There are few things I love more than a day at the beach — worrying only about whether the tide is going to reach my chair, as Zac Brown Band so aptly put it. And here in the DC area, we’re lucky to have so many great beaches within driving distance, making it the perfect August getaway, either for a quick weekend trip or the whole week. So whether you’re heading to the shore with friends or family, bringing the right essentials to the beach makes all the difference. Here’s what is always in my beach bag:
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a swimsuit —
The beach really wouldn’t be possible without this trifecta!
When I am out in the sun, I always wear sunscreen, opting for a high SPF and broad spectrum coverage to protect from both UVA and UVB rays. I like to stock up on body sunscreen at Target at the beginning of the season, so I always have some on hand — and in my beach bag — and grab my favorite face sunscreen, Unseen Sunscreen by Super Goop, at Ulta. For summer nights at the beach, I like to use a tinted moisturizer with SPF as my base layer of makeup to ensure I’m protected, even as the sun is setting.
When it comes to finding the perfect sunglasses and swimsuits, my first stops are always J Crew Factory and Old Navy. They have styles and selections for the whole family and usually have very on-trend, fun, and colorful options at a great price point
A Bunch of Beach Reads —
A beach day is a great day to open up a book you’ve been looking forward to reading! I always bring at least two or three with me on vacation, and if you’re worried about your physical copy getting wet or sandy, I recommend bringing a waterproof e-reader. Barnes & Noble has an incredible selection of books, with something for everyone, whether you prefer romance novels, thrillers, historical fiction, celebrity memories, or the latest bestsellers. If you’re looking for a great read to bring with you to the beach, some of my recent favorites include:
- The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer
- Wait by Gabriella Burnham
- This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
- Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
- Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
- The Women by Kristin Hannah
Plenty of Snacks + Drinks —
Having plenty of delicious snacks on hand and cold, refreshing drinks in the cooler is a non-negotiable for a great beach day. I like to stock up on my favorites at Target and Trader Joe’s, opting for crowd favorites like Sun Chips and popcorn that last all day in the heat and are easy to share. And while having water and soda in the cooler is important, too, I always save room for a bottle of wine to enjoy at happy hour — in plastic cups, of course! — picking up great summer selections at World Market.
