| Planning a summer road trip where you'll hit a lot | | | | burned your scalp can get, even with a full head |
| of beaches along a coast? You'll need a beach | | | | of hair. |
| vacation packing list to make sure you don't | | | | - Sandals and flip-flops for the beach. |
| forget anything. | | | | - Beach cover-ups/outfits for each day and a |
| You've got lots of options as far as what coast | | | | fresh outfit for every evening. If you want to |
| and where on it you will travel, but your beach | | | | minimize clothes, just pack a fresh t-shirt/top for |
| vacation packing will need to change depending on | | | | the evening. |
| the temperature where you're going. A coastal | | | | - Sweatshirts, sweaters, and light jackets for |
| trip up to Maine is very different from a trip along | | | | cooler nights. |
| the coast of Southern California. | | | | - One or more sun umbrellas unless you know |
| Ready to hit the road and enjoy some fun in the | | | | that every beach you'll be visiting offers rentals. |
| sun? | | | | No matter how much sunscreen you slather on, |
| Beach Vacation Packing List: General Stuff/Any | | | | it's rarely enough for a whole day in the sun and |
| Climate | | | | playing in the waves, so sitting in the shade of |
| - Maps and printed out directions for your route. | | | | your umbrella can make all the difference. |
| Get a GPS system if you can - it can be a great | | | | - Large beach bag with lip balm with sunscreen, |
| help if you get lost or just want to find | | | | sunscreen of all SPF's, napkins, and cash for |
| something, like a pizza place. | | | | concession stands. Put some hair elastics in the |
| - Printed out hotel confirmations/reservation | | | | bag for anyone with long hair so that they can pull |
| information for anything you've booked for your | | | | it back when it's hot or windy (or both). |
| trip. | | | | - Lots of reading - books, magazines, and |
| - Both a first-aid kit and a roadside emergency kit | | | | newspapers. This is a trip where you really get a |
| including a flashlight with fresh batteries. Get AAA | | | | chance to read (assuming you're into reading). |
| if you don't have it- not only is it great for | | | | - MP3 players with headphones/Earbuds. |
| roadside assistance and other issues with your | | | | - Disposable cameras. Never bring your digital |
| vehicle, most hotels offer discounts to AAA | | | | camera (or laptop) to the beach because the salt |
| members. | | | | air will gum all the parts up and destroy it. |
| - Every kind of charger you need for your cell | | | | - Inflatable toys/mattresses and boogie boards |
| phones, digital cameras, etc. Load up anything that | | | | for playing in the waves. Other beach games are |
| requires batteries with fresh ones so you don't | | | | also great to bring along. |
| have to waste time on your trip stopping to buy | | | | Beach Vacation Packing List: Cool/Cold Climate |
| them. | | | | - Unless you enjoy swimming in freezing cold |
| - Clothes for every day of your trip, sleepwear, | | | | water, you'll only need one bathing suit. If you |
| underwear and socks. Pack no more than three | | | | love a brisk swim among the icebergs, you'll need |
| pairs of shoes (pick ones that will go with almost | | | | two and you'll also need to bring a bottle of |
| everything) and make sure one pair is a good pair | | | | Woolite/gentle soap for washing your suits. |
| of walking shoes. | | | | - For the occasional invigorating dip in the ocean, |
| - All toiletries and other grooming materials. Put | | | | pack one large towel for each person. |
| things that might leak in plastic sealable bags. Don't | | | | - Pack a lot of layers when selecting your outfits. |
| forget any prescriptions you might need. | | | | T-shirts, light pullover/fleeces, heavy sweaters, |
| - Swiss Army knife or all the tools it includes - a | | | | jackets, shorts, jeans and other long pants are all |
| small knife, corkscrew, bottle opener, and scissors. | | | | items you can bring and then layer depending on |
| - Rain ponchos for those occasional rainy days. | | | | the weather. The temperature can change |
| - Two coolers, one large one for your trip (filled | | | | frequently during the day so plan accordingly. |
| with snacks, meals and beverages), and one | | | | - Pack lots of socks - from thinner cotton ones |
| smaller one to tote to the beach. | | | | to thicker warm ones. |
| - Big blanket for when you're cold or to use as a | | | | - Sunscreen - make sure to wear this even if |
| picnic blanket/beach blanket. Pillows if anyone in | | | | you're not spending all day on the beach. As you'll |
| your group likes to nap. | | | | probably spend more time engaged in other |
| - A pair of sunglasses for everyone in the group. | | | | activities, it's unlikely you'll spend enough time in |
| - For those who need glasses and contacts, pack | | | | the sun as to end up with sunburn, so you can |
| them along with all the necessary drops and | | | | probably skip packing the sunburn remedies. |
| cleaning fluids. | | | | - Sneakers and socks will probably be used more |
| Beach Vacation Packing List: Hot Climate | | | | than flip flops, which most people will find too cold. |
| - Bathing suits - at least two. Bring just one and it | | | | - If you're planning to hike some of the northern |
| will always be cold and damp when you put it on. | | | | parks, pack hiking boots, thick socks, and a |
| Plus, you'll need to wash it regularly, making it | | | | compass. Make sure to bring your cell phone in |
| even slower to dry. | | | | case you get lost. Grabbing a trail map (and |
| - Woolite/gentle soap for washing bathing suits. | | | | sticking to marked trails) is the best way to avoid |
| - Beach towels - two for each person. Why? Just | | | | getting lost in the first place. |
| like bathing suits, towels don't always dry as fast | | | | - It's a good idea to figure out one activity for |
| as we'd like them to, so having an extra is | | | | every day above and beyond the beaches, which |
| essential. | | | | will only take a small amount of time to visit as it |
| - Sunscreen, aloe gel, and other sunburn remedies. | | | | will be fairly cold. Whether you're exploring local |
| Bring some, but don't stress about having all that | | | | sights or participating in outdoor activities and |
| you need - all of these items are readily available | | | | sports, you'll be sure to have a really fun vacation. |
| in any drugstore. | | | | Now you've got everything you need for a |
| - Hats are a good idea - you'd be amazed at how | | | | wonderful summer road trip! |