Naked in San Francisco

[Aaron Stern]

There was a front page article in our local newspaper last Thursday (Los Angeles Times, http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/2445241321.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+8%2C+2011&author=Maria+L.+La+Ganga&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=A.1&desc=The+naked+and+the+dread+in+San+Francisco%3B+The+city+considers+a+public+health+measure+as+nudity+proliferates.) about nudity being tolerated in the city of San Francisco. First I couldn't believe my eyes, then I called a friend of Jennifer's (they both had a baby at the same hospital at the same time  , now Patricia is a single mom and a lesbian living with her partner on Diamond Street smack in the middle of the gay and lesbian center called Castro District). Well, Patricia confirmed that there a tons of naked people, mostly (gay) men in downtown S.F. during the summer months, but she had never been naked outdoors; however, if Jennifer, our kids and I would do it, she, her son and possibly her partner might give it a try. She invited the four of us (Jennifer, Noah, Leah and me) to stay the upcoming weekend at their place  , so we're going  ! Aaron

[b_l_m]

Aaron,

I'm relatively new here, but as a San Francisco resident, I just wanted to say I hope you have a great time on your visit to the city!  It's pretty darn cold here in the mornings and evenings this time of year, but midday is beautiful and would be wonderful to be nude outside in.

I'd be really interested to hear how your experience goes -- it's true that there are frequently nude men, particularly around the Castro, in the summer months, though I haven't yet gone nude in the city myself, nor has my wife.  I think it's more accepted in some areas of the city than others, and the Castro should be pretty safe for it, at least during the day.

One thing to watch out for: There's no blanket law prohibiting nudity in SF, but there is a civil statute prohibiting nudity in city parks, including Golden Gate park.  It's selectively enforced, but I've seen it enforced firsthand in Golden Gate park and Dolores Park when there isn't a pro-nudity event going on (e.g., Folsom Street Fair, Bay to Breakers, Pride, etc.)

My wife and I will be in Napa when you visit, otherwise, as a fellow attorney and California young naturist, I'd say we should meet up!

[Storm29]

Couldn't read the article, it wants me to pay to be able to read it. I understand they want people to subscribe, but for someone from Connecticut that wants to read one article??

Anyway, I had no idea that nudity was tolerated so well outside of Bay to Breakers. So you can basically walk the streets of the Castro area totally nude and no one will call the cops? Or is more like in backyards or some parks? It would be interesting to hear your experience there.

[Aaron Stern]

Yep, we went thru with it; arrived at Patricia's home Friday late afternoon, our two kids stripped naked right away, so did Jennifer, my sister Sarah and her b/f Kyle and I. Patricia said she was afraid it might be too cool outdoors, but when Charlotte (her s/o) came home from work and saw us ready to go, she decided to join us, so did Patricia and finally her son Paul. So we all walked totally naked thru Castro District for almost an hour; what a treat to be clothes-free in an urban environment. There were eight or nine other nudies, mostly elderly men, and even two gay boys making out in front of an old building's hallway. Then we went to Patricia's place, took a shower and had dinner. The next morning I was up at 7, everybody was sound asleep, so I went on a little nudie trip all by myself; it was cool, and I think I was the only nudie around, which I didn't like. But when we all had our late morning walk it was mild and clement, and tons of nudies (besides Patricia, Charlotte, Jennifer and Sarah, only three other females!), some sitting on beach chairs, some walking about. We stayed until 5:30 P.M. when it really turned cool again, same yesterday (Sunday). I must say it was a great experience, and we hope we can do it again soon. I just talked to Patricia on the phone, to thank her for their hospitality, and she said she and her son went on a little nudie trip thru the neighborhood today, and she thanked us for opening her eyes to the nudie lifestyle. Aaron

[Aaron Stern]

We really wanted to go again - turned out to be too cool in San Francisco over the weekend, though, to run around naked  ; after all it's autumn. If only this article in the Los Angeles Times had been published earlier in the year  . But then again, it will be spring in six short months  ! So I just wanted to know, have any fellow YNAI-members been naked in San Francisco (Castro District) this year? Was it a good experience? Was it fun, or somewhat awkward? Aaron

[Lochsmith]

Thanks for sharing your experience Aaron. I would be hesitant without my wife, but otherwise "when in Rome". 

[Storm29]

Sounds like an awesome experience, I'll definitely have to check out the area next time I'm in SF. And even though I wasn't able to read that LA Times online article link, I was able to find several other articles with a google search. Don't know if I'd be able to go nude by myself though! It would feel so much less awkward with at least one other nude person, as I'd kinda feel like a perv walking around there nude by myself.