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GhostFingers · San Diego County · La Jolla

Blacks

Beachbreak below the Torrey Pines bluffs in La Jolla. A deep offshore canyon focuses long-period west and northwest swell into fast, shifting A-frame peaks with real push. Access is a steep bluff trail in either direction.

La Jolla Famous spot

Spot intel

Parking

Free lot at the Torrey Pines Gliderport off Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, then a steep dirt trail down the bluff. The paved service road off La Jolla Farms Road is the other way in. Either way, the climb back out with a board is the price of admission.

Crowd

Thick when the canyon is doing its work. The trail thins the casual crowd but the standard in the water stays high, with a committed local and university-town crew on it early.

Beginner-friendly?

No.

Fast, powerful peaks that break hard on shallow sand, strong rips on any size, a long steep trail between the car and the water, and a lineup that assumes competence. Not a wave to learn on.

Famous for

Blacks Beach. The canyon-focused beachbreak under the Torrey Pines bluffs, widely regarded as the heaviest and best beachbreak wave in San Diego County. Winter northwest swells here draw surfers from the whole region.

Lineup etiquette

Shifting beachbreak peaks spread priority around. The surfer closest to the peak on a given bank has the wave, and the sets move, so position is earned over and over.

When it’s on

Long-period west through northwest groundswell focused by the offshore canyon. Light offshore from the east through northeast. Low to mid tide window.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
32.8810, -117.2528
Shore faces
W
Region
La Jolla, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Blacks?
Blacks works best on a WSW to WNW swell. It also picks up S to SW swell.
How big does Blacks need to be?
Blacks is best in the 4-10ft range on a 12-20s period.
What are the best conditions at Blacks?
Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
Where is Blacks?
Blacks is a canyon-fed beach break in La Jolla, California. The beach faces W.
Does GhostFingers forecast Blacks?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Blacks with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, summer 2026.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching summer 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

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