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October 22, 2009 -

New ‘Clothing-Optional’ Policy Upheld

The California Supreme Court unanimously declined to review a July appellate court decision that upheld the state’s right to overturn the Cahill memorandum, a 1970s era document that created informal clothing-optional beaches in California.

The case arose from a proposed change in policy at San Onofre State Beach.  While the ruling confirms park authorities’ authority to change policy at other parks, including San Diego’s Black’s Beach at the Torrey Pines State Reserve, there’s been no announcement of any intention to do so.

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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.

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December 19, 2008 -

Beachmen in Black

The feds have stepped in on two ongoing coastal disputes in Southern California in the last few days:

• Federal judge in San Diego orders protection for seals at Children’s Pool.
• Feds back Coastal Commission and block San Onofre toll road.

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August 20, 2008 -

Status Quo at San Onofre

An Orange County judge has ordered that the status quo regarding the clothing optional beach at San Onofre be maintained pending further hearings.  That means the nudity remains legal for now.

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August 1, 2008 -

San Onofre Update

There’s a good update on the status of the state’s efforts to end San Onofre’s clothing optional status and the legal battle to preserve the status quo in an article by Matt Coker at OCWeekly.com. 

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June 6, 2008 -

Wardrobe Changes Announced For San Onofre

The acting superintendent for San Onofre State Beach has announced that effective September 1 nudity will no longer be permitted at the park’s Trail 6 Beach.  This is not a change in law, but in local enforcement.  According to the Union-Tribune, the decision to abandon years of tolerance is due to a new interpretation of a civil rights law from 1991.  The nudity reportedly makes some employees unconfortable, and park management is reportedly acting to avoid sexual harassment claims, though the Union-Tribune article seems to refute the legal basis for that rationale. 

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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.
Wave Ride Net Surfing and surf spots