Torrey / Black’s surf guide

Beach / Advanced

Blacks North

The northern side of the Black’s Beach canyon amphitheater.

Reported direction

Left & right

General swell window

S–NW

Reported tide preference

Low–mid

Bottom

Sand

Black’s is split into searchable sections because the coast is too significant to flatten into one pin.

Things to check: Heavy surf, long stairs or beach walk, isolation and cliffs.

Location: Approximate imported surf-zone pin — verify locally. Public shoreline or trail access; tide and closures matter. Check current access independently.

Beach / Advanced–expert

Black’s Main

Also searched as: Blacks

The main Black’s canyon takeoff zone.

Reported direction

Left & right

General swell window

S–NW

Reported tide preference

Low–mid

Bottom

Sand

One of Southern California’s truly consequential beaches. The canyon amplification makes live surf size especially important here.

Things to check: Powerful surf, cliffs, rips and heavy crowding.

Location: Approximate imported surf-zone pin — verify locally. Public shoreline or trail access; tide and closures matter. Check current access independently.

Beach / Advanced

Black’s South

The southern continuation of the Black’s zone.

Reported direction

Left & right

General swell window

S–NW

Reported tide preference

Low–mid

Bottom

Sand

Kept separate for people who actually use the beach in a more granular way than tourist maps allow.

Things to check: Currents, crowding, submerged rock or cobble, water-quality changes after rain, and shifting bars.

Location: Approximate imported surf-zone pin — verify locally. Public shoreline or trail access; tide and closures matter. Check current access independently.