Nude awakenings in US travel

Remember the guys in college who were all about skinny dipping? Turns out their hormones may have been hinting at a naked truth... Naked travel  its not just for hormone-driven teens and hippies anymore.

While there's a certain amount of revelry associated with getting down to your skivvies in public, the nude travel were talking is more about freedom of expression and spiritual awakenings. Its about shedding the protective outer shell (both literally and figuratively) and letting real you out into the world.

We've found 3 places here in the US where you can try naked travel on for size. If youre a first-timer, go with your girlfriends or your partner - not a group of couples. And remember, taking your clothes off is the hardest part - it gets simpler and more fun after that.

A world full of yes

Burning Man, Nevada started as an annual office party for Silicon Valley execs who needed a little razzle dazzle in their otherwise corporately sterile lives. But 50,000 people (last count) committed to self-expression - and not surprisingly partying - have transformed Burning Man into a celebration of an artistic connection.

The week-long celebration is pretty much rule-less (save rules that protect the health and safety of participants). State of dress and undress is entirely up to you. Bring a towel though - they make great hats. And if you get tired of all the naked partying, bring your credit cards cause youre closer to San Francisco than you think.

Forbidden fun

The World Naked Bike Ride is Peta-like in its mission to expose the environmental dangers of vehicle emissions. This event isnt for lightweights though - the parade route is lined with fully-clothed gawkers - now in 70 cities (20 countries) around the globe. Body paint and mirrored sunglasses help. 

We actually like the idea of parking the car and hopping on the bike naked. Can you think of a crazier - or more energy efficient - way to spend your day? We can't either. Just dont forget that towel (for that narrow bike seat) or you could be taking more than memories home with you.

Baywatch style vacationing

Black's Beach in La Jolla San Diego may sound pedestrian next to the World Naked Bike Ride and Burning Man, but sometimes a girl just wants to lie on a beach and tan, right? We love the hippie-vibe of California, but Black's Beach embodies the free and easy attitude so beautifully.

Its all here - beach blanket bingo, volleyball, spontaneous barbeques and oodles of that let-it-all-hang-out attitude. Granted, not everyone here is a carbon copy of Hasselhoff and Anderson, but who cares when you're in the middle of all this fun.

Bring plenty of sunscreen. This is California and a burn on the nether regions isn't fun. Here's some directions or a Google Map link to help out.

Oh, and if you're heading to Florida, we have a few destination suggestions to get your naked on!

Got a favorite naked hot-spot? Share it with us and we may just check it out for our next naked travel story purely in the interest of research. Drop a comment below and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.