CONDUCT ON SAN ONOFRE BEACH

A clothing optional or nude beach is a public place, and the rules for good behavior are the same as for any other public place. SEXUAL AND/OR LEWD ACTIVITY IN PUBLIC IS ILLEGAL. It could cause the State to close the beach to nude use, and is not appreciated by the majority of other visitors. If you wouldn’t do it in front of a police officer, don’t do it here!

California Penal Code section 314 (a misdemeanor):

Section 314.1 prohibits conduct that is intended to direct public attention to his or her genitals for purposes of sexual arousal, gratification, or affront where there are other persons present to be offended or annoyed. Section 314.2 prohibits the solicitation of the same. Every person who is convicted of violating Penal Code section 314.1 must register as a sex offender for the rest of his or her life. Also, second and subsequent offenses are charged as felonies.

California Penal Code section 647 (a):

It is a misdemeanor to touch, in public or in public view, the genitals, buttocks, or female breast for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, annoyance or offense, if the person knows or should know of the presence of persons who may be offended. It also prohibits the solicitation of such public conduct.

Simple nudity (such as sunbathing or skinnydipping) is not prohibited under Penal Code sections 314.1 or 647(a).

Thank you for your cooperation,

Friends of San Onofre Beach

Download a pdf version of this text which may be printed (2 to a page) for handout.

Download a pdf version of this text which may be printed on a half-page for handout.