How to Take a Day Trip to the Beach

Looking for a little fun in the sun? Take a break from your hectic schedule and spend a day at the beach where you can rest, relax and re-energize. All you need are a few beach essentials that will help you wile away the time lounging under the sun. Half the battle is making sure you have everything you need in your beach bag. Once you pack up your gear, you are ready to enjoy the balmy ocean breezes and water. Here are a few tips to get you going.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Bathing suit
• Hat
• Towels
• Blankets
• Reading material
• iPod
• Beach chair
• Beach umbrella
• Beach bag
• Portable cooler
• Various sporting equipment

1. Choose a beach where you will feel comfortable. Decide on the atmosphere of the beach you want to visit. Some beachgoers prefer a social scene, with loud music, volleyball nets and tiki bars a stone’s throw from the surf. Others prefer a relaxed family oriented scene with young children building sandcastles or a beach that is calming and attracts nature enthusiasts.

2. Check for beach access fees. Depending where you live, some beaches require access fees to sit on the beach ranging anywhere from $5.00 to $7.00 for the day. Many beaches have limited space and will charge a parking lot fee for your vehicle.

3. Contact the Visitor’s Center or the Chamber of Commerce for the beach you want to visit. They can give you the latest news on events and happenings in the area.

4. Pack a beach bag. You will need to bring the following items: a bathing suit, sun block, sunglasses, hat, towels and blankets, sandals or flip-flops, an extra change of clothes, books and magazines, and an iPod or radio.

5. Bring beach equipment. For comfort, you will need to bring a beach chair, a beach umbrella and a portable cooler for food and drinks. For sporting activities, you can bring a surf board, a boogie board, an inflatable raft, flippers, a wet suit, a rashguard or any other sporting equipment you use, like a fishing rod, for example.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not risk too much sun exposure, protect your skin from powerful UV rays with an SPF sunscreen.