LA JOLLA — Black’s Beach, located at Torrey Pines State Beach beneath the trailhead of Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, has been a place for nudists to congregate, play volleyball and frolic in the waves since the peace and love era of the 1960s, according to state beach authorities. “Historically, Black’s has always been a free love area,” said Brian Ketterer, North Sector Superintendent for Southern California state beaches. “Of course, that’s always been per word of mouth, but the nudity, bonfires and drum circles down there, they all sort of came about at the same time during the mid-’60s.” Until recently, state beach and park authorities did not cite nudity at Black’s or any other state beaches, but all that changed in a 2009 court case regarding Trail 6 of the San Onofre State Beach. Trail 6 was the subject of a complaint due to reports of lewd acts being committed in the beach’s parking lot, said lifeguard and aquatics safety specialist with California State Parks, Alex Peabody. The complaints led to state courts ruling that Trail 6 would prohibit nudity and those in violation could receive a fine or even misdemeanor charges being filed against them, a situation that has The Naturist Society still reeling. Attorney Allen Baylis, who is a defender for The Naturist Society, claimed that although the ruling at Trail 6 hasn’t changed the nudity policies for other San Diego County beaches, the recent court cases of those who have been cited for misdemeanors could. “The reason we fought so hard to keep clothing optional at Trail 6 was because we knew that if the Department of Parks and Recreation could revoke the nudity policy once — they could do it again,” he said. As for the fate of other nude state beaches such as Black’s, that still hangs in the balance. “Any upcoming court cases will tip the scales,” said Ketterer. “What is ultimately decided in Sacramento will direct what we do here at Black’s, but until that happens we will continue to enforce the Cahill Policy, except for Trail 6 where nudity is prohibited.” The Cahill Policy was coined for the 1979 memorandum written by the director of Parks and Recreation, Russell W. Cahill. It’s been the official program of enforcement for nudity at California state beaches and asserts that unless a private citizen makes an official complaint regarding a lewd act or lewd conduct, beachgoers are allowed to be nude in designated areas. But, if a complaint is given, a park authority or ranger may then ask all nudists to clothe for 24 hours. This 24-hour policy was also determined by the Department of Parks and Recreation, but back in 1988. In a statement written to the Western Sunbathing Association, the deputy director for operations wrote, “By prohibiting the activity for the balance of the day, it is likely that the skinny dipper and complaining party will not encounter one another again, thus serving the purpose of the ‘Cahill Policy’ in a rational, easily understandable way.” As for Black’s, nudity is only allowed on the Torrey Pines Park portion. The other side of the beach is city property and nudity was banned there in 1999, wrote Claudia Kellersch of the Black’s Beach Bares, one of the founding naturist organizations of La Jolla. The Black’s Beach Bares naturists have been a colorful part of La Jolla’s history since the ’80s. From June through September, the Bares can be seen enjoying potlucks, volleyball and surf competitions and even diving — all in the buff. Kellersch also noted that generations of University of California, San Diego students have used the beach as a respite. “Having the nude beach in their backyard as a place to find peace and quiet was part of being a student,” wrote Kellersch. And peace and quiet is what the Bares have apparently been accomplishing according to Kellersch. “Politics aside, the Bare naturists have been very conscientious and good about policing themselves, maintaining boundaries, picking up trash and just being good stewards,” he said. “I think they’ve been good about maintaining it because they have something very special and beautiful that could be taken away from them at any time.”