Glen Eden Sun Club: Southern California's Oldest Naturist Cooperative

Glen Eden Sun Club has been operating on 55 acres of rolling hillside in Temescal Valley since 1958. That makes it one of the oldest continuously-operating naturist clubs in Southern California, and one of the region’s most established examples of the AANR cooperative model. This guide is for the first-time visitor — what the club actually is, how to visit, what to expect from the experience, and what distinguishes it from the commercial naturist resorts that make up most of Southern California’s clothing-optional options.

The Cooperative Model

Glen Eden is a member-owned cooperative affiliated with AANR — the American Association for Nude Recreation. Understanding this structure explains most of what distinguishes the experience from a commercial property.

Member-owned means the club is legally owned by its members, who vote on decisions, elect a board, and contribute to operations. There is no outside ownership. Revenue from dues and guest fees funds facility maintenance and club operations; there is no profit motive.

AANR affiliation means Glen Eden operates within the AANR network, which includes guest policies that allow AANR members from affiliated clubs to visit as guests. It also means Glen Eden’s culture aligns with the AANR mainstream — family-friendly, non-sexual, community-oriented.

Cooperative operations means the club runs substantially on volunteer labor from its members. Weekend events, groundskeeping, facility maintenance, and social programming are organized by members who participate because they care about the club, not because they’re paid to be there.

What this produces is an atmosphere that feels fundamentally different from a resort. Longtime members know each other and their families. Social events are genuinely community gatherings rather than hospitality productions. New visitors are welcomed into that community rather than checked into a venue.

The Property

55 acres in the Temescal Valley hills, about 10 miles east of Lake Elsinore in Riverside County. The I-15 corridor runs through the valley below, but the club itself is on a winding rural road above the suburbanization. The setting is Southern California inland hills — chaparral, oak woodland, and the temperature swings that come with elevation and distance from the marine layer.

Facilities:

• Swimming pool — the social center of the club, large enough for serious lap swimming and casual lounging
• Hot tub
• Volleyball court — an AANR cooperative staple; used regularly
• Tennis courts
• Clubhouse — indoor gathering space for events, meetings, and inclement weather
• RV hookup sites — for overnight members and guests with RVs
• Tent camping — primitive sites for overnight stays

The facilities are functional and maintained. They are not luxurious. If you’re expecting poolside service, a restaurant, or hotel-quality rooms, that is not what Glen Eden is. If you’re expecting a clean pool, a friendly community, and a setting where you can relax without performance, that is exactly what Glen Eden is.

How to Visit as a Guest

Visiting Glen Eden without an existing membership requires advance arrangement. The two main paths:

AANR membership: If you’re already a member of an AANR-affiliated club elsewhere, you can visit Glen Eden as a traveling member under AANR’s reciprocal guest policy. Contact the club in advance with your AANR credentials.

Direct guest arrangement: Non-AANR visitors can arrange guest visits directly through the club’s website (gleneden.com). Guest visits typically require a short application and advance confirmation. Walk-up visits without prior contact are not accepted.

Single male policy: Some Glen Eden events restrict single male attendance or require advance approval. If you’re visiting solo as a man, verify the policy for your intended visit date before making the trip.

Day visitor fees: Guest visits involve a day-use fee; overnight stays in the RV or camping areas involve an additional fee. Check current rates directly with the club.

The Atmosphere

Glen Eden’s community skews toward middle-aged and older members who have been part of the club for years, with younger families cycling in during summer. The atmosphere is:

Relaxed and social. People know each other. Conversations start easily at the pool or clubhouse. Newcomers are typically welcomed by regulars who have done this many times before.

Activity-oriented. The club runs a regular calendar of events — weekend barbecues, holiday celebrations, volleyball tournaments, potlucks. Visiting on an event weekend gives you more context for what the community is.

Family-appropriate. Children are common in summer. The social norms are firmly family-oriented throughout the property.

Unpretentious. The cooperative model produces an authentically community-focused atmosphere. Nobody is performing. The absence of hospitality production means the social texture is more honest than at a commercial resort.

Summer Heat

Temescal Valley sits inland from the Southern California coast. The marine layer that moderates temperature along the coast does not reach this far inland. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F / 38°C. June through September visits require:

• Early morning arrival (before 11am) for the most comfortable outdoor time
• Hydration as a serious concern, not a passing note
• Real sun protection, not just SPF-15 sunscreen
• Afternoon shade — the pool area and clubhouse provide it

The pool is not just an amenity in this context. It’s a thermal management tool. Plan your Glen Eden summer visit accordingly.

The I-15 Corridor Location

Temescal Valley sits on the I-15 between Corona and Lake Elsinore. This makes Glen Eden:

• About 50-60 minutes from downtown Los Angeles
• About 45-50 minutes from San Diego
• About 45 minutes from the Inland Empire (Riverside, San Bernardino)
• Accessible as a day trip from either major metro, or as an overnight stop on a route between them

Getting there: From I-15, exit at Temescal Canyon Road and follow local roads south into the hills. Glen Eden Road is a rural winding road; navigation will get you to the gate. Have the club’s contact information in case of gate access questions.

Where to Stay Nearby

For non-camping guests:

Lake Elsinore: The nearest town, about 10-15 minutes south. Hotels in all price ranges. The lake itself is a local recreation area.

Temecula: 30-40 minutes south on I-15. Wine country, more accommodation options, restaurants. A two-night Temecula visit with a Glen Eden day is a viable itinerary.

Corona / Riverside: Larger urban options 20-30 minutes north on I-15.

Other Southern California Naturist Options

Glen Eden is the inland club option; California’s beaches and resorts offer different character:

• Black’s Beach — San Diego’s cliff-access nude beach
• San Onofre Beach — Trail 6, informally tolerated
• Laguna del Sol — Sacramento area’s full-service flagship resort
• Naturists in the OC — Orange County travel club, non-landed events

Related Guides

• Best Clothing-Optional Resorts in California — comparative overview of California’s resort and club options.
• Nudism vs. Naturism vs. Clothing-Optional — where the cooperative-club tradition fits within the larger vocabulary.
• How to Choose Your First Clothing-Optional Resort — the property-selection framework.

Featured Location

• Glen Eden Sun Club — current access details, membership information, and visitor notes.