ShermansTravel: Top 10 Nude Vacation Destinations (PHOTOS)

Here's a simple way to avoid those pesky airline baggage fees: Don't pack clothes.

Travel to clothing-optional destinations and events is on the rise, as more hotels, resorts, and even cruises are catering to guests who want to strip down. But the trend goes beyond aging hippies lounging around '70s-style campsites or risqué resorts in the Caribbean, nudist vacations are increasingly popular among all types of travelers and in some very unexpected places. According to the American Association of Nude Recreation, Nude vacationing is more relaxing, relieves stress and offers travelers a welcome respite from the (fully-clothed) crowds.

Here, we give you the top 10 nude vacations, along with some bare facts about clothing-optional travel. Go grab a towel and get ready to let it all hang out - just make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen.

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This 7.46-mile race, one of the most popular in the world, is as famous for what some runners are wearing (outrageous, elaborate costumes) as what others aren’t (clothing). Traversing San Francisco from east to west, the event takes place on the third weekend of May and draws tens of thousands of entrants, many of whom trot the course in the buff. In recent years, alcohol has been officially prohibited, and city officials have started cracking down on public nudity, too. But that hasn’t curbed the diehards, who even have their own running group, Bare to Breakers (baretobreakers.com), which welcomes newbie nudies. If you want to run, make sure to sign up early – the race, which draws about 100,000 runners, sold out in 2011 (registration for the 2012 running will open by January 1, 2012; zazzlebaytobreakers.com). Braver souls can try to bandit (that is, run without an official number); spectating is a sport within itself, too.

Photo: Bay to Breakers