|
|
San
Francisco, California (6
May 1998)I spent eight days in April visiting my good friend Tom. He and his lover Chris have a beautiful house just a few blocks from the heart of the Castro at the top of a steep hill. From both their front windows and their gorgeous back yard you have wonderful views of San Francisco. The weather was fabulous for the entire week that I was there, which meant that I was naked almost everywhere, both in Tom and Chris's back yard, and on the nude part of Land's End beach.
I also got naked in an unusual bar known as the Hole in the Wall. Chris told me he went in there once and would never go back, and I could certainly appreciate what he said! If it wasn't for the three beers and naked men, I probably wouldn't have stayed either. It plays loud, ugly music, and has a very alternative crowd, but it's the only gay bar in town that lets you take off all your clothes. It's worth a visit, but don't expect a very friendly reception. There's too much testosterone in the air for that! Oh yeah, and there's no clothes check; most people leave most of their stuff in their car, and walk to the bar in their underwear. (That's what I did.)
(13 Nov 2000) I still haven't returned, but just got this note from a friend: "By the way, I did visit Hole in the Wall and I can't say I found it the threatening place you found it and it is a place you can be nude in at the back and a couple were when I went in. They'd have to be at the back or they'd be visible from the street since it's not a terribly large place. To me the whole atmosphere seemed to fairly relaxed and it wasn't especially leather orientated, more just leather and levi and casual. Admittedly, October is quite warm so leather isn't unduly emphasized, but I don' t think I would discourage anyone from going there."
And of course, there are lot of sex clubs in San Francisco, and nudity is fine in all of them.
Run Naked Through the Streets of San Francisco!
Next to Toronto, I would say that San Francisco has the most opportunities to get naked of any city in North America. There is a long tradition of people getting naked for the various neighbourhood fairs (such as the Castro Street Fair, the Folsom Street Fair, and other smaller events), and there is a great tradition of naked runners participating in the Bay to Breakers Run which is coming up on Sunday, May 17th.
We published an article on last year's run in Volume 1 Number 4 of TNT!MEN Exposed, and it was picked up and reprinted by at least three other gay nudist groups. One of our talented members, Marvin, wrote that piece. I'll put it online soon. In the mean time, check out this article from the Western Association for Nude Recreation's site.
Marvin is heading back this year, and he asked me to pass this invitation on to the rest of you:
Join Marvin in San Francisco for a naked run/jog/walk with other naked guys (mostly from San Francisco & San Diego) through the streets of the beautiful "City by the Bay" on Sunday, May 17, 1998.