Nude Beach Blog

California DPR Ranger Spying on Nude Beachgoers

This video has to do with the California Department of Parks & Recreation and their law enforcement tactics on nude sunbathers at San Onofre State Park in California and Camp Pendleton Marine Base. This is just the first couple minutes of a 10 minute video on the subject. We decided to only share the full video with local beach goers of the beach. If you are a supporter of the beach, and a true naturist, you can email sanonofree@aol.com to request to see the full video. If you have never been to the beach or you are not a naturist/nudist, PLEASE DO NOT ask to see the video. Thanks. (You will need a youtube account to accept the invitation to view the full video). MORE INFO: The State is trying to shut down the clothing-optional beach at San Onofre State Park that has been there for over 30 years. There is a lot of misinformation from the Parks Dept. on the issue of lewd behavior at the beach. I'm posting this story/video for two reasons. (1) To demonstrate the illegal, perhaps desperate tactics of the state park rangers and (2) To show that the majority of lewd behavior happens on the Marine beach and that it truly needs to be cleaned up to change the reputation of the traditional clothing optional beach on the state park side of San Onofre State Beach. I was on the beach just about 50 feet south of the federal fence on the Marine base side of the beach (which has nothing to do with the clothing-optional beach on the state park) when a guy came up to me and said there was a person voyeuring on the cliff with binoculars and a camera that had a huge lens snapping photos and or video about 300 feet south of the State Park boundary. The man was definitely on the Marine base up on the cliff over looking nude sunbathers. I looked up and it was definitely a ranger. I discreetly grabbed my video camera and hid it until the right moment and then zoomed in on him. He saw me with the camera quickly, but I was able to get him on tape briefly. He ducked away from my view once he saw me with the camera. The video shows the ranger looking at people through binoculars and he appeared to have a camera as well. Approximately 7 minutes later, the ranger came hauling ass down to the Marine beach in his state park ranger truck to apparently try to bust someone for masturbating on the beach (on the Marine side of the beach). The ranger did not cite the man because state park rangers have no legal jurisdiction on federal land, aka Camp Pendleton Marine Base. Here's the problem with all of this. First and foremost, there is a known ongoing lewd behavior problem south of the Marine fence on the Camp Pendleton part of the beach which is reflecting a bad image onto the state park clothing-optional beach. I spoke with a Marine the other day and he said the general consensus of the Marines is that they really don't care what happens on their part of the beach. Used to be the Marines would sweep their side of the beach here and there to get the civilians back onto the state park side. Personally, I have not seen or heard of that happening this past summer. I spoke with Allen Baylis from friendsofsanonofre.org about this incident shortly after it happened. Allen informed me that the California Department of Parks and Recreation has been trying to get the Marines to allow state park rangers to have legal jurisdiction on a portion of the Marine base to help curb the lewd acts that occur on that part of the beach. My understanding is he would support such a policy, to help with the image of the traditional clothing optional beach. I thought about it, and maybe it would be a good idea. I mean if the Marines are not going to do anything about it, than why not the rangers. However, I am not okay with state park rangers up on the cliffs peeping down at people sunbathing in the nude and taking pictures and / or video of them. Something about that is spooky and just seems illegal to me. The traditional clothing optional beach is a relaxing and safe place for families and good natured people of all walks of life to come and enjoy. The Marine base, again, is the main source of the lewd behavior problem and has nothing to do with the traditional clothing-optional beach at San Onofre. As long as you do not cross the Marine base boundary, you should not have any problems.

San Onofre Trail 6, the Media & the Naked Truth

I ran into a lady at San Onofre State Beach the other day that blamed the Internet and media for some of the problems at the beach and too many umbrellas in the sand on the weekends. Though I'm sure the increase of population has brought some undesirables to the beach, to try to keep the beach to ourselves is not fair either. 

The experience and freedom of naturism should be available to all who seek it, even if their motives are not pure at first. A clothing-optional beach is often the first experience many people will have being naked outdoors, outside of their own backyard, which turns out is illegal in many California cities I hear (surprise).

My first experience was Black's Beach and I am thankful that someone told me about it when I was ready. I remember how concerned I was that I might get happy pants in front of a bunch of strangers.. but it only took until the end of the day to feel completely comfortable enough to walk down the beach with just my skin and drop the inhibitions and concerns.

