If you’ve never been to a nude beach before, you may be concerned about what behavior is acceptable and what is not. Here are some nude beach etiquette guidelines that can help you feel more at ease:
Social interaction on a nude beach
Gaping is impolite. In fact, it is considered rude in the US, no matter where you are, and no matter how the other person is dressed (or not). Nudism is a lifestyle that encompasses the human body in all its forms. For people on a nude beach, it is not a peep show. If you are looking for excitement, go elsewhere.
Ask for people’s consent before taking your picture. This is true no matter where you are, but especially if they are naked.
Be friendly, but respect the privacy rights of others . Many people simply like to enjoy being naked in nature and do not want to be disturbed. Unwanted or unwanted advances are not acceptable anywhere, and especially on a nude beach.
What to do when you get to the beach
Get ready for the beach . Nude beaches rarely have amenities. Unless you know otherwise, bring water, food, towel, sunscreen, and whatever else you need. Sunscreen is especially important for those parts of the body that don’t normally get a lot of sunlight, and you may be glad you brought bug spray to keep those biting bugs off your sensitive parts. A towel can be useful for many reasons, as any reader of The Restaurant at the End of the Universe knows, but mainly to prevent sand from getting into places you don’t want.
If you sunbathe naked in a secluded area , leave a bathing suit on a nearby rock. That is a signal for others to know that they are approaching a naked person. If you feel uncomfortable having your suit too far out of reach, bring a replacement.
On an open beach , stand out in the open. You can see people coming and put something on before they arrive if necessary.
If this is your first time getting naked in public, look for your regulars . An easy way to spot them is that they don’t have tan lines. Nudists are a generally friendly bunch of people and they will not only give you space, but will answer your questions and lend you a bottle opener if you need one.
On a windy day, take something to block the wind . Whether you are dressed or not, you don’t want to get sandwiched. Coolers and umbrellas work well for that and some of California’s nude beaches have spots between the dunes or in small coves that block the wind.
Avoid awkward encounters
Awkward social encounters are awkward anywhere, but on a clothing-optional beach, they can end up contributing to the beach’s closure.
Expect to see a lot of body types . They can be tall, short, fat, skinny, young or old, tight or droopy, shaved or furry, white like a seagull, or any shade of brown. If you think people have a lot of tattoos and piercings with their clothes on, you should see what they have without them. Again, don’t be surprised.
It happens a lot less often than you might think, but if you start to get physically aroused, the best advice I’ve seen is to roll over on your stomach and wait until it subsides.
Avoid sexual activity. It is illegal in public even where naked sunbathing is allowed. It can offend people living near the beach and beach-clad visitors, and it also leads to nude beaches being closed, hurting everyone who enjoys the clothing-optional lifestyle.
Help keep the beaches open for everyone. Don’t offend the neighbors . Get dressed before you go.
Keep the nude beach clean . This is also a good idea on any beach, but especially important for those who enjoy being in a natural environment. If you charged it, you can take it back. Be especially careful with plastic, which can be a danger to marine animals if it reaches the ocean.
Legal matters and encounters with law enforcement agencies
California nude beaches are found in state parks, county parks, national parks, and on private land. Each of them is subject to its own set of laws and law enforcement. Before you go, read this guide to know what the law of beach nudity you are going to go to and obey it is.
If a law enforcement officer or park ranger approaches you and asks you to get dressed or leave, don’t argue. Just be polite and do it once. Otherwise, you could end up with an expensive date, or worse, in jail.
Go to a nude beach in California
The guidelines above apply to nude beaches anywhere, but if you want to visit a California nude beach, this guide includes each and every one of them. You can also find a map-based index of California nude beaches on this Google map.
A good way to get into the nude lifestyle is to start in a private clothing-optional complex, where you’ll be safe from intruders. You can use this guide to find them in California.
For more information on the nude lifestyle and places to go outside of California, check out the AANR website.
