Nearly every day, John Muir College senior Noah Ben’Aderet is up at sunrise and at the beach, checking tides, wind direction and ocean swells. Although he is a marine biology student, his routine study is not for educational purposes. Ben’Aderet’s research takes him to the ocean in hopes of catching a few waves before he starts the grind of organic chemistry.
Birds of paradise: Tanned bodies and seagulls alike share the popular beaches of La Jolla Shores.
“”If I had time, I’d go everyday,”” he said. “”I have friends that run to the beach every morning, no matter what, to surf before class.””
For many San Diego residents and college students like Ben’Aderet, the beach is not just an amusement but a way of life. Whether you are a pipe surfer, a frisbee enthusiast, or simply want to work on your tan, there is a beach for everybody.
Although La Jolla Shores is the closest beach to UCSD, there are many others worth exploring within a short distance. Heading north from UCSD, one might notice that the beaches become quieter and seem to attract more locals rather than large populations of tourists.
Traveling south of La Jolla, however, beaches like Pacific Beach and Mission Beach are crowded with hundreds of sightseers enjoying the San Diego weather and scenery.
But before setting off to explore the many different coastal environments that San Diego has to offer, be sure to take proper precautions to ensure your safety. To avoid post-beach trip exhaustion and pain, don’t forget sunblock (at least SPF 15), water and a light snack. Also, research the beach you plan to visit and check the tides and surf to make sure that the conditions suit your needs.
Blacks Beach
Torrey Pines City Beach, more commonly known as Blacks Beach, is well-known for two things: nudists and surfing. Although public nudism has been illegal in San Diego for many years, the exhibitionists still flock to Blacks Beach for extreme sunbathing. The cold weather will be a deterrent, but don’t be surprised to come across a naked visitor or two.
To surfers, Blacks is known as one of the best beach breaks in the country, if not the world. With large winter swells, surf enthusiasts are kept happy well into the cold seasons.
Many students appreciate Blacks Beach for its supreme surfing conditions.
“”Blacks is my fave cause it gets huge [waves]. It’s sick right now; the waves are firing. It’s always consistent, that’s why it’s the best,”” Muir senior and Surf Club member Barto Saari said.
The Scripps Underwater Canyon, which is just offshore, creates a variety of waves that range from two to 15 feet. During winter, a northwest swell produces huge waves and barrels large enough to drive a car through. For this reason, Blacks Beach is definitely not the place for the surfing novice.
“”Blacks is a sweet beach for watching the big boys surf,”” Revelle College sophomore Jill Bardakos said.
But even the most focused surfers can’t help but notice the sporadic nudity.
“”And of course who could forget about its notorious clothing optional section?”” Bardakos asked.
Getting to Blacks Beach, however, is an adventure in itself, requiring a long walk down a very steep road or a hike down a 300-foot cliff which can be accessed through the Gliderport. So if surfing or getting naked isn’t your goal, then skip the hike and head to La Jolla Shores.
La Jolla Shores and Scripps beaches
La Jolla Shores and Scripps beaches are next to each other and within walking distance of UCSD. With huge stretches of beach, tame waters, and close location to the cove, surfers and sunbathers all flock to them. La Jolla Shores is one of the most popular beaches in San Diego and, not surprisingly, a favorite among UCSD students.
“”Shores is my favorite beach. It is so close to campus and still hasn’t been commercialized,”” said Brandon Hays, an Eleanor Roosevelt College sophomore.
Students like the fact that it is a good place to escape and just relax.
The ocean is divided into surfing and swimming areas, marked by a black and yellow checkered flag in the sand near the lifeguard tower. Follow those rules or you will find yourself being yelled at by a megaphone-wielding lifeguard.
If you want to learn to surf, La Jolla Shores is the spot to do it. It has consistently small and gentle waves that are perfect for longboarding. There are many booths on the beach that will rent foam boards and even give lessons.
La Jolla Shores is also a prime boogie boarding spot, but wear a wetsuit if you plan on venturing into the water as the winter months approach. If you are strictly a land-lubber when the cold water comes around, take advantage of the open beach to play frisbee or volleyball.
