Black's Beach Bares

Newsletter Archive

2005 Extended!
December 31st will be longer than the typical day. Most days are 86,400 seconds long, this year December 31st will 86,401 seconds long, due to leap second. Most people are familiar with leap year, when an extra day is inserted 97 times in 400 years. Due to the slowing of Earth's rotation, it is also necessary to insert an extra second. This was last done in 1999. What this means to us is that the New Year's countdown this year will be 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 0.

Solstice and Perihelion:
This December 21st will be the winter solstice, meaning that the sun reaches its southern-most point in the sky. That will be at 10:31am. It also means that will be our shortest day, starting at 6:51am and ending with sunset at 4:44pm. There will be only 9 hours and 53 minutes of daylight. Although this marks the first day of winter, it also means the days begin to get longer.

Perihelion occurs January 4th between 4pm and 5pm. This means Earth is closest to the sun, about 91.5 million miles instead of the typical 93 million miles. The fact that perihelion occurs during our winter makes our winters short and mild.

The Beach in General:
There has been some rain in October. Much of the beach is covered in mud that has dried and curled. The seasonal loss of sand has begun. So far the loss is minor, but soon the only dry sand will be closer to the cliffs.

There have still been plenty of warm days, and dozens of people on the beach to appreciate it. A hundred or so people can still be found on sunny weekends.

Future Events:
This is the off-season for activities, but a few bold Bares engage in the New Years Day Dip. People living in colder parts of the country will scoff at us for making a big deal over a water temperature only a little below sixty degrees, while they have to break the ice for their swim. Should we be ashamed for being smarter? 

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides typically occur at about 9am and 9pm. These three months the highest tides occur in the morning, giving us a wet beach until afternoon. Once the tide takes away much of our sand, you may want to bring a chair, or tarp, just to keep dry and away from the cliff.

Keep in mind that the tides a few days before and after are comparably high and highest about 45 minutes later than the day before. 

Flies:
We are entering the time of year when the flies can become a bother. When there is a lot of seaweed and no wind, they don't leave us alone. On those days you will find seaweed covered with flies that swarm every time anybody comes near. The remedy is to move the seaweed far from yourself, and out of the path of by passers. It's also a good idea to use some kind of repellent.

Access and Parking: 
This year the Buick Invitational will be January 23-29. This always impacts our parking and slows traffic to a crawl. There will be no street parking. Attendants may try to bar access to the dirt lot. When you reach the front, tell them you are going to the beach and they will let you in. You should expect parking to be hard to find.

The trail suffered significant damage from recent storms, but it is still just as passable as ever. More rain is sure to change that, but given time, Black's Beach Digger will make repairs.

Boundary Markers:
Years ago lifeguards used to put up a sign and orange cones to inform visitors where nudity is prohibited. They stopped that and put up a yellow post with the letters TPCB (Torrey Pines City Beach). That post is now gone. There have been orange cones marking the boundary lately.

New visitors should make sure they know where the boundary is, to avoid a citation. That boundary is about 100 yards south of the Burro Trail. When coming down the Burro Trail, south is a left turn. There are "nudity prohibited" signs along the cliff, beginning at the boundary and continuing south. Check with locals, if you're unsure.

Bright Planets:
If you watch the evening sky, you will likely spot a bright "star" in the west after sunset. That is no star; it's Venus. With a telescope, Venus will look like a small crescent. Over the next few weeks that crescent will get bigger, but thinner, as Venus approaches Earth. However, it will set earlier each time.

Casual observers will also notice another bright "star" to the east at sunset. This one is orange and it's Mars. It will get higher through the night and the coming weeks.

Black's Beach Calendar:
The Bares are working on two 2006 calendars. One will feature sunset photos taken at Black's Beach. The other will highlight surfing at Black's Beach. Calendars will be $18 plus shipping. Those interested should monitor the website for availability.

Clothing Optional Oases:
Surviving the Rainy Season:
I'm providing a list of some of the other clothing optional opportunities in and around San Diego, for the benefit of readers who don't yet know. Consider them a backup plan for rainy days.

Camping Bares is a travel club that hosts back yard pool parties and potlucks monthly. They also hike and camp nude in surrounding public areas. The nudist resorts in the area include De Anza Springs and Swallows Sun Island. A little farther away are Glen Eden, Mystic Oaks and Olive Dell. 

Subscriptions and Donations:
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 more important.

