Beach Weekend Packing List

The summer of road trips is well underway! With the travel limitations caused by COVID more of us are choosing to travel domestically and weekend beach trips are a top choice. With over 95,000 miles of shoreline in the US, there is no shortage of incredible beach destinations just waiting to be explored.

From day trips, to long weekends, and week-long vacations; we’ve got you covered with all the essentials to pack for your next beach trip. So get some sun, hit the water, and explore all the beautiful beaches the US has to offer!

Beach Packing List

We’ve written this guide based on a long weekend so scale the quantity of items listed up or down depending on your trip duration.

Clothing

Casual and light will be your go to clothing for a beach trip. One of the best parts of visiting a beach town is the laid back atmosphere, and that directly translates to the clothes you should pack. Unless you have a specific occasion there’s no need to bring anything formal.

Remember to pack light-weight, breathable fabric whenever possible. Even for clothes you aren’t necessarily wearing on the beach, comfort is king when you’re relaxing in a beach town.

• Multiple T-shirts for everyday use (moisture-wicking fabric is always a great option)
• 1 long sleeve shirt (we recommend linen for when it gets humid)
• 1 sweater for cool nights
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 1 hat
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 pair of running shoes
• 2-3 pairs of socks
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1-2 swimsuits
• 2-3 pairs of underwear

• 2 sports bras
• 1 sundress

Travel Gear

Primary bag:

Your clothing might be casual but a road trip to the beach is the perfect opportunity to break out a stylish weekender bag. The DamnDog Over Gear Box Duffel was our most recent choice as we didn’t need to worry about the carryon size compliance and with it being in our hands or car, we weren't worried about it getting dirty or roughed up in a cargo hold.

A duffel bag or travel bag between 25-30 liters is perfect for a long weekend and 30-35 liters for a trip closer to a week. Duffels are great options for a road trip bag; they open wide making it easy to pack and organize, they look great, and they’re really convenient to use. This bag isn’t going to get roughed around in a cargo hold or get dirty so it's a great opportunity to use a stylish, high quality weekend duffel bag.

We always recommend organizing your clothes in packing cubes for an extra level of organization. This is particularly useful for keeping your dirty (or sandy) clothes separated from the clean ones.

Daypack:

Include a lightweight daypack to carry all of your daily gear to the beach. Approximately 15 liters should be the perfect size to carry a towel, water bottle, snacks, books, and whatever else you need for a day in the sun.

Get one that’s made from durable nylon that’s easy to clean. Unlike your primary bag, your beach weekend daypack will most likely get wet and dirty in the sand, so prioritize one that can easily be cleaned at the end of the trip and that you won’t mind it sitting in the sun, getting wet, and covered in sand.

A packable daypack is a great option because it folds up into a small, self contained carrying case when not in use, making it easy to toss in your bag.

Accessories:

Water Bottle - A long day in the sun and surf will leave you parched so pack at least one leak proof water bottle. Again, consider the fact that it will likely get dirty and sandy so consider a well made plastic or metal bottle that’s easy to clean.

Towel - No surprises here, grab your favorite beach towel before heading out. Invest in a great beach towel that you can use over and over again, unlike a regular bath towel, a beach towel is longer so you can lay out on it. A microfiber travel towel is a fantastic option because it dries quickly and doesn’t collect sand, and at the end of the day it can pack down much smaller than a traditional towel.

Waterproof Pouch - Keep your phone, keys, and cash safe from water and sand with a waterproof pouch.

Beach Hat - There’s a beach hat style for everyone. From a wide full brim to a baseball cap, the most important thing is getting one that’s lightweight and breathable so that it's comfortable to wear all day while keeping the sun off your head and face.

Our exclusive Flashpacker snapback is beach-ready! Its light & breathable, and the warm air & humidity contributes to the beautiful patina on the leather patch.

Toiletries

Your regular toiletry items for a long weekend including toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant.

Include some moisturizer to soothe your skin after long days in the sun, and of course load up on sunscreen. Bug spray is also worth packing for the evenings.

Keep it all organized in a spacious toiletry bag. Because it's staying safe in your hotel or AirBnb this is another great opportunity to mix style with function.

Electronics

Your electronics list should be pretty light for a weekend at the beach. If you’re going to be working at your beach destination check out our Digital Nomad guide which includes all the gear you’ll need to work and travel.

E-reader - An e-reader is a great option to cut down on the weight of books. Keep it safe in your waterproof pouch at the beach.

Camera - Based on personal preference.

Laptop - Even if you aren’t working, there’s no harm bringing a laptop. While it wont get used during your days on the beach it might be helpful in the evening for streaming music or Netflix.

Retractable HDMI Cable - After a long day at the beach, relax with your favorite Netflix show. An HDMI cable will let you plug your laptop into the TV so you can watch it on the big screen.

Power Bank - If you’re spending long days on the beach, especially if you’re playing music through your portable speaker, you could be draining your phone battery pretty quickly. A durable power bank can keep you out on the beach all day with no power concerns.

Beach Weekend Road Trip

Continue making the most of this summer of road trips in the beautiful sand and surf. With so many options, often just hours away, take in the beauty of the extensive US coastlines and shorelines with a beach weekend.