Photo: California Beaches

Black's Beach: This secluded La Jolla beach has been a clothing-optional mecca for several decades.

Black's Beach: This secluded La Jolla beach has been a clothing-optional mecca for several decades.

Boneyard Beach: In Encinitas, about 25 miles north of San Diego, Boneyard is a fairly secluded beach located below a very steep cliff.

Boneyard Beach: In Encinitas, about 25 miles north of San Diego, Boneyard is a fairly secluded beach located below a very steep cliff.

Pirate's Cove Beach: This is a fairly protected beach in San Luis Obispo County.

Pirate's Cove Beach: This is a fairly protected beach in San Luis Obispo County.

San Onofre Beach in Gaviota State Park: This clothing optional beach in Santa Barbara County.

San Onofre Beach in Gaviota State Park: This clothing optional beach in Santa Barbara County.

More Mesa Beach: This beach is off Highway 101 north of Santa Barbara. Apparently, to keep the peace, nudists are encouraged to disrobe north of the trail but to leave the south of the trail area for the clothed crowd.

More Mesa Beach: This beach is off Highway 101 north of Santa Barbara. Apparently, to keep the peace, nudists are encouraged to disrobe north of the trail but to leave the south of the trail area for the

Vista Del Mar: This beach in Goleta is next to Gaviota State Park in Santa Barbara County.

Vista Del Mar: This beach in Goleta is next to Gaviota State Park in Santa Barbara County.

Garrapata State Beach: Just 6 miles south of Carmel, Garrapata is part of the Big Sur coastline. To find it, keep your eyes peeled because the park is marked with only one sign on Highway 1.

Garrapata State Beach: Just 6 miles south of Carmel, Garrapata is part of the Big Sur coastline. To find it, keep your eyes peeled because the park is marked with only one sign on Highway 1.

Fuller's Beach: This is a remote beach along the north Big Sur coast.

Fuller's Beach: This is a remote beach along the north Big Sur coast.

Carmel Meadows: This is part of Carmel River State Beach.

Carmel Meadows: This is part of Carmel River State Beach.

Crater Beach: In Monterey County's Sand City, The Crater is "wide, sandy and feels remote," according to California Beaches.

Crater Beach: In Monterey County's Sand City, The Crater is "wide, sandy and feels remote," according to California Beaches.

Indian Head Beach: This is a remote spot located between Fort Ord State Beach and Marina State Beach in Monterey County.

Indian Head Beach: This is a remote spot located between Fort Ord State Beach and Marina State Beach in Monterey County.

Privates Beach: A locked gate prevents just anyone from using this Santa Cruz beach which is popular with locals who surf or like to sunbathe naked. But the $100 cost to get a key has been controversial in recent years.

Privates Beach: A locked gate prevents just anyone from using this Santa Cruz beach which is popular with locals who surf or like to sunbathe naked. But the $100 cost to get a key has been controversial in

Laguna Creek:This remote beach is south of Davenport in Santa Cruz County and is part of the Coast Dairies State Park.

Laguna Creek:This remote beach is south of Davenport in Santa Cruz County and is part of the Coast Dairies State Park.

Bonny Doon State Beach: About 10 miles north of Santa Cruz, this is a small, secluded clothing optional beach.

Bonny Doon State Beach: About 10 miles north of Santa Cruz, this is a small, secluded clothing optional beach.

Davenport Cove: Also known as Shark Fin Cove, this beach is .7 miles south of Davenport. The actual Shark Fin rock formation off the shore is visible from Highway 1.

Davenport Cove: Also known as Shark Fin Cove, this beach is .7 miles south of Davenport. The actual Shark Fin rock formation off the shore is visible from Highway 1.

Four Mile Beach: The name comes from the four-mile drive it takes from downtown Santa Cruz north to the parking lot along Highway 1. The beach is part of Wilder Ranch State Park.

Four Mile Beach: The name comes from the four-mile drive it takes from downtown Santa Cruz north to the parking lot along Highway 1. The beach is part of Wilder Ranch State Park.

Panther Beach: According to one site, "day trippers, nude sunbathers, party kids even rock climbers" hold this secluded beach near Davenport in the highest esteem. But while beloved, it is rarely crowded.

Panther Beach: According to one site, "day trippers, nude sunbathers, party kids even rock climbers" hold this secluded beach near Davenport in the highest esteem. But while beloved, it is rarely crowded.

Hole in the Wall Beach: Located between Santa Cruz and Davenport, Hole in the Wall is backed by cliffs and accessible by walking south on Panther Beach.

