Location
United States
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Mixed
Best season
May to October
About Fuller's Beach
Fuller's Beach is a small, isolated cove on the Big Sur coast of Monterey County, California, tucked below Highway 1 near Grimes Point, a few miles south of Nepenthe and roughly a mile south of Deetjen's Big Sur Inn, just before the highway bends inland at Grimes Canyon. It is a windswept, rugged spot backed by steep bluffs, with a narrow strip of coarse beige sand, pebbles and plenty of rock rather than a broad sandy beach. The cove is primarily a surf break, and on days with good waves most of the people present are surfers in the water; nude sunbathers are usually only a handful, using the more out-of-the-way parts of the shore. There is no designated nude area: nude use is informal and low-key. The surf is powerful with strong currents and a rocky shoreline, so it is not a swimming beach for casual or inexperienced swimmers. Seals, sea lions and, in winter and spring, migrating gray whales can be seen offshore. There are no facilities of any kind.
Getting there
Drive Highway 1 south past Nepenthe and look for a small pullout on the ocean (west) side next to a telephone pole, just before the road turns east into Grimes Canyon; a larger pullout on the east side is mainly used by Caltrans. The trail down is long, very steep and lined with poison oak, and regular visitors advise extreme care on the descent. The route is reported to cross private land, so respect any no-trespassing signs. No public transport, no facilities, and unsuitable for anyone with limited mobility.
What visitors say
Accounts describe Fuller's as a wild, hard-to-find surf cove rather than a sunbathing destination: surfers dominate, and only a few nude sunbathers turn up on a typical day. Visitors consistently warn about the steep, poison-oak-lined trail and the difficulty of spotting the pullout. Some guides mention territorial local surfers and recommend not going alone. Those who like rugged isolation rate it highly; anyone wanting sand, facilities or a naturist crowd is better served at Pfeiffer Beach to the north.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
There is no official clothing-optional designation; nude use is informal and tolerated rather than permitted. Reports say the beach and access trail are privately owned (the beach reportedly by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation), and California indecency law applies if someone complains (sources 2010, 2026).
Naturism at Fuller's Beach sits under United States's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: United States public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 36.2086, -121.7432
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Fuller's Beach an official nude beach?
No. Nudity is informal and occasional; the beach is mainly a surf spot and reportedly privately owned.
How do I find the trail?
Look for a small ocean-side pullout by a telephone pole on Highway 1 south of Nepenthe, just before the road bends into Grimes Canyon.
Is it safe to swim?
Swimming is risky: the surf is strong, currents are powerful and the shoreline is rocky. There are no lifeguards.
Is it suitable for families?
Not really: the trail is steep and overgrown with poison oak, there are no facilities and the surf is dangerous.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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