Blacks Beach – La Jolla
La Jolla, California (San Diego), United States
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: January–June
Blacks Beach lies below 100-metre sandstone cliffs between La Jolla and Torrey Pines. A deep submarine canyon just offshore funnels swell onto the sandbars, so waves here are often twice the size of those at neighbouring beaches. North-west swells in autumn and winter and south swells in summer both work, and easterly winds blow offshore in the mornings.
The waves are fast, thick and hollow, and the shorebreak and currents can be strong, so it suits experienced surfers. Access is down steep trails from the Torrey Pines Gliderport or by a long walk along the beach from La Jolla Shores; never climb the cliffs, which are unstable. There are few facilities at the beach, and part of it is unofficially clothing-optional.
Month by month at Blacks Beach – La Jolla
- January: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 15°C, air 18°C (nights 9°C), 27 sunny days, 7 rainy days
- February: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 15°C, air 18°C (nights 9°C), 25 sunny days, 7 rainy days
- March: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 16°C, air 18°C (nights 10°C), 27 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- April: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 17°C, air 19°C (nights 12°C), 28 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- May: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 29 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- June: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 20°C, air 22°C (nights 16°C), 28 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- July: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1 m, water 21°C, air 24°C (nights 18°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- August: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1 m, water 22°C, air 26°C (nights 19°C), 30 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- September: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1 m, water 22°C, air 26°C (nights 19°C), 28 sunny days, 4 rainy days
- October: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1 m, water 19°C, air 24°C (nights 15°C), 30 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- November: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1 m, water 17°C, air 21°C (nights 11°C), 28 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- December: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1 m, water 16°C, air 19°C (nights 9°C), 28 sunny days, 5 rainy days
When is the best time to go surfing at Blacks Beach – La Jolla?
January–June, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Blacks Beach – La Jolla?
15°C to 22°C over the year: a shorty or lycra in the warmest month, a 5/4 with boots in the coolest.
How windy is Blacks Beach – La Jolla?
About 7 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in March.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Blacks Beach – La Jolla
- San Diego – Mission Bay (13 km)
- Trestles – San Clemente (63 km)
- Huntington Beach (110 km)
- Malibu – Surfrider Beach (184 km)
More: All spots in United States · Surfing in United States
Compare with: Blacks Beach – La Jolla vs Trestles – San Clemente · Blacks Beach – La Jolla vs Huntington Beach