Summer is just around the corner. What screams summer more than a trip to the beach? While the Oregon coast doesn’t exactly have swimming conditions like other beaches might have, there are still plenty of activities to make an Oregon beach trip worthwhile. The key is being prepared. Here are some tips to create the perfect day at the beach.
The right time and place
Most of my tips boil down to being well-prepared. The very first thing I recommend is planning out what day to go. Especially in Oregon, the weather is unpredictable. It can go from rainy and cloudy to sunny in an instant. One way to avoid this to your best ability is to pick out the day by searching the weather. If you like a blazing day, wait for a day forecasted to be sunny with no clouds. If you are a part of the select few that like the rain and clouds, then Oregon is perfect for you. Pick out a day that is predicted to have the weather you prefer. Arrival time is also important when heading to the beach. If you decide to go to a busier destination, you might have to fight with crowds. To avoid this, pick out a less popular beach or go earlier.
Be prepared
Again, preparation is key. I think a day bag is essential to enjoying a day at the beach. Some beach-specific things I recommend include a towel or blanket to lay down on, sunscreen, and sunglasses. I would usually recommend a change of clothes and a pair of goggles if you want to swim, but frankly, I can’t even dip my toes in the water in Oregon because it is so cold. If you’re going in a group and want to move around a bit, toss a frisbee or a football in your bag. Whatever you decide to bring for the day, make sure to pack light. There is nothing more annoying than being weighed down by your bag, especially on a more active day when you’re walking around a lot. Even when packing light, you can’t forget the most important thing to pack for the day: food.
Food on the ready
No day trip is complete without snacks. If you are just planning to visit the coast for half a day, snacks will keep your energy up and make sure that no one gets hangry while you’re out. Usually, when my friends and I go to the beach for the day, we’ll stop by a grocery store or convenience store to pick up a couple of drinks, bags of chips, and candy. Going with a group of people also makes this chore more fun and your group can coordinate which snacks you want. You can also make things more aesthetic by packing a little picnic basket and having everyone bring something they made. Again, you should pack light so maybe leave the watermelon at home. If you are planning on staying for a full day, then you might want to look up restaurants to eat at. There’s nothing worse than not having somewhere to eat and everyone is cranky and tired. That’s how friendships end. To avoid that, just have a list of restaurants ready to go when you start to feel hungry.
People are usually split between two groups: those who love going to the beach and those who hate going to the beach. I’m guessing those in the latter group probably stopped reading at the first mention of beaches. But if by chance you kept reading, why don’t you give it another try? With the perfect beach day itinerary, you might be converted into a beach-lover!
