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San Diego: Black's Beach to Torrey Pines State Reserve

A steep, 330-foot cliff descent begins a 5-mile out-and-back along one of SoCal's last undeveloped coasts--which happens to include a famous nude beach.

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Trail Facts

  • Distance: 4.8

Waypoints

BBT001

Location: 32.8886451721191, -117.251106262207

Leave SW corner of dirt lot; switchback down cliff

BBT002

Location: 32.8877830505371, -117.252616882324

Steepest, slickest pitch of cliff trail, use rope railing for safety

BBT003

Location: 32.8877029418945, -117.252998352051

Reach sand, turn R, and head N along nudist beach

BBT004

Location: 32.8923988342285, -117.253791809082

Keep eyes on paragliders and hang gliders launching from cliffs above

BBT005

Location: 32.9140281677246, -117.258644104004

Large, rocky point where cliff meets ocean. At low tide, follow “keyhole” between rocks; during higher tides, follow trail near base of point

BBT006

Location: 32.9143104553223, -117.258476257324

Optional “Beach Trail” up to Torrey Pines State Reserve

BBT007

Location: 32.9254302978516, -117.259498596191

End of sandstone cliffs, return S along beach

BBT008

Location: 32.8960456848144, -117.253158569336

Steep, sketchy path known locally as the Ho Chi Minh Trail heads L up cliff for alternate route back to trailhead

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