Please consider making a donation anyway. There are monthly expenses for operating the website. Donations can also be directed to trail supplies and workers. You decide if the newsletter, the website or the trail have made your visit better, and donate accordingly.

Black's Beach Bares operates at a loss of a few hundred dollars every year, so all donations are appreciated.

Fall has arrived.
The summer season is over and so are the Sunday picnics. I personally lament that summer is over without a single successful swim to the reef. There is still plenty of warm weather, even though the shorter days come to an early end, with beautiful sunsets in the southwest. 

The Beach in General:
There were plenty of hot days in September, but not as hot, nor as many as is typical. We were even hit by a sprinkle of rain at the end of one day. Fortunately a heat wave hit us late in the month. The water temperature has ranged from about 67 to 70.

Crowds of a few thousand have dwindled to a few hundred on weekends and only a few dozen on weekdays.

We still have plenty of sand on a wide beach. Soon the rising tide will cut trenches in the beach and take much of the sand underwater, leaving us with a narrow beach.

Past Events:
Black's Beach Bares hosted four Sunday picnics and the Labor Day picnic. We shared a variety of food including salmon, sweet corn, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, turkey burgers and bratwurst. Popsicles were packed in dry ice and passed out to kids on three occasions.

Labor Day gave us one of the best green flashes ever. Some people were skeptical of the green flash until that sunset. Several Bares watched from the beach, then headed up the trail. Our last Sunday picnic also went out with a green flash.

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides typically occur at about 9am and 9pm. The highest tides are closely tied to the new and full moon and occur a little later each day. The tides a few days before and after are comparably high. With highest tides in the mornings this month, it means dry sand will be a little closer to the cliffs.

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. There are expenses to operate the website. 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 more important. Please consider making a donation anyway. 

Your Submissions Please:
Long-time readers may notice that many things are repeated month after month. Much of this will continue, as there is information that first-time visitors need to avoid injuries and legal problems.

You can help add variety to these newsletters by submitting an article of your own. A more creative description of the scenery would be very welcome.

Emergency Contact:
Calling 911 will not get you the fastest response. When placing a 911 call via cell phone, it goes to the highway patrol, then it's routed to San Diego Lifeguards. You will get a faster response by calling lifeguards directly (619-221-8800).

Describe the emergency, a cliff rescue, a water rescue... Tell them you are at Black's Beach. Try to describe where you are. We call it the Burro Trail or the Main Trail. They call it Citizen's Trail. The big landslide just north of the hang-glider take-off is called Windows.

Nude Boundaries:
Newcomers are unaware of boundaries, so it's a good idea to publish those once in a while.

If you walk south (turn left) from the Burro Trail, you will come to a yellow post with the letters TPCB (Torrey Pines City Beach). Lately it has also been marked with orange traffic cones. If you continue south from there, you must put some clothes on, or risk a fine. Beyond that point you will see signs stating that nudity is prohibited.

North from the Burro Trail (right turn) you can walk more than a mile before you have to get dressed. Mussel Rocks is the boundary. You can recognize it by the rocks sticking out of the wet sand. There are even crabs between the rocks. Beyond those rocks is an iron sign with raised letters stating "AREA CLOSED NUDITY PROHIBITED." If you reach this sign before getting dressed, you are risking arrest.

A map of the beach was included here, which can be seen in the Word 2000 version.

Nude Beach Etiquette

1) Respect the boundaries. The beach you save may be your own.
Don't go out of established nude areas. To wander nude into clothing compulsive territory may offend many, and puts the whole beach at risk. No overt sexual activity. Nude is not lewd, but combined with sex, it undermines our image and could cost us our freedom and enjoyment of the beach.

Summer Ending Soon:
Summer ends September 22 at 2:22pm, as the sun crosses the celestial equator into the southern sky. That day will be the equinox, meaning that night and day are each twelve hours long. Following that our days will be shorter than the nights, and the sun will set in the southwest. Take full advantage of summer while it lasts.

The Beach in General:
August gave us many warm days, though not as sunny as is typical. Red tide made a brief return. But lately, the days have been hot and sunny. The water has been clear and warm. The temperature was up to 75, but now it's down to 72. The beach has been wide and the sand clean.

Hundreds of people visit weekdays while thousands fill the beach on weekends. More people spend time in the water, since it's warmer.

