The Most Popular Nude Beach in America Isn’t Where You’d Expect

Looking to eliminate tan lines and enjoy freedom from restrictive clothing? You’re not alone. Nationwide, there are around a quarter-million searches for nude beaches every month. The only question is, which to choose? 

A study by the airport transportation booking platform Hoppa can make that decision easier. After analyzing Google search data and Tripadvisor scores, it recently uncovered the country’s most popular nudist beaches. 

You might be surprised to learn the most popular in the country is located not in sunny Southern California, but often foggy San Francisco. Baker Beach averaged more than 1.1 million Google searches over the previous 12 months and has a strong 4.5 Tripadvisor rating. This mile-long stretch of soft sands isn’t a place to swim, with powerful waves and rip currents, but it’s ideal for relaxing sans clothing while gazing at a spectacular panoramic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Lands End, and the Marin Headlands. 

Keep in mind that the central and southern sections closer to the main parking lot and restrooms are for clothed visitors only. By walking further north toward the bridge, you’ll reach the clothing-optional area. If you’d prefer to avoid the atmospheric mist, plan your trip in May, September, or October. Summer is often foggy, but these months typically have the clearest skies and the highest number of sunshine hours. 

For warmer temperatures, you might want to consider one of America’s other popular beaches where there’s no need to pack your swim trunks or bikinis.

Haulover Beach in Miami was No. 2 with 866,000 searches, and it also has a solid 4.5 Tripadvisor rating. Spanning the northern third section between lifeguard towers 12 and 16, umbrella and chair rentals, food trucks, outdoor showers, and restrooms are available on-site. 

Black’s Beach, located at the base of sandstone cliffs just north of San Diego in La Jolla, is the perfect place to take advantage of the area’s over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. Scoring third with 817,000 searches and a TripAdvisor rating of 4.4, the secluded two-mile stretch has long been a favorite among nudists on the West Coast.

For something a bit more exotic, enjoy a slice of Hawaiian paradise at Secret Beach in Kauai. It ranked fourth with nearly 475,000 searches and a 4.6 TripAdvisor rating. The secluded and breathtaking 3,000-foot span of golden sands offers views of the dramatic cliffs and Kilauea Lighthouse, but you’ll need to hike about 10 minutes down a moderately steep and sometimes slippery trail.

Another popular nudist beach in Florida, Playalinda is a pristine, undeveloped stretch within the Canaveral National Seashore, offering clothing-optional areas near Parking Lot 13. It landed in fifth place with 463,700 searches and a 4.5 Tripadvisor rating. Less than an hour east of Orlando, it not only boasts stunning natural beauty but also the best rocket launch viewing on the Space Coast.