Summer is the time for cookouts, swimming pools and beach vacations! Last year, more than 30 million people traveled on each of the major summer holidays--Memorial Day, The 4th of July and Labor Day.
If you're thinking about taking your family to the beach this summer, planning is the key to a successful trip.
Step 1: Choosing Your Beach
Many different factors may play into where you decide to vacation this summer. And chances are, the activities you're interested in can be found near a beach. Like to golf? Maybe Hilton Head is for you. Looking for history? The beaches near Norfolk are close to a variety of military memorials. Want to visit a volcano? Take flight to Hawaii.
One good place to start is with "Dr. Beach's" annual guide to America's Best Beaches. Every year, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University, releases his ranking of the best beaches in the country. The list comes out on Memorial Day. Last year's winners were:
1. Poipu Beach Park, Hawaii
2. St Joseph Peninsula State Park, Florida
3. Kaanapali, Hawaii
4. Hanalei Beach, Hawaii
5. Caladesi Island State Park, Florida
6. Fort Desoto Park, Florida
7. Hamoa, Hawaii
8. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
9. Cape Florida SRA, Florida
10. East Hampton Beach, New York
11. Westhampton Beach, New York
12. Makena State Park, Hawaii
13. Siesta Beach, Florida
14. Coast Guard Beach, Massachusetts
15. Hanauma Bay, Hawaii
16. St George Island State Park, Florida
17. Perdido Key, Florida/Alabama
18. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
19. Carpinteria City Beach, California
20. Long Beach Island, New Jersey
Step 2: Calling Ahead
Once you've decided where you want to go and have found, either through a travel agent or on the Internet, a couple of possible hotels, call ahead to make sure your destination is family friendly.
If you have very small children, ask about the availability of cribs in the room. Many resorts have special children's activities that will keep your kids entertained. And, if you want to spend some one-on-one time with your significant other, ask ahead of time if you can book a babysitter through the hotel.
Step 3: Hit the Beach!
You've finally gotten to your destination and it's time to put on the bathing suit and flip flops and head for the beach. A little extra planning will go a long way toward ensuring a successful day in the sand.
Here's a handy list of things to make sure you pack:
The Basics
- ID and medical insurance cards
- Cash, credit card and/or traveler's checks (keep a list of all relevant numbers in a separate place)
- If you wear contact lenses, be sure to bring saline solution and/or cleaner and your backup glasses
- Maps and directions
For Entertainment
- Books and magazines (choose a selection for both the kids and the adults)
- Toys and travel games
- Buckets and shovels
- Sand castle molds (you can buy them in a store or make your own out of old plastic containers in different shapes and sizes)
- Beach toys: frisbee, beach ball, paddle ball, kite
- Camera and film
- Something to gather shells in!
Beach Essentials
- Sweatshirt or light jacket for when the day turns cooler
- If you are wearing your bathing suit to the beach, be sure to bring underwear to wear home if your suit is wet
- Beach towels
- Cover-ups or T-shirts to put on when you've had enough sun
- Baseball caps or wide-brim hats
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Sandals (rubber, plastic or waterproof are best)
- Waterproof sunscreen
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Body lotion for after-sun
- Insect repellent
- Anti-itch cream for bug bites
- Cooler with plenty of water and other beverages and snacks
- Quilt or blanket to spread on the beach
- Plastic bag for wet bathing suits and clothes
Leave at Home!
- Take your hotel key, but, leave your car and house keys safely stored in the hotel.
- Don't take itineraries or airplane tickets to the beach where they can be lost.