Past Events:
The surf competition on August 13th went better than the first. Awards were given out for first ride, best ride, most improvement and best wipe out. T-shirts were given out as prizes.

Black's Beach Bares hosted Sunday picnics through August. Our presence at The Naturist Society (TNS) Gathering was very strong, hosting several workshops and participating in many others.

TNS visited Black's Beach August 21st. We led some on a reef swim. We shared our grill and made ice cream. They joined us in playing volleyball and horseshoes. Plenty of people used our body boards too. 

Future Events:
Black’s Beach Bares continues to sponsor Sunday picnics through September. The picnics come to an end, but we still visit weekdays and weekends. 

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. 

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides typically occur at about 9am and 9pm. As a result, we get a wide beach during the busy day and it gets narrower late in the afternoon. Don’t be caught off guard when it reaches your spot. Keys are very hard to find in the surf and towels are heavy when soaked by seawater.

The texture of the sand reveals the most recent high tide. Stay in the smooth sand and you will be beyond the rising tide. Keep in mind that the tides a few days before and after are comparably high. The highest tides are closely tied to the new and full moon.

Stingrays and Jellyfish:
There are stingrays in our water all year, even knee deep. Sting rays don’t attack people. They will even get out of your way, if they know you're coming. 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.

Jellyfish are seen washed up on the beach, so you should realize that there must also be some in the water. These animals are unable to see you and pursue you, especially near the shore. They are very much victims of water currents. If you see one in the water, note the direction the water takes them and keep out of the way. Even a dead piece of a jellyfish stings on contact.

If stung, don’t spread it by scratching. Untreated, the itch passes quickly. Lifeguards spray on vinegar, but it’s unclear that it actually helps. 

From Dave Cole: 
It has come to my attention that some people might not realize what a treasure we have here at Black's Beach. Those of us that have been coming to the beach for many years just assume that this is common knowledge.

For those that aren't aware of it, Black's is one of the largest clothing optional beaches in the US, as well as the world. It is also arguably the best-known clothing optional beach in the US. Almost everybody in the nudist world knows of our beach, whether or not they have ever been here. How fortunate for us to have this jewel in our own back yard.

Most clothing optional beaches are very small. The few that I have been to are only a couple hundred yards in length, while we have almost a mile and a half.

We may have a difficult access route, but I think it is well worth it. Just look at the hill as a form of exercise. For those who don't know it, the trail is maintained by volunteers, not the city. The materials used are bought with their own money and donations.
We're also fortunate to have San Diego's climate so we can use this wonderful beach year round. If you ever doubt how lucky we are, just pay attention to how many tourists are in the parking lot and looking over the cliffs, wishing they were down on the beach.

Take in all the beauty this beach has to offer. Watch for dolphins playing in the water. Sometimes you can spot a seal or sea lion popping their heads up. For those that stay late enough, the sunsets are priceless. Watch the cliffs before the sun sets to see how golden they look. At the top of the hill, go out to the edge and take in the view from the top. It's no wonder people come from all over the world to visit our little piece of paradise.

Don't take this beach for granted. Some people believe that it will always be here and that our clothing optional status is safe. At this time I don't know of any threat to us, but it could happen at any time. Land use battles and inappropriate behavior are our two biggest threats. Land use we can fight. Bad behavior can be prevented.

One of the best things that can be done to help preserve this beach is to join The Naturist Society (TNS), naturistsociety.com TNS is a national organization dedicated to preserving clothing optional public lands like ours. They can only do it with members. We have strength in numbers. It's time to be proactive in protecting your beach. If we wait until there is a threat, it will be too late. 

The Beach in General:
There were many great warm and sunny days in July. There were also many overcast and warm days. It even rained once, but just a sprinkle.

There have been perhaps a thousand people on sunny weekends. At least a hundred show up, even on overcast weekdays.

The water is clear and warm, with temperatures in the mid-seventies. But there have been wildlife problems. Lots of jellyfish have been seen in the surf lately. Hardly a day goes by without somebody getting stung by a ray.

Past Events:
We hosted five Sunday picnics in July. We have kept two grills going, due to high demand. Some of the foods included, zucchini, sweet corn, hamburgers, hot dogs, turkey burgers, chocolate bananas, chicken, pineapple, apple, carne asada, steaks, potatoes and salmon. July 4th we also had a picnic and made ice cream. It was banana with white chocolate.

