Surf: Also known as Torrey Pines City Beach, this is a famous, high-quality half-mile stretch of beachbreak, known for its consistency and power. Usually the biggest spot around. The La Jolla Submarine Canyon funnels swells directly into Blacks, which features three distinct spots: South Peak, a heavy, perfect left; Middle Peak, a two-way affair with the lefts usually being better, and North Peak, a brief but exciting righthand barrel. Blacks holds huge swells, but be prepared for lots of severe rip currents, sneaker sets, and long hold-downs. Very painful if you get caught inside. Gets very crowded. Directions: Located at the south end of Blackgold Road, off of La Jolla Farms Road. Environment: Located at the south end of Blackgold Road, off of La Jolla Farms Road. Nudist beach for those who wish to surf naked. Access is via a very steep and rocky pedestrian path down the bluffs (even the nudists wear shoes). Surf: General: This is the best beachbreak in the county, and everyone knows it. The saving grace here is the long hike due to the sheer cliffs. It requires a time commitment that rules out most before-the-job or lunch-break sessions. There are three main peaks, shifting phantom peaks and sneaky insiders that work according to conditions. A deepwater canyon attracts most any swell with west in it and holds waves from 2 feet to as big as it gets. During head-high and smaller swells, low to medium tides are best, but, during large swells, it's less tide sensitive. It should be obvious, by the glider port on the north end, that the dominant wind is onshore.

Black's has long been a celebrated nudist beach, existing in spite of a 1976 city-wide vote banning nudity here and at other city beaches. In fact, the nudies may be able to claim a more entrenched, if not longer, residence at Black's than surfers. But the obscene and surfing have come, over the years, to meld into the essential Black's experience. In an attempt to reign in the freewheeling nudists, the city imposed a "nude line," which is basically a line drawn in the sand and a couple of signs posted. The line is about 20 yards north of Black's North Peak and prohibits nudity south of it. Squeamish surfers can now use the gated road off of La Jolla Farms Road, which ends up at the South Peak, and avoid the nudists altogether. From the bluff above, on a clear day, you can see Catalina Island. Tides: low to mid Size: chest high to 3x overhead Wind: E, SE Swell: W, NW, SW (long period over 15 second) Bottom: Sand, offshore canyon Paddling: Plan to work, and wear a few solid sets on the head, when it's pumping. Spot Rating: Occasionally perfect, deepwater canyon created peaks. Access: Requires a long hike and a longer-than-average time commitment. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Often heavy. Local Vibe: Competitive. Environment: Typically clean but gets dicey after a rain. Hazards: Crumbling cliffs falling on the beach, getting caught in the impact zone of a 10-foot South Peak bomb, walking too far north past the "nude line." Season: Best November-February, but it works year-round.