Hole in the Wall Beach: Located between Santa Cruz and Davenport, Hole in the Wall is backed by cliffs and accessible by walking south on Panther Beach.

Gray Whale Cove: This state beach is located between Pacifica and Montara. It is also known as Devil's Slide.

Gray Whale Cove: This state beach is located between Pacifica and Montara. It is also known as Devil's Slide.

San Gregorio Private Beach: Located on private property just north of San Gregorio State Beach, this is considered to be the first nude beach in North America, according to California Beaches.

San Gregorio Private Beach: Located on private property just north of San Gregorio State Beach, this is considered to be the first nude beach in North America, according to California Beaches.

Land's End: It's a San Francisco beach known by most for its labyrinth but it is also a popular clothing-optional beach.

Land's End: It's a San Francisco beach known by most for its labyrinth but it is also a popular clothing-optional beach.

Baker Beach: One of San Francisco's most popular destinations for the clothed and un-clothed crowds. If this couple keeps walking, they'll run into the naked folks often found at the beach's north end.

Baker Beach: One of San Francisco's most popular destinations for the clothed and un-clothed crowds. If this couple keeps walking, they'll run into the naked folks often found at the beach's north end.

Marshall's Beach: It's a very relaxed clothing optional scene at this little beach tucked into the coast near the Golden Gate Bridge.

Marshall's Beach: It's a very relaxed clothing optional scene at this little beach tucked into the coast near the Golden Gate Bridge.

Black Sands Beach: This secluded clothing-optional stretch of sand in the Marin Headlands can feel like your own private getaway even though San Francisco is just across the way.

Black Sands Beach: This secluded clothing-optional stretch of sand in the Marin Headlands can feel like your own private getaway even though San Francisco is just across the way.

South Rodeo Beach: This is a secluded cove next to Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands.

South Rodeo Beach: This is a secluded cove next to Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands.

Muir Beach: The parking lot fills up quickly, but it is closer to S.F. than Stinson. And the northern part of the beach, seen here, is where the clothing optional scene is located.

Muir Beach: The parking lot fills up quickly, but it is closer to S.F. than Stinson. And the northern part of the beach, seen here, is where the clothing optional scene is located.

RCA Beach: North of Bolinas and on the Pt. Reyes peninsula, RCA is a longtime mecca for Marin nudists and surfers alike.

RCA Beach: North of Bolinas and on the Pt. Reyes peninsula, RCA is a longtime mecca for Marin nudists and surfers alike.

Sculptured Beach: This remote beach is in the southern portion of Point Reyes National Seashore. Reach it by walking south from Limantour Beach or going along the Coast Trail and heading down to the beach just past the Woodward Valley Trail.

Sculptured Beach: This remote beach is in the southern portion of Point Reyes National Seashore. Reach it by walking south from Limantour Beach or going along the Coast Trail and heading down to the beach just

College Cove: The other clothing optional spot in Humboldt County is in the town of Trinidad. Here are directions for getting there.

College Cove: The other clothing optional spot in Humboldt County is in the town of Trinidad. Here are directions for getting there.

Baker Beach: Do not confuse this with the one in San Francisco. This is in Humboldt County just south of the town of Trinidad. Here are directions on how to findit since there are no road markings.

Baker Beach: Do not confuse this with the one in San Francisco. This is in Humboldt County just south of the town of Trinidad. Here are directions on how to findit since there are no road markings.

Nude beaches on the California coast, from top to bottom(less)

You never know when the urge to head to the beach and rip off your clothes will strike. But if it does, it's good to have some idea of where to go.

Thankfully, in California you have options. There are dozens of clothing-optional beaches along our coast, many of which have been frequented by nudists for decades.

Above, we've collected 32 beaches for you to enjoy in the buff, beginning at the classic Black's Beach in La Jolla and ending in Trinidad (the town in Humboldt County, not the island in the Caribbean).

This is an ideal summer road trip, and one which will require very little packing. But, remember, if you follow these up Highway 1, there is that little roadblock before Big Sur you'll have to get around.

The legality of nude sunbathing varies throughout the state. While a 1972 California court case ruled that nude sunbathing is not indecent exposure, some counties have strict anti-nudity laws. As you will notice, there are no Los Angeles County beaches listed here.

If you visit only one area, Santa Cruz County is highly recommended for its sheer volume of nude beaches. And from there you can hit choice spots in Monterey County and northern Big Sur. The Bay Area is well-represented, but our weather is not always the most conducive to outdoor nudity.

Many thanks to CaliforniaBeaches.com which provided names of many of these spots, especially in Southern California, and some choice photos as well.

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Nude beaches on the California coast, from top to bottom(less) - SFGate