Home  |  About  |  Original Articles  |  Book and Surf Shop  |  Logo Goods

July 21, 2009 -

Clothes Expensive, Nudity Moreso

A California state appellate court has upheld a change in policy by the state Parks and Recreation Department that allows $500 citations for beach nudity, even in areas that have historically, if informally, been designated ‘clothing optional.’

Non-enforcement of a legal ban on public nudity in state parks has been the practice of the department since the Cahill memo in the 1970s.  That policy limited enforcement to cases where a private citizen complained to law enforcement.  Park officials are now free to patrol and cite violations in those beaches where a clothing optional area has not been designated.

The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit brought by the Naturist Action Committee to preserve the status of a portion of the San Onofre State Beach as clothing optional.  Unless overturned by the California Supreme Court the ruling ends clothing optional sunbathing, swimming and surfing at San Onofre.

---

Interesting Sites

70 Percent Good site focusing on reporting and documenting break conditions for waveriders
Coastal Marine Resource Center Non-profit from the New York-New Jersey Harbor Bight
Free PB Opposition to additional beach regulations at San Diego’s Pacific Beach
Race for the Oceans A forum for swimmers and swimming fans to dive in to ocean conservation.
Surfrider Foundation Activities and campaigns for clean water, beach access, beach preservation and protecting special places.