Cayucos Polar Bears

Issue #117 - California's Central Coast

The next town north of Morro Bay is a small seaside town called Cayucos, which hosts an annual Polar Bear swim meet every year at noon on January 1, New Year’s Day. Locals and visitors brave cold weather to dive into 54˚ ocean water. No wet suits are allowed. If you are in the area, stay overnight, and get out there early to find a spot on the pier for an aerial photograph of thousands of crazy people running into the surf. Photographers line the full 953-foot length of the pier. I was a little late arriving but managed to squeeze in for a photo of the action.