“”We like to practice there because the beach is sunny and warm,”” said Muir senior Rachel Lateiner, who is also a member of the women’s Ultimate Frisbee team. “”But also the wind factor makes it great for practice. It’s harder to throw in the wind so it helps us get better.””
La Jolla Shores and Scripps beaches are great places to experience the red tide that has swept through the coast of southern California beaches recently. The red tide is a seasonal occurrence, though this year the red tide is exceptionally strong. Named for the red color that the ocean water becomes, this phenomenon is due to a sudden over population of phytoplankton or algae.
According to Peter Franks, a professor at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, the plankton glows a neon green when they jostle against each other in the waves. If you go to the beach at night you can see the glowing effect in large waves. The sand has traces of the phytoplankton as well, so that when you walk on the beach the ground glows under your feet.
Pacific Beach and Mission Beach
Pacific Beach and Mission Beach are great places to people-watch and socialize. On any given weekend Pacific Beach will be packed with large groups of mostly college-aged people.
“”PB (Pacific Beach) is my favorite beach,”” said Danielle Buchanan, a Revelle College sophomore. “”What better place to people watch than beautiful PB.””
This beach is the place to bring your sporting equipment. There are always many horseshoe pits set up and a makeshift football game often gets organized. A narrow walkway runs parallel to Pacific Beach and is usually packed with rollerbladers, skaters and walkers. The beach is lined with many funky shops, cafés and bars and the heart of Pacific Beach is just a few minutes away.
“”The beach in PB is right in front of Olaf’s Ice Cream Shack,”” Thurgood Marshall junior Mary Haines. “”It’s a good place to just hang out for the day.””
Beyond just relaxation, however, Pacific Beach is notorious for attracting college partying.
“”On any given Sunday afternoon in the summer, there will be at least two or three kegs and a bunch of horseshoe games, guaranteed,”” Haines said.
Mission Beach, adjacent to Pacific Beach, is a perfect beach for sunbathers, socializers and volleyball players. The more active beach goer, who doesn’t just want to sunbathe, should know that the southside of Mission Beach houses the historic Belmont Park, with the Giant Dipper roller coaster. Belmont Park, which opened in 1925, has a variety of games, attractions and food if its time for a beach break.
Del Mar
Del Mar, which is north of UCSD, is famous for its horse racing and great beaches, especially Torrey Pines State Beach. Torrey Pines is a long, wide beach, perfect for both sunbathers and surfers. Its great location and water conditions make it a favorite with students, tourists and locals alike.
“”Twenty-Fifth Street in Del Mar is a great beach,”” said Revelle sophomore Jose Esguerra. “”It is really local-oriented and the surf is great. Night time is really sweet; there’s always a bonfire and the red tide is awesome.””
The city of Del Mar, a quintessential sleepy beach town, is half a mile down the roadfrom Torrey Pines and is home to many cute cafés and shops.
Coronodo
Although Coronado’s beach is a further trek than most students have time to squeeze in between classes, it wasn’t put on the Travel Channel’s Top Ten Beaches in America list for nothing. If you are looking to do some exploration, make a day of this interesting community. To get to Coronado from Interstate 5, take the Coronado Bridge (now toll-free) over the bay to Coronado Island.
This penninsula, which isn’t really an island at all, is in the harbor of San Diego and features miles of wide, clean beaches, turn of the century mansions, and shopping. According to the San Diego Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the coastline faces due south here, and in the summer hurricane season when steep-angle south swells miss the rest of San Diego, and it is the place for surf.
Of note is the famous Hotel Del Coronado, the setting for the film “”Some Like It Hot.”” This grand hotel was built in 1888 and notable politicians and writers have visited. Take some time to wander the truly unique halls and grounds, since the hotel is truly unique. Some even claim it is haunted, so visit around Halloween for special ghost story events.
The beaches of San Diego offer endless variety for weekend activities or a quick getaway from the rigors of class. To find extended information about these and the many other beaches of San Diego county, visit the San Diego Convention and Visitor’s Bureau “”Beach and Sea Guide”” at http://www.sandiego.org/beaches.
