the night and sunsets are in the northwest. Unfortunately it hasn't given us much warm weather yet.

The Beach in General:
There were many, warm and sunny days in March, even a few hot and sunny days. Often there are only dozens of people on the beach, but there have been hundreds of people on hot days. Water temperatures have climbed to 62.

We hardly lost much sand over the winter, but we will now regain that and maybe more. The highest tides will soak much of the beach, but will also bring that sand.

Future Events:
The time of year when Black's Beach Bares sponsors events is approaching. We will host picnics Memorial Day weekend and Sunday picnics July through September. They will all be contingent on good weather. Ice cream will be made on exceptionally hot Sundays. 

May 3	World Naked Gardening
May 25	Sunday Picnic