Summer’s far from over here in Ventura. Sure, technically, the autumn equinox might be right around the corner. But anyone who has spent any time in Ventura County knows that September and October serve up some of our best beach days.
When we head out to enjoy them, everybody has their own unique beach style. Maybe you sling a towel over your shoulders and hit the sand. Or maybe you spend a considerable amount of time carefully packing for your day on the shore.
Whether you like to travel light or make sure you’re prepared for just about everything, there are a few beach day essentials you should definitely have on hand. The good news: you can easily carry the four things we’re about to recommend in a small tote — no need to haul a heavy pack across the sand.
To make sure you can comfortably and safely enjoy your next beach day, bring these key things.
SPF 30+ and/or an umbrella
If you’re going to be spending any length of time at the beach, sun protection is a must. About 15 minutes of direct sunlight can give you some vitamin D, but it’s time to shield yourself from the sun’s potentially harmful UV rays after that. If you don’t, you risk premature skin aging and skin cancer.
If sunscreen is your preferred way to go, make sure you choose one with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Reapply regularly throughout the day. The label on your sunscreen bottle should tell you how often to re-up.
Some people don’t like the feel of sunscreen or the hassle of reapplying. If that sounds like you, bring an umbrella with you. This doesn’t have to be a major endeavor. Beach umbrellas that screw into the sand can be lightweight and compact while still giving you the shield you need from the sun.
Reusable water bottle
The beach is not a good place to get dehydrated. But it’s also not a good place to bring plastic trash that could potentially harm marine life.
Fortunately, a reusable water bottle can give you the H2O you need while keeping fish and turtles safe. Plus, an insulated option can keep your hydration cold during a hot day.
Somewhere to sit
Unless you like plunking down directly on the sand, you’ll probably want to bring something to keep yourself comfortable. Terry towels tend to trap sand, so you might be better off with a tightly woven blanket or a lightweight Turkish towel. Bonus: the latter will dry faster than a traditional beach towel.
If you don’t mind hauling it down the beach, a foldable chair can take your beach day setup to the next level. You might even want to look for one that has a cup holder for the aforementioned water bottle.
Something to do
Simply sitting and enjoying the sound of the waves might be enough for you. But if you’re taking a solo beach day and plan to be there a while, consider packing a book or a magazine.
If your beach day involves a crew of people, think about bringing some activities you can all enjoy together. A few tried-and-true options include:
- Boogie boards
- Skimboards
- Spike ball
- Tools for making sandcastles
We hope you enjoy your day at the beach! You’ll probably reap some mental health benefits from it, too.
If you’d like even more support for your mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center today.
