San Francisco - Alison Bing [173]
LINDY IN THE PARK
Map
www.lindyinthepark.com; John F Kennedy Dr btwn 8th & 10th Aves, Golden Gate Park; admission free; 11am-2pm Sun, weather permitting; 5, 38, 44;
Start your Sunday right with swing-dancing in Golden Gate Park. In the classic SF tradition, this party is open to everyone: the point is to have fun. You’ll spot amazing dancers as well as giggling first-timers, so no need to worry if you’ve two left feet. Free half-hour lessons begin at noon. Or just come watch. If you can’t make it Sunday, there’s a monthly Wednesday party at Union Square from May to October.
MISSION CULTURAL CENTER FOR LATINO ARTS Map
415-643-2785; www.missionculturalcenter.org; 2868 Mission St; 10am-5pm Tue-Sat; 14, 26, 48, 49; 24th St Mission;
Join a class in flamenco, salsa or Latin belly-dancing; make arts and crafts with the kids; or create a poster at the printmaking studio at this happening cultural center. Teachers are friendly, and participants range from niños to abuelos (kids to grandpas). Great place to meet locals on a rainy day. Check the online calendar.
PLANET GRANITE Map
415-692-3434; www.planetgranite.com; Glass Palace, 924 Old Mason St, Crissy Field; day use adult/child $18/10; 6am-11pm Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm Sat, 8am-6pm Sun; 29
Take in spectacular bay views through a wall of glass as you ascend false-rock structures in this kick-ass 25,000-sq-ft climbing center – the ideal place to train for a hiking expedition to Yosemite. Master top ropes as high as 45ft or test your strength ascending giant boulders and vertical-crack climbing walls, then finish your workout in the full gym, or stretch in a yoga session. Check the web for class schedules.
SAN FRANCISCO CROQUET CLUB
Map
415-928-5525; www.croquetworld.com/sfcc.html; Stern Grove, 19th Ave & Wawona St; admission free; 28;
Think croquet is a thing of childhood, backyard parties and Sunday picnics? Think again. These folks are hardcore about their wickets, but manage not to take themselves too seriously. Nonmembers can join free sessions on the first three Saturdays of the month; kids are always welcome.
SAN FRANCISCO DISC GOLF
Map
www.sfdiscgolf.org; Marx Meadow Dr at Fulton St btwn 25th & 30th Aves; admission free; 5, 28, 29, 31
If you love to throw Frisbees, head to the tranquil woods of Golden Gate Park to find a permanent 18-hole disc-golf course, enjoyed by cultish veterans and reckless beginners. You can rent a bag of flying saucers at Golden Gate Park Bike & Skate. Tournaments happen Sundays from 8:30am to 10am.
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BEST PLACES TO BE NAKED IN SF
Yep, it’s legal: in September 2004, a California appellate court ruled public nudity OK in SF. Should the mood strike, you can strip down bare-ass-nekkid and not end up in jail. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area allows nudity on Land’s End Beach and North Baker Beach as long as there’s no lewd behavior and nobody complains (only out-of-towners ever do); rangers patrol, so keep an eye out if you get cuddly on the sand. Check the San Francisco Bay Guardian’s (sfbg.com) annual nude-beach reviews for more. You’ll also spot the occasional odd streaker at some parades and protests.
You’d look out of place if you were dressed while scrubbing down with salt at Kabuki Springs & Spa (opposite). Alas, bathing suits are required on coed Tuesdays.
Tourists straying down the trails and cliffs near the Cliff House are often stunned to find nude sunbathers at Lands End and Baker Beaches, in a tiny and often windy quarter-mile-long cove. Better to choose North Baker Beach, SF’s most popular nude beach. Take the 29 bus to Lincoln Blvd, turn right and take the second left onto Bowley St, a right on Gibson Rd and right again once you’re on the sand. Gay boys prefer Marshall’s Beach