A Summary Winter in California: Time for Speedos and Ice Cream

[otter]

New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/c ... =url-share

Not sure if that will get you past the pay wall. The article heads up with a photo from crowded Baker Beach. Here is the opening paragraph:

* March 18, 2026

The thong swimsuits were small, but the hearts were big in Dolores Park in San Francisco on Tuesday.
From its grassy slopes, the park has views of palm trees, tennis courts and the city skyline. Sunbathers spent an unusually warm March Tuesday there, enjoying the heat and trying not to think too much about whether climate change might be causing it.
“It’s like, the world’s on fire, let’s get out my Speedo,” said Gordon Nipper, 25, who donned silver nail polish and, yes, a pink Speedo.

[Scottiebum]

New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/c ... =url-share

Not sure if that will get you past the pay wall. The article heads up with a photo from crowded Baker Beach. Here is the opening paragraph:

* March 18, 2026

The thong swimsuits were small, but the hearts were big in Dolores Park in San Francisco on Tuesday.
From its grassy slopes, the park has views of palm trees, tennis courts and the city skyline. Sunbathers spent an unusually warm March Tuesday there, enjoying the heat and trying not to think too much about whether climate change might be causing it.
“It’s like, the world’s on fire, let’s get out my Speedo,” said Gordon Nipper, 25, who donned silver nail polish and, yes, a pink Speedo.

Thanks for sharing! I guess guys from SF are not shy, with Gordon in his pink speedo and Felix in his blue thong!

[otter]

The portrayal of speedo’s exclusively as as thongs and bling does play to the notions of swagger or gayness per sé. As a straight guy who considers swim briefs to be the most practical cut of swimwear, I resent that notion, click bait for the news media. They are not that common in San Francisco either, straight or gay.

Comments following the article focused mostly on serious issues of climate change. But there was at least one snarky comment about how “most”women think speedos are an abomination (haha!). Other comments claimed, also snarkly, that one hardly any ever sees speedos in San Francisco. True.

My wife and I did head out to Stinson beach north of San Francisco on Thursday, a family scene with well over 1000 people. As far as I saw, I was the only guy in a speedo (Turbo) enjoying the bright sun. I did get to swagger a bit as I was one of the few to go out to play in the 14 degree C breakers.

[BozeHawk]

... My wife and I did head out to Stinson beach north of San Francisco on Thursday, a family scene with well over 1000 people. As far as I saw, I was the only guy in a speedo (Turbo) enjoying the bright sun. I did get to swagger a bit as I was one of the few to go out to play in the 14 degree C breakers.

I've enjoyed many a hot summer day after clambering down the hill to Red Rock just a tad before Stinson.

[otter]

Can you still hang out at Red Rock in your speedo tan without the speedo?

[BozeHawk]

Can you still hang out at Red Rock in your speedo tan without the speedo?

Last I checked, nary a swim brief or any type of swim togs were worn at Red Rocks. A day there will gently blur the edges of any sharply defined speedo tan. Don't forget your sunscreen, some things are best not sun burnt!

[otter]

Im all for blurring the edges! I can do that in the back yard, but I’m thinking Red Rock is the place to go for the small beach vibe.

I set out north once from steep ravine beach to see if I could hike and boulder hop all the way to Stinson. I know I got well past the hot springs, but I don’t recall if I made it even as far as Red Rock.

[BozeHawk]

... I set out north once from steep ravine beach to see if I could hike and boulder hop all the way to Stinson. I know I got well past the hot springs, but I don’t recall if I made it even as far as Red Rock.

If you look at the photo you can see Stinson to the North just around the rocks. Those rocks though are sharp best to wear something with soles to walk on them.

We've walked South of Red Rocks to the Steep Ravine hot springs, and further down to the Steep Ravine Beach as well. IRC, low tide is the key.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Red+R ... FQAw%3D%3D