Of course these days, I'll spend for the extra gas and drive the extra 25 minutes for San O and buy the yearly pass. Why? In spite of the scary nuclear power plant, I feel San O is more energetically pure. It feels like it could be any point in history down there. I would not be completely shocked to see something prehistoric come out of the water someday there. It's that kind of place. I'd still go even if I could not shed my second skin. In fact, I don't always go al naturel. I have enjoyed the nature at the other trails at San Onofre State Beach just as much.
It's true the Internet and media hype have probably brought some newbies to the beach and with that, you will get people that do act appropriately and those that do not. Those that do not act appropriately hopefully will be promptly educated by one of the regulars at the beach that knows the etiquette speech and is not afraid to speak up. It may be inconvenient for awhile, but my view is the more the better at the beach. There's safety in numbers. The right numbers that is. 

Just because a single guy might come to the beach and park themselves too close to a female or do something that naturists would view as inappropriate, does not mean we should quickly kick them off the beach. Some do not know any better. But for those that do, zero tolerance is appropriate I believe. 

In a perfect world, we would not be so uptight about many things that people, on a whole, generally are in our culture. I believe sex in nature is a natural, beautiful and even spiritual experience, but I would not partake in an open public place like some choose to do. And I strongly discourage it in a public place like San O or Blacks. There's a time and a place for everything. Well, maybe not everything, but you get my driftwood.

I believe the main things that keep people from exploring naturism is self image (not just the body image) as well as the misunderstanding that being naked must  always be about sex. Though, there is no getting away from the fact that we are sexual beings. It's a choice that one makes to live within the construct of a culture or group. In some countries, some of the things that happen south of the fence could seem just as acceptable as naturism. There is a fine line there and I believe that's why it gets crossed so often. Again, it's a choice not to cross that line to keep the freedom we enjoy to simply be nude at the beach. Which is a great freedom that I am grateful for.

Back to the Media and Internet in closing, I for one am happy about all the press the beach has received for the most part. And I hope the videos some of you helped me create, will inspire the right people to help uncover the freedom we have. It is a gift, truly. And for those that do not completely "get it" at first, it's our responsibility to help educate them.  

The Naughty Side of San O Trail 6

The majority of naughty conduct that happens at San Onofre State Beach at Trail 6 is happening on the Marine base, in the parking lot and perhaps on some back trails. As far as what I have seen with my own eyes, I have only witnessed people on the Marine base doing "stuff". And it's not just gay men. I've seen single men and male/female couples enjoying mother nature a little too much. Closing the traditional clothing-optional beach will not help those areas where the majority of naughty behavior occurs. To be fair, I have seen a couple of naughty incidents in the many years I have gone to the traditional clothing-optional beach at Trail 6 on the state park side. They were more "R" than "X " for sure. The "X" stuff rarely, if ever, happens on the state beach from what I have heard. At least during daylight hours. All beaches have naughty visitors at night, nude or not.

We are talking about two separate beaches here where people go nude at San O. The media and the park seems to group them together as one when talking about the "bad stuff" that happens at San Onofre State Beach. Regardless if the state park clothing-optional beach stays or goes, three primary actions need to happen for the problems to decrease or go away.: (1) The state park rangers need to step up patrols in the parking lot and perhaps the smaller trails around the state park. It would not hurt if they cruised the beach occasionally too. The lifeguards are pretty much the only ones you see on the clothing-optional beach and probably not often enough. (2) The Marines need to step up patrols / sweeps on their side of the fence. Especially the known areas where the gay action happens. The Marines know it's there, though they look the other way most of the time.

(3) The state park needs to erect signage at the boundary of where the clothing-optional beach starts to warn people they are entering a clothing-optional zone. Thus, beachgoers can opt to turn around if they are offended by people sporting their birthday suits.

