Black’s Beach
La Jolla / San Diego, CA | USA
Black’s Beach, tucked just below La Jolla near San Diego, offers one of the most dramatic coastlines I’ve encountered. Sheer cliffs rise straight from the sand, and on windy days paragliders peel off the bluffs, floating down in long, unhurried arcs. Their elegance is a quiet counterpoint to the descent you’re about to make.
Getting down is manageable, but it demands attention. Each step carries a flicker of adrenaline, the kind that sharpens your senses and makes arrival feel earned. When you finally reach the beach, the reward is immediate. Above the sand, the trails double as both hunting ground and hike, offering moments of beauty between moments of possibility. Pause when the breeze shifts. The air fills with California sagebrush and the resinous scent of the park’s namesake Torrey pine. It’s sensory, subtle, and unmistakably San Diego.
In this guide
The Essentials | The Beach | Shopping & Activities | Drink | Eat | Places to Stay
The essentials
Get In
You’ll fly into San Diego International Airport (SAN), which sits almost comically close to the city. Downtown is minutes away, and the drive north to Torrey Pines, home to Black’s Beach, is straightforward and scenic. It’s one of those rare airports that makes a short, spontaneous weekend feel genuinely easy. You can touch down and proceed directly to the coast.
Get Around
Rideshare is plentiful and relatively affordable here, with Uber and Lyft pricing tending to under-index compared to other major cities. That said, a rental car buys you flexibility and freedom. Having your own wheels makes it easier to move between beach, canyon, and cocktail without overthinking logistics.
Packing
Pack as you would for any beach-forward escape: sun protection, layers for cooler evenings, and a healthy respect for the Pacific. One important note: the trails down to Black’s Beach can be steep and occasionally slippery. Footwear with real grip is strongly recommended. An old pair of tennis shoes or sturdy sandals with thick soles like Chacos or Tevas will serve you well.
Black’s Beach
Technically tucked into La Jolla, Black’s Beach functions as San Diego’s gay beach in both practice and spirit. Backed by the campus of UC San Diego, the shoreline unfurls beneath dramatic cliffs that feel equal parts invitation and warning.
Most arrivals begin near the glideport, where a narrow path tips downward. The descent focuses the mind. Then the trail releases you onto the sand and the coast opens up, rugged and wide. You’ve made it to Black’s Beach. Take a breath. You’ve earned it.
Access
Black’s Beach sits about 25 minutes north of downtown San Diego. Once you arrive at Torrey Pines State Park, you’ll find a few ways down, but one dominates.
Torrey Pines Gliderport Trail
By far the most popular route, this unofficial trail drops you closest to the action. It’s also the steepest and most exposed. To find it, head to Torrey Pines Gliderport, turn right as you enter the parking lot, and keep driving north to the far end. From there, you’ll see a break in the railing to access the path.
Google Maps coordinates to the entrance
Practicalities
The descent can be steep, sandy, and occasionally slippery. Footwear with real grip is strongly recommended. An old pair of tennis shoes or sturdy sandals with thick soles like Chacos or Tevas will serve you far better than anything thin or slick. Take your time.
Cruising
You may catch some light action along the sand, but the real scene lives at “The Bluff”. Look for a trail leading up into a lightly wooded area above the beach. If you’re unsure you’re in the right place, watch for someone casually posted near the entrance – a harbinger for the trail ahead.
Once you climb the initial rise, the trail unfolds mostly out-and-back, with a few side shoots for the curious.
Alternatively, just to the right of the trail’s entrance, a small grove of bamboo offers a more compact zone. The action here tends to be fleeting and opportunistic vs the intention on the trail.
Shopping & Activities
TK
TK
TK TK
TK
TK TK
TK
TK TK
Eat
Breakfast
Espiritu Verde de Zipolite: A vegetarian favorite with excellent fresh juices, ideal for rehydrating and recalibrating after the night before.
El Alquimista: A longtime traveler haunt, especially prized for its beachfront tables. Mornings here have a habit of stretching into afternoons as you linger with a good book, another coffee, and the sound of the waves doing their thing.
Lunch
Lupita’s Comedor: Tlayudas, often called “Oaxacan pizza,” are the star. Stringy queso Oaxaca and your choice of protein melt inside a thin, crunchy tortilla. Go ahead and spoon on heaps of house-made salsa. Divine.
Lunch is also an excellent opportunity to spend toward the minimum at a resort day pass.
Dinner
Mau Mao: Recommended by Stephen in Chicago and beloved by all those in the know. Authentic Thai food that feels unexpectedly perfect after a sun-drenched day by the sea.
La Fenice: Surprisingly authentic Neapolitan pizza, likely helped by the fact that the family hails from Italy. Crisp crusts, balanced toppings, and a tiramisu to cap it all off. Leave room.
Drink
Zipolite’s liquid landscape is as wild and unselfconscious as the beach itself. From nudist pool parties to mezcal served with a wink, there’s a sip for every mood.
Chizme
There’s a cheeky sign outside that says today’s dress is no clothes, but spoiler alert: there’s never clothes. The bartenders are friendly, even if the drinks are a bit weak. A naughty room in the back serves as both a back room and a sort of fun house with mirrors for walls. The perfect place to mingle in the front and question your life choices as you watch yourself from all angles in the back.
Casa Nudista
A spot where being in the buff is de riguer. This is a great place to relax with a Paloma in hand. Or dance in the pool, depending on the day; they’re known for their Saturday pool parties from 2 – 8 pm.
Mezcal Gota y Gota
This place feels like a spot where friends hang out. And they do. A chalkboard behind the bartender shows the mezcals on pour for the day. Each arrives with a slice of pomelo dusted in sal de chapulin, a savory grasshopper chile salt. Enjoy it as a palate cleanser between each sip.
Stay
Zipolite offers accommodations across a wide range of budgets and comfort levels. On the lower end, expect simpler setups: rustic rooms, spotty Wi-Fi, and the occasional cold shower. Air conditioning and consistent hot water aren’t always guaranteed, and that’s often part of the trade-off.
The options highlighted here are among the nicest Zipolite has to offer and provide reliable Wi-Fi, on-site dining, air conditioning, and hot water.
Hotel Naked
Arguably the most luxe option available – especially if you book one of their oceanfront rooms with a bathtub on the veranda. Think of it as a personal infinity pool – except you’re naked in bubbles. Indulgent. Worth it.
Even if you’re not staying here, you can grab a chair at the beach or by the pool. You’ll be on the hook for a 300 peso cover charge (as of Nov. 2025) – 100% of which can be applied toward food and beverage. I went for a poolside mezcalita and ceviche.
Casa Nudista
Recommend by Jeremy in North Carolina
A gay resort that describes itself as “straight friendly”. Nudity is required here 100% of the time. This is where to stay if you want to be a stone throw’s away from the weekend’s pool party or around the corner from Chizme. For the more adventurous, there’s also the option of getting a bunk in a shared room.
Pool passes are also available here for a nominal cover charge that goes toward and food and drink you order.
El Alquimista
Recommended by Pablo from Monterrey
The furthest from Play del Amor, this hotel offers a secluded and scenic beachfront. Some of their bungalows are nestled right on the beach for added convenience.
This is also an excellent spot to grab breakfast. I spent the day here reading and ordering beverages while I listened to the waves.
Within the same vicinity, you’ll also find an outpost for Casa Mexoni as well as Masaje en Shambala.