We also hosted several volleyball games and a surf competition. It was our first surfing event, so we weren't very organized. Only two of the three competitions actually took place. I saw a list of winners, but they didn't seem to know they won. We have to look at it as a learning experience.

Future Events:
Black’s Beach Bares continues to organize Sunday picnics. We keep a hot grill going for general use. We take turns cooking our food and sharing. Be warned: If you sit near us, we will feed you. Please bring something unusual and share.

We will also offer volleyball, body boards, sand castle molds and organize swims to the reef. We will sponsor another surf competition but the time has changed to 1pm.

The Naturist Society Gathering:
The Naturist Society (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. With their continued help, you may find more clothing optional destinations closer to your home.

TNS organizes regional conventions every year, called gatherings. The purpose of these gatherings is to share information and organize. This year the Western Gathering is at De Anza Springs Resort, in Jacumba, August 18-21. Black's Beach Bares, Claudia, Dave and Lloyd will be giving presentations at the gathering and bringing participants to Black's Beach. Please try to visit De Anza for the gathering and/or meet them on the beach August 21st. 

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides typically occur at about 9am and 9pm. The tides a few days before and after are comparably high, and the highest tides are closely tied to the new and full moon.

As a result, we get a wide beach during the busy day and it gets narrower late in the afternoon. Don’t be caught off guard when it reaches your spot. 

Parking Lots:
The area of the lot nearest the glider port has been plagued by deep sand this year. Visitors who park there often have trouble getting out. Be careful not to stop when passing through this area.

High demand summer use has already resulted in a full west lot and people have been 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. 

Stingrays and Jellyfish:
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.

Jellyfish are seen washed up on the beach, but give some thought to the fact that there must also be some in the water. These animals are unable to see you and pursue you, especially near the shore. They are very much victims of water currents. If you see one in the water, note the direction the water takes them and keep out of the way. Even a dead piece of a jellyfish stings on contact.

If stung, don’t spread it by scratching. Untreated, the itch passes quickly. Lifeguards spray on vinegar, but it’s unclear that it actually helps. Rinsing with seawater may be just as effective. 

Avoiding Sunburn:
The mid-day summer sun is too high and intense for tanning. You will more likely get sunburned in the morning without realizing it. Then, if you continue sunbathing in the afternoon, your sunburn will just get worse. The better way to get your all over tan is to stay in the shade until about 2:30, then tan in the afternoon sun. There is plenty of ultraviolet in the afternoon sun for a tan.

Romantic Sights in the Sky:
Venus is bright enough to see in broad daylight, if you know where to look. Venus and the moon will be very close the evening of August 7th. The crescent moon is a good guide, so try to enjoy the view late that afternoon. They will be about twice the diameter of the moon apart, with Venus above and to the left. They will get even closer after they go below the horizon, but that's a sight for people living further west.

With a sharp horizon and a clear sky, it should be possible to see the green flash following sunset. Once the sun gets low 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.

The Beach in General:
The first half of June was the typical June gloom, but the second half consisted of many hot and sunny days. July has started with our typical hot and sunny weather.

Hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of people have been visiting the beach lately. The red tide has scared some from getting in the water.

We have regained our summer sand, giving us a wide beach most of the day. That sand is often too hot for bare feet.

Future Events:
Black’s Beach Bares hosts Sunday picnics July through September, and a few holidays too. This year we are sponsoring surf competitions, surfing, body surfing and body boarding. 

Past Events:
We started the summer season with picnics July 3rd and 4th. We had grills going both days. Some of the hot food included various chicken recipes, hot dogs, hamburgers, shish kabobs, zucchini, salmon, bratwurst, sweet corn and potatoes. We made ice cream July 4th, banana with white chocolate chips. 

The Naturist Society Gathering:
The Naturist Society (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.

TNS organizes regional conventions every year, called gatherings. The purpose of these gatherings is to share information and organize. This year the Western Gathering is at De Anza Springs Resort, in Jacumba, August 18-21. Black's Beach Bares, Claudia, Dave and Lloyd will be giving presentations at the gathering and bringing participants to Black's Beach. Please try to visit De Anza for the gathering and/or meet them on the beach August 21st. 

Red Tide:
The water has taken on a reddish-brown color for the last few weeks. The explosive reproduction of dinofagellates, a type of plankton, cause red tide. The dinoflagellates here in San Diego are harmless to people and bioluminescent, meaning that they glow when shaken. I watched fireworks from the cliffs, but also watched the blue glow of waves below. Splashing or even hitting wet sand produced a blue glow. Red tide should be dissipating about now.

