Manzanita Polar Plunge

On New Year’s Day, locals and visitors alike, gather in swimwear at the beach below Neahkahnie Mountain and then join together to make a mad dash into the Pacific Ocean.

A popular custom of this dunk is coming in costume; but be sure to bring some dry, warm clothing to change into after you swim in the ocean.

Afterward, you can huddle around a bonfire on the beach and feel proud of yourself for taking part in this renewing exercise. Organized by locals, the first plunge, held in 2004, saw about a dozen participants. Today, hundreds of people join in from across the state and even the world.