5/01

On typical summer days at Stinson Beach, there will be a few women sporting thong-style bikinis, but bare female breasts are extremely few and far between. When it occurs, toplessness is usually confined to the far southern end of the beach.

When I go, I lay on my stomach first, and unclasp my top. When I am feeling comfortable, typically after about 15 minutes or so, I will roll over on my back. About half the time there is no reaction at all, but other times there are the typical responses, like people just saying "WHOA!" and "that girl's topless!?" Then, almost always, guys will wander slowly by or stop to gawk--99% are totally well-behaved.

If I am feeling particularly comfortable or bold, I will sometimes sit-up or even walk-around while topfree. This invariably draws the attention of almost everyone in site, but typically the reaction is not hostile--people are just surprised. On the one occasion that I have been confronted by a lifeguard, all he told me was that he'd have to have me put my top back on if anyone complained. No one did!

The bottom line is that it seems OK for women to wear g-string bottoms and discretely tan their breasts toward the southern part of Stinson Beach.

--Shawna