Christmas Tree Hill is at the top of the hill where Tamalpias Blvd. meets Corte Madera ave. in Corte Madera. Though the drive up is steep and winding, the view is worth the trip park at the top and walk 100 yards to the rock on the right of the trail. This view is especially beautiful at night.

Volley Bonk is a game that I stumbled upon while driving though the mission one evening. It looked like so much fun that I pulled over the car and joined in. It is essentially volleyball that is played on a tennis court with a yoga ball. This particular group plays every sunday from eight thirty to ten in Dolores Park. Drop ins are welcomed and you are sure to have a terrific time.

Pink Saturday is San Francisco’s largest, gayest, and most fun street party. 500,000 people gather in the Castro for a night of debauchery, dancing, and nudity. It is held Saturday the night before pride at Castro and Market. Bring your fun shoes.

The Drawbridge Jump is a large train bridge that has been inactively sitting between highway 101 and the Larkspur Ferry terminal for as long as I can remember. Those who frequent Marin are surely familiar with this bizarre structure. You can climb onto the railway from either the land (by the road) or the water (where the bridge goes up). Although we have never measured the jump I estimate it to be around 55 or 60 ft. Note that this is into salt water and can be very painful if not landed smoothly. Climbing up the bridge is not difficult do to it’s tilted nature and when you reach the top there is a nice platform on to stand or sit and contemplate whether jumping still seems like a good idea. There is also a rumor regarding a pole in the water; not true. In my experience i have not even been able to swim to the bottom of the landing area but tides do fluctuate so it would not be a terrible idea to go for a swim and check it out for yourself.

Giant Soccer is a sport that is played like regular soccer with an exercise ball and slightly different rules. What you will need is and exercise ball like the one above at least six people and a pitch. Turf fields like the ones at almost all Marin County high schools work best. The goals, which should already be there for you, are lighter than they look and can be moved to make the field the perfect size (or shape?).

The rules:

• After the national anthem has played, all players assemble in the middle of the pitch touching the ball in anticipation of the whistle.
• Players can hit, scoop, kick, head, dribble or sit on the ball
• Players can NOT pick up, throw, grab, or hold the ball (these hold true even if you play with goalies)

Note:

• Do not mix this sport with drinking because there is a good deal of running involved
• Though giant soccer is most enjoyable after dark, it should be noted that it is illegal to be on most high school campuses after dark. If the police do decide to crash your party (another reason not to mix with drinking) do not fret. They are usually content to just tell you to leave.

The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival is an enormous music festival held annually for the last nine years in Golden Gate Park. It is generously put on by a rather wealthy member of the bay and is, consequently, free to all. This three-day festival held in October features a large variety of performers across six stages. A few notable past performers include Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Elvis Costello, Bella Fleck, Gogol Bordello and even an appearance by MC Hammer. What more need I say? The phrase “free music festival” speaks for itself.

Sunsquad is a sacred ceremony that embodies that essence of this blog. It is a sure way to turn a great night into an unforgettable adventure. Gather a group of willing and able people and commit to spending the entire night traveling the Bay and doing fun things in search of the sunrise. Select several of the activities and places mentioned below, mix in some ideas of your own imagining, and set off on your quest.

What you will need:

• Committed people with positive attitudes
• A vehicle
• Warm layers
• A good mix CD