I know it will never happen, but I'd like to see the Marines move their federal fence about a half mile south giving the real clothing-optional beach some extra leg room and then the feds should build a real fence that even a squirrel would have a hard time getting through. The current fence is a joke and apparently it is a more recent fence. You would think the Marines or Government could build a better fence if they really wanted to keep more than squirrels out. Not everyone that ventures south of the federal fence is doing so to be naughty. That part of the beach is actually a lot nicer. The majority of people go there for that reason. People also go there to just be alone, without any devious intent. Though, I myself enjoy the nature and peace south of the fence more at times, the traditional clothing-optional beach is far more important and at this point and it's always been the legally recognized clothing-optional beach. It's not legal for any civilian to be on the Marine base, naked or not. Civilians are getting away with it because the Marines don't seem to care what goes on there at the current moment. Occasionally, the Marines will "sweep" the nude and clothed civilians off their side back onto the state side. The sign on the fence is actually a lot scarier than the current enforcement behind it. One of the things I like about the traditional clothing-optional beach is the sense of family there. If you frequent enough times, you will probably find a group you click with. It's easier for male/female couples and women then single guys to fit in right away. Unfortunately, single guys are often suspect until they have been there enough for the locals to register where they are on the perv meter. The best thing that could happen to change the image of the real clothing-optional beach is if the Marines got serious about enforcing their boundary at Trail 6 and the rangers hang in the trail 6 parking lot more to deter the gay action there, which I have heard of but not personally witnessed. I truly see no reason why the traditional clothing-optional beach should be closed down after more than 30 years of being there. I've even interviewed people on the clothed beach at Trail 6 and 5. Only one person out of about 20 thus far had a problem with it being there. The only reason she did was that she walked up on it without knowing it was there. Again, signage people! It works at other clothing-optional beaches. It will work at San Onofre Trail 6 too. http://www.trail6.org http://www.youtube.com/nudebeaches

Nude Beach Etiquette (comedy)

Sometimes we get all so serious about the naturist / nudism lifestyle. Though it is important to produce a good image to the world, it's also good to laugh about it. With that said.. a bit of the ol' belly laugh coming your way. enjoy..

 

Appropriate behavior at clothing optional beaches

 
                                                               from friendsofsanonofre.org

       
• DON'T GO OUT OF ESTABLISHED NUDE AREAS or wander nude onto a clothed beach or parking lot. Our ability to use the beach nude depends on our staying within the traditional Clothing Optional area. Nudity is only tolerated at San Onofre State Beach south of the wash located about 300 yards south of Lifeguard tower 6.
  
       
• NO OVERT SEXUAL ACTIVITY. NUDE IS NOT LEWD
            However, sexual conduct in any public place is illegal and will not be tolerated at San Onofre State Beach.   
           
• DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH PEOPLE without their permission. No one wants to end up in a stranger's photo album, and certainly not on the Internet. Hidden cameras are especially objectionable. NEVER photograph children without first asking their parents for permission.
           
• RESPECT OTHERS' PRIVACY. Many are at the beach for quiet and relaxing time. Gawkers and pickup artists are not welcome.
           
• If a person seems unaware of beach etiquette, explain it, kindly and  plainly. Their objectionable or ILLEGAL behavior can cost us this beach. It may be helpful to enlist the support of others when confronting these individuals.
      

Nude Beach Under Attack! (Save Trail 6)

San Onofre Beach at Trail 6 has been a clothing-optional haven for nature lovers for over 30 years. Now the the California State Park System is planning on taking away this small stretch of clothing-optional paradise unless we all speak-up!

On May 19th 2008, Ruth Coleman, Director of California Department of Parks and Recreation had issued an order revoking the longstanding "Cahill Policy" as it applies to the San Onofre trail 6 area, effective Sept. 2, 2008. The day after labor day.

Allen Baylis, an attorney, said the naturists have a right to be nude at Trail 6 because of the Cahill Policy, written in 1979. The rule states that "enforcement of nude sunbathing regulations within the state park system shall be made only upon the complaint of a private citizen. Citations or arrests shall be made only after attempts are made to elicit voluntary compliance with the regulations."

Please see www.friendsofsanonofre.org and www.sanonofree.org for more info and to learn what you can do to help save the beach! Also see what other's are saying here: san onofe nude beach blog

If you have not done so already, please write or email DPR Director Coleman at:
Director Ruth Coleman
Dept. of Parks and Recreation
1416 Ninth Street,
Sacramento, CA 95816
E-MAIL: director@parks.ca.gov
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE TELEPHONE: (916) 653-8380
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE FAX: (916) 657-3903

and

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Phone: 916-445-2841

State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail link on site at: www.sanonofree.org

We are looking for people to interview for our next video about the San Onofre State Beach nudity ban. Please email namastemedia@aol.com We are doing the interviews online via skype video conferencing and in person at the beach.