STRATEGIC BEACHHEAD LOST

San Diego voters turned out in near record numbers September 20, 1977 to rescind the city's 1974 ordinance permitting nude bathing on Black's Beach. The final count showed 86,113 (54.85%) in favor of rescinding the controversial ordinance and 70,884 (45.15%) against the move. Foes of nude bathing had warned “promiscuity” and even crime! at Black's Beach, and that apparently helped bolster the 55 percent of the voters who called for the ban on nudity, although police said the beach was the scene of fewer arrests than other beaches. Many of the beach's nude frequenters, including Nude Beaches Committee chairman Robert Jacobs, vowed to continue their fight to regain the right for nudist freedom.

On October 5, 1977 the City Council voted 8-1 to rescind the “swimsuit optional” zone, that had been approved in the summer of 1974. The ban was effective immediately. The lone dissenter in the 8-1 vote was Councilwoman Maureen O’Connor, a devout Catholic, who opposed the ban on nudity by supporting that nude bathing was widespread at European beaches. A practical politician, indeed!

Enforcement of the new ban by giving out citations began on November 6 with poor results. Nudity, even illegal, has had a long tradition at Black's Beach.

The beach has enjoyed great popularity among nude bathers and has attracted hundreds of visitors to date.

In the mid-1980's regulars established the Black's Beach Bares and issued a monthly newsletter under the late Al Spencer's guidance witty pen, now taken over by Lloyd Johnson, held various events and took care of the environmental issues. Surfers, gliders, bird watchers, frisbee and volleyball players, body painters, artists to mention a few have frequented the beach.

Freebeachers have enjoyed nude sunbathing in spite of the ban and the signs at the entrance of the trails.

(Sources: The Bulletin, Bare in Mind & Beachhead, 1977-80)