San Mateo County, California
Gray Whale Cove State Beach
Gray Whale Cove State Beach — known locally as Devil's Slide Beach — sits tucked below the famous Devil's Slide coastal bluffs on Highway 1, about 4 miles south of Pacifica.
- Day use
- Official Co
About this place
Gray Whale Cove State Beach — known locally as Devil's Slide Beach — sits tucked below the famous Devil's Slide coastal bluffs on Highway 1, about 4 miles south of Pacifica. The beach is officially clothing-optional, one of very few California state beaches with that formal designation. The state park status and the clothing-optional rule together make this one of the most legitimate naturist beaches on the California coast.
The cove is small — roughly 300 meters of sand — enclosed by steep coastal bluffs that provide shelter from wind and strong visual privacy from the highway above. The water is cold (Pacific Coast temperatures typically run 55–60°F) but the beach itself warms well in summer. The combination of protected location, bluff backdrop, and accessible parking makes this a reliable choice for Bay Area naturists who don't want to drive to Point Reyes.
Access is from a small parking lot on the seaward side of Highway 1. A moderately steep trail descends to the beach — about 5 minutes of walking. The lot fills on warm weekends, and midweek is noticeably quieter. The beach is about 20 miles south of San Francisco via Highway 1 through Pacifica — the coastal drive along Devil's Slide is itself spectacular.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Bay Area day-trippers, San Francisco naturists who want a short drive. Mix of regulars and occasional visitors. Midweek crowd skews older; weekends are more varied.
How to find it
Drive Highway 1 south from Pacifica, past Rockaway Beach, and watch for the Gray Whale Cove State Beach parking lot on the right (ocean side). GPS: Gray Whale Cove State Beach, Pacifica CA. Trail from the lot to the beach takes about 5 minutes.
Things to watch out for
Pacific water is cold year-round; dress accordingly for wind even in summer. The parking lot is small — arrives by 10am on warm weekends. Waves can be unpredictable; check surf before swimming.
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Etiquette & ground rules
Officially clothing-optional throughout the beach. Standard naturist etiquette applies. Towel down on shared surfaces. Photography requires consent.
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