Stingrays and Jellyfish:
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.

Jellyfish are seen washed up on the beach, but you should give some thought to the fact that there must also be some in the water. These animals are unable to see you and pursue you, especially near the shore. They are very much victims of water currents. If you see one in the water, note the direction the water takes them and keep out of the way. Even a dead piece of a jellyfish stings on contact.

If stung, don’t spread it by scratching. Untreated, the itch passes quickly. Lifeguards spray on rubbing alcohol, but it’s unclear that it actually helps. Rinsing with seawater may be just as effective. 

Parking and Access:
The area of the lot nearest the glider port has been plagued by deep sand this year. Visitors who park there often have trouble getting out. 

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.

Gay Pride celebrations in Balboa Park will run from July 29-31 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.

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides typically occur at about 9am and 9pm. As a result, we get a wide beach during the busy day and it gets narrower late in the afternoon. Don’t be caught off guard when it reaches your spot. Keys are very hard to find in the surf and towels are heavy when soaked by seawater.

Keep in mind that the tides a few days before and after are comparably high, but a little earlier. 

Avoiding Sunburn:
Summer also means it’s easier to get a sunburn. Visitors to Black’s Beach often want to get that all over tan in the few days they are here. Usually what they get is an all over sunburn. Using sun-block is a good idea, but you should also use some shade. 

The mid-day summer sun is higher and too intense for tanning. You may even get sunburned in the morning and not realize it. Then, if you resume sunbathing in the afternoon, your sunburn will get worse. The better way to get your all over tan is to stay in the shade until about 2:30, then tan in the afternoon sun. There is plenty of ultraviolet in the afternoon sun for a tan.

Other Supported Activities:
Black's Beach Bares facilitates other activities by providing equipment. We have volleyball, body boards, Frisbees, and sand castle molds. All of these are available for general use.

We often swim to the reef, about ½ km from shore and 10 meters down. These expeditions will begin soon, as red tide dissipates. Ask for guides and swimming buddies near our flag.

The Beach in General:
There were many hot and sunny days in May, especially early in the month.  We have regained enough sand to make it a wide beach again and the sand is often too hot for bare feet.  The water has already warmed up to 68°F.

Hundreds, perhaps even a thousand people have been taking advantage of sunny weekends.  Dozens still show up hoping the day will turn from gloomy to sunny, even on weekdays.

Past Events:
The picnic season has begun, with perhaps as many as a hundred people in attendance.  Black’s Beach Bares sponsored picnics May 29 and 30.  Neither day was warm enough for ice cream making, but we did have two grills going each day.  Some of the hot food from the grill included, salmon, hot dogs, sausages, hamburgers, Portobello mushrooms, sweet corn, steaks and a variety of chicken recipes.  People also shared fruit and pasta dishes.

Black’s Beach Bares provided horseshoes, volleyball, sand castle molds and body boards.  Horseshoes and volleyball were especially popular.

Future Events:
There are no picnics scheduled in June, due to the typically bad weather.  This year they will all be contingent on good weather.  Ice cream will be made on exceptionally hot Sundays.

Black’s Beach Bares will sponsor surfing competitions this year, July 9 and August 13.  There will be body surfing, body boarding and surfing.  For more information contact Geoff at geoff@bleugroove.com, or check the website.

National Nude Recreation Week:
There are some outspoken people who think we should be so thankful for our freedom that we not use it.  These people would restrict nudity to clubs.  Perhaps that wouldn’t be enough.  Maybe they would push further, restricting it to isolated yards or even indoors.  Use your rights or risk loosing them.

The Naturist Society (TNS) has been instrumental in preserving nude recreation at Black’s Beach, and Black’s Beach Bares continues to work with TNS.  Please join with us to ensure that there is always room on public land for nude recreation.

National Nude Recreation Week is July 4-10 this year.  Look for our yellow flag for more information.

Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours.  The highest tides typically occur at about 9am and 9pm.  As a result, we get a wide beach during the busy day and it gets narrower late in the afternoon.  Don’t be caught off guard when it reaches your spot.

Keys are very hard to find in the surf and towels are heavy when soaked by seawater.  Notice the very high tide of June 22 and keep in mind that the tides a few days before and after are comparably high.