Indian Head Beach

Category: C/O Beaches

GPS GeoCoords: 36.66594, -121.820054

Weather Forecast

The traditional clothing optional area is south on the beach beyond Marina Beach. There are no facilities, even at the parking area. Sensible camp rules apply. Additionally, each person should have at least one quart of water. (The climate is coastal desert: it might be cool and foggy or hot and dry.) The beach itself has not seen any significant human activity since the 1920's. It's a living beach habitat, what beaches looked like before mankind tried to "manage" them. (Those of you who are naturalists as well as naturists might want to see this before the State gets the idea to manage this one, as well.) Pack out what you pack in; consider bringing a trash bag or a plastic grocery bag, and packing out a little extra man-made stuff.

Because of the size and proximity of the cliffs, the earliest the sun will hit the beach is around three hours after local sunrise. The park is open from 8:00 AM until sunset, and free. Surf fishermen tend to show up after 4:00 PM and on weekends, but usually don't go more than a mile from the entrance. The park Rangers run a patrol vehicle down the beach (tide permitting) around 4:30 PM or so, and will happily take any litter that you have picked up. Windy days bring out hang-gliders and para-gliders, but they're more interested in staying aloft than gawking or complaining (as the Cahill Policy requires)!

The former Stillwell Hall has been removed, along with the concrete blocks and boulders that were acting protecting it from beach erosion. Now, with the boulders gone, there is a really long stretch of beach, about 1.5 miles, on which you can walk, run, or just find a spot and be a lizard.

Wading and swimming are definitely not recommended for anyone but a strong ocean swimmer or a damned fool. Besides the odd rogue wave, the beach slope is very steep, about a 30% grade. The surf line hides a steeper drop-off and a very strong undertow. Additionally, the water temperature hovers between 55 and 58° Fahrenheit. Without a wet-suit, you won't be swimming for very long, anyway.

While the beach is a hike to reach, you'll be glad you did. Sea lion and sea otter sightings are a daily affair, as are a wide variety of sea and shore birds. The park's rangers are completely tolerant; and rarely come by other than around 4:30 PM. During the week, you'll most likely be the only one there.

Directions: From San Jose, take U.S. 101 South to Prunedale, then take CA 156 west to join CA 1 southbound at Castroville. Approaching Marina, exit at "Reservation Rd.", turning left (east, away from the ocean). At the second signal turn right (south) onto Reservation Rd. (do not go straight onto Beach), then in ½ mile turn right again onto Lake Dr. which you follow another ½ mile until it crosses under the freeway.

From Monterey, go north on CA 1 to Marina and exit at Del Monte Avenue. Go through the first traffic signal, and turn left (west) at the next signal, which is Palm Avenue. Go across the tracks and take the second left onto Lake Dr.; follow it under the freeway.

On Lake Dr., once under the freeway, park straight ahead on the right side of the road. You'll see the sign announcing Marina Beach State Park. The obvious path uphill is your route. Take heart, and a deep breath--the climb is as steep as it looks, up and over the sand dune, staying on the trail. On the beach, turn left and walk about ½ mile south to get to the nude area. It extends south beyond the former site of Fort Ord's Stillwell Hall (named for "Vinegar Joe" Stillwell of WWII fame) which was dismantled and removed about 2003 as cliff erosion undermined the building.

The other reference is the cliff face. Most are compressed sand, and bare. Approximately one half-mile south, you'll see one portion of the cliff face covered with iceplant. When you get that far, feel free to go nude. From car to site is about a 20-minute walk, longer if one is not used to extremely soft sand.


According to the WANR site and the Bay Area Naturists, this beach has a long and established history as a clothing-optional beach. It is also listed by http://californiacoastline.org as a clothing-optional beach. View some high-resolution images of this beach here