Day 1 – Jumping into the bay

Although it is in California, San Francisco is not like San Diego. It gets cold up here. Bring layers of clothing when you come visit. And know that if you surf or want to get in any natural water here, you will need a wetsuit. Unless you join us for the New Year's Day bay dip. Started by four friends last year, you strip down to shorts and run voluntarily into the cold SF water, leaving all common sense on the beach. I hid out during the inaugural year last year, but two more of us whole-heartedly joined them this year. It was COLD. I was hyperventilating. But it was enthralling. You don't even feel cold when you get out, probably because you're numb, but anyways. A fine mist started falling as we were getting into dry clothes, and then we walked up the hill to warm up with an Irish coffee at the famous Buena Vista. Seriously, it was perfect.