Cold Plunge, Warm People
San Francisco's favorite way to kick off the weekend.
OUR STORY
Remote work is isolating. Making friends as an adult is hard. And building a social life outside the usual Friday night routine is harder still.Many of us came to San Francisco not knowing a single person, some from other cities, some from other countries entirely. Salty Dogs started as a way to build something different. A place to meet people, form real friendships, and find a community that gives something back to the city that took us in.It started with five strangers: Stephen from Dublin, Aleksandra from Sydney, Alex from Boston, Carly from Ohio, and Jon from Wisconsin. Five people who didn't know each other decided to jump into the bay one Friday morning and never stopped.Word spread. People showed up. Strangers became regulars. Regulars became friends. Now hundreds of people show up every week. No membership fees. No agenda. Just cold water, good coffee, and the kind of community you didn't know you were looking for.Come once. You'll get it. This community is ready to welcome you.
WHERE + WHEN
📍 100 Yacht Road, San Francisco
📅 Every Friday Morning
6:20am — Runners meet to stretch.
6:30am — Runners head out (3.5-mile loop).
6:50am — Plungers arrive + coffee is set up.
7:00am — Runners return + community has arrived.
7:10am — We all get in the bay.
7:30am — Out of the water, coffee, sauna, community.
8:00am — Crowd starts to clear out.
8:30am — Fully packed down.
FIRST TIME?
Everything you need to know to show up.Bathing suit. Towel. Layers. Coffee cup. Great attitude ✅Bring friends, bring family, or come completely solo. So many people have bravely shown up alone and left with a new friend and plans for next week.When you arrive, introduce yourself. We genuinely want to meet you. Look out for our incredible volunteer organizers: Marcelo, Silas, Lucy, Ellie, Roush, Ryan, and AJ (the SaunaMan). They're the ones whose hard work and dedication make Friday mornings look effortless.Please be sure you read our full Safety Notice before attending.
SAFETY NOTICE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISKPlease read this in full before attending.Cold water immersion in San Francisco Bay carries serious and potentially fatal risks. By attending any Salty Dogs Club SF event, you acknowledge and accept all of the following.Known hazards include cold shock, hypothermia, cardiac arrest, and drowning. San Francisco Bay presents additional dangers including strong and unpredictable tidal currents, limited underwater visibility, active boat and vessel traffic, and the presence of marine wildlife.Do not enter the water if you have or suspect you may have a heart condition, high blood pressure, respiratory illness, epilepsy, or any medical condition that may be adversely affected by cold water immersion or physical exertion. Do not participate if you have consumed alcohol, drugs, or any substance that may impair your physical ability or judgment. If you are uncertain whether participation is safe for you, consult a licensed physician before attending.Salty Dogs Club SF is a volunteer-run, unincorporated community group. We are not a licensed sporting organization. We do not provide and make no representation of providing lifeguards, water safety personnel, medical staff, safety equipment, or any form of supervision. Participation is entirely voluntary.Neither Salty Dogs Club SF, nor its founders, organizers, volunteers, or members, accepts any liability whatsoever for injury, illness, death, loss of property, or any other harm arising directly or indirectly from participation in any club activity, including but not limited to cold water immersion, running, or attendance at any club event.By attending, you confirm that you are voluntarily choosing to participate, that you are in adequate physical condition to do so, that you have read and fully understood this notice, and that you assume full, sole, and unconditional responsibility for your own safety and wellbeing.If you do not accept these terms, please do not enter the water.
SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY
1. The Salty Dogs Hoodie
Want to support the club? Every hoodie sold goes straight back into the community. Designed in San Francisco. Worn all over the bay and beyond.When it comes to sizing, our hoodies are unisex, made from 80% cotton and 20% recycled polyester. Oversized fit, no drawcords, double needle topstitch, and under 5% shrinkage. Built to last.Size guide (chest measurement in inches)
| Size | Chest | Body Length |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 20" | 27" |
| Medium | 22" | 28" |
| Large | 24" | 29" |
| Extra Large | 26" | 30" |
Made to order in batches, so every hoodie is accounted for before we place the order. Allow 4 to 8 weeks from order close to pickup at the plunge. Need multiple sizes? Place a separate order per size.
2. Donate
Running this community can cost upwards of $100 each Friday, which covers things like coffee supplies, equipment, and logistics, funded entirely out of our own pockets. If Friday mornings mean something to you, even a small contribution goes a long way. Every cent goes straight back into the community.
GET INVOLVED
There's more behind the scenes than most people realise. From setup to logistics, and outreach to community management. It takes a real team to make your Friday mornings feel special.If you want to help us build this incredible community, reach out at [email protected]. Bonus points if you're a regular, already showing up every Friday.
WORK WITH US
We're selective about who we partner with because our community's trust is not for sale. That said, we're genuinely open to brands, communities, and collaborators who share our values and want to add something real to our communities Friday morning.Whether you're a brand, another community, or a journalist, if you think there's something worth exploring, we'd love to hear from you.Email us at [email protected]