Bare to Breakers countdown - weather?
 

I know a lot of people here are from the Bay area, and there is a definate possibility that I may head south this weekend for (among other things) Bay to Breakers. So......but there are two thing on my mind: 1) the rule changes this year that might put a definate crimp on things and 2) the weather. As far as the weather goes, its looking quite good for the weekend, but I don't have a sense for what the fog conditions are like this time of year. And as for the rule change - will they leave the nudes alone?

Anyway, if anyone would like to help me out in planning my trip, I'd be grateful. Things like fog, the police crackdown, route, best place to photograph, nice hotels, etc, etc - all are areas where I could use some advice.

If you want to continue this by pm, that would be Ok too - or maybe add some pics to your replies. I'll try and put something up too.

thanks,

Klondike

here are some pics from Baker Beach. KLondike

all from Baker Beach. Klondike

More from Baker, starting with a large version of Klondike's last and a couple more of the same trip (supposedly Aussies en vacances); then an oldie from Baker, and an oldie (but just posted recently at flickr) from B2B '01. It's been too long since I've spent enough time in The City to give any up-to-date advice on accommodations etc., but I can say that a) the stuff I've read seems to indicate, and St. Stupid's would seem to confirm, nudity won't be a big issue: the real thrust is to cut down on drunkenness (though that could certainly affect those spur-of-the-moment nudes!); and b) they have long discouraged nudity right at the actual finish (historically at the end of the GG Park leg of the run, out by Ocean Beach), so a better vantage for the late stages of the race would probably be further back into the park...

I love that last one, any body got more of that little student group that went naked an about 2004. I loved it when some younger students went naked at this event, the majority of nudes (with the yellow hats) are normally rather older, and mainly male.

I have a shot and some more of a different group from 2005, (probably re-posts) any more out there??????.....

A few B2B more from past years
 

I don't think these are reposts...

Here are a few more.

Also, with regard to the group of younger people. I think it's pretty much the same group (probably from a university) for several years from the early to mid-2000's. While a number of the group changed, a few stayed the same and there was some overlap. The fully nude shorter girl with the cap (in the pics you posted above and in the photos below) appeared several years in a row. There's a repost of her somewhere in the 2008 thread with her hair in pigstails that stood straight up, and you commented on that pic that she was a favorite of yours.

There are a few more pics of this group from coccozella and I believe flash4us, but all the above are watermarked so not post-able here.

Forecast is mid-70's for the city which is pretty high for us, but I think since the race is in the morning it will probably be high 50's to mid 60's by the time the "runners" get towards Golden Gate park this year.
The Marine layer fog has been staying offshore until 3:30 or so lately, so fog should not be an issue!

Originally the city wanted to crack down on nudity AND drinking, but gave concessions when faced with opposition.
Their goal was to reduce the amount of garbage left behind, and the public drunkenness later in the route. (people who live along the route complained that people were pissing in their yards, half naked people passed out on their laws, etc.). The runners register and pay a fee that goes towards cleanup, but the 100,000+ walkers do not (and make 99% of the trash).
The agreement is now no not bring floats that carry kegs to cut down on the alcohal abuse, continue to ask people to register, and to ban glass bottles. So basically this year, cans and weed will be "overlooked" by the police unless you are being a blatent asshole. They have asked people to cut back on the nudity, but don't plan on arresting anyone for it. It's just not that kind of city. Unfortunately it seems like each year there has been less and less nudity for whatever reason. :(
I live about a half mile from the turn from Hayes onto Divisidero, so I will definitely be watching from the down side of the Hayes hill like I always do! It's my favorite San Francisco holiday of the year!
Anyone else going?

Thanks, Cokedick -

I've had some health issues the past few years and have to limit walking somewhat. My idea is to catch the action somewhere in Golden Gate Park. But the biggest problem for me would be if I couldn't park close to where I will be snapping pics. Any advice on parking so as to not have to walk too far to catch runners? I'll go where I have to...and take public transportation if I have to....inside or outside the park.

thanks again,

Klondike

Public Transportation is going to be SLAMMED that day FYI (although you probably already know that).
I would say try parking (as early as 7am) in the Inner Richmond: Balboa or Cabrillo anywhere between 2nd and 17th Avenues. OR between 27th and 36th Avenues. This is where Kennedy Dr. (the race course in the park) gets closes to Fulton (the closest open street outside of the park).