What to Pack in a Beach Bag: The Santa Barbara Checklist
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The beach bag essentials are a quick-drying towel, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, water and snacks, a cover-up, a warm layer for later and a bag to pack out your trash. Put them all in a roomy, washable tote and you are set for almost any beach day. Here in Santa Barbara, that warm layer matters more than people expect, because coastal evenings cool off fast.
We are Riviera Towel Co., a Turkish towel and coastal gift shop in downtown Santa Barbara, and we spend a lot of time thinking about what goes in a beach bag (and what can stay home). Here is our checklist.
What should I pack in a beach bag?
Pack the basics first: towel, sun protection, hydration, a cover-up and a layer. Then add comfort and fun extras depending on how long you are staying and who is coming with you.
The beach bag checklist
- Turkish towel (one to lie on, one to dry off with)
- Beach blanket if you are with a group
- Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
- Hat and sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Snacks that travel well
- Cover-up or sarong for lunch and the walk back
- Warm layer for late afternoon and sunset
- Phone, keys and cards in a small zip pouch
- Small bag for trash and wet things
- Book, cards or a frisbee for downtime
- Change of clothes if you are heading somewhere after
What kind of towel is best for a beach bag?
A Turkish towel is the best fit for a beach bag because it folds flat, weighs little, sheds sand easily and dries fast. Two Turkish towels take up less room than one thick terry towel.
The Essential Turkish Towel (from $29.98) is our everyday pick. If you want a souvenir that works hard, the LOVE from Santa Barbara Beach Towels (from $48.98) are a local favorite. All of our towels are hand-loomed from Turkish cotton in Turkey, with colorways designed here in Santa Barbara. For a deeper comparison, read our guide to the best beach towels for Santa Barbara.
What is the best bag for the beach?
The best beach bag is big enough for towels and a layer, easy to shake out, and simple to wash or wipe clean. A wide-opening tote with sturdy handles beats a backpack for most beach days.
| Bag | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Beach Tote - Large | Family days, towels for everyone, a blanket | $48 |
| Essential Medio Beach Tote | One or two people, a towel and the basics | $38 |
| Amalfi Beach Tote | A coastal-style everyday beach bag | $38 |
| SB Embroidered Medio Beach Tote | A Santa Barbara souvenir you will actually use | $32 |
| Essential Messenger Bag | Hands-free carrying for a bike or walk to the beach | $28 |
Find these and more in our beach bags and totes collection. The Essential Beach Tote - Large is the one to grab when you are packing for the whole crew.
How do I pack a beach bag so it stays organized?
Pack heavy items at the bottom, towels in the middle and the things you reach for most on top. Small pouches keep sand away from your phone, keys and sunglasses.
- Bottom: water bottle, snacks and your warm layer.
- Middle: towels and blanket, folded flat.
- Top: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and your cover-up.
- Pouch: phone, keys and cards. A soft case like the Velvet Embroidered Glasses Pouch (from $34) protects sunglasses from sand.
- Separate bag: wet swimsuits and trash on the way home.
What should I bring for a cool Santa Barbara evening at the beach?
Bring a cozy throw or warm wrap, a sweater and something to sit on. Sunsets here are gorgeous, but once the sun drops, the temperature does too.
The Whistler Fleece Wrap Throw (from $68.98) is a soft layer for bonfires and sunset picnics, and a lightweight sarong like the Lucca Lightweight Scarf Sarong Wrap (from $38) works as a cover-up by day and a shoulder wrap by night. For more on cover-up styles, see our beach cover-ups guide.
What should I pack for a beach day with kids?
For kids, add extra towels, a full change of clothes, a big blanket for shade breaks, more snacks than seems reasonable and a few sand toys. A large tote makes it easier to carry everything in one trip.
Because Turkish towels are thin and light, it is easy to bring one per child plus a spare. A beach blanket like the Todos Santos Beach Blanket (from $78) gives everyone a home base. And yes, bring a hat for every small head.
What should I leave at home?
Leave bulky terry towels, glass containers, valuables you do not need and anything you would be sad to get sandy. A lighter bag is easier to carry over the sand and much easier to unpack.
Also plan to take everything back out with you. Packing a small trash bag is a simple way to help keep our beaches clean, which matters a lot to us. Read more about our ocean mission.
Where can I buy beach bags and towels in Santa Barbara?
Find beach totes, Turkish towels, blankets, hats and cover-ups at Riviera Towel Co., 17 W. Gutierrez St., just off State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, or shop online. If you are planning a day out, our Santa Barbara beaches guide can help you choose where to go.
Bags come with "mix & match 1, 2 or 3 pieces" savings, and "Buy 2, save 10%" applies automatically on Riviera towels, blankets and robes. A packed tote also makes a great gift, and we can gift wrap it with a handwritten card for $10.
FAQ
What are the essentials for a beach bag?
The essentials are a quick-drying towel, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, water, snacks, a cover-up, a warm layer and a small bag for trash and wet items.
What is the best towel to bring to the beach?
A Turkish towel is a great choice for a beach bag because it folds flat, weighs little, sheds sand easily and dries quickly.
What size beach bag do I need?
For one or two people, a medium tote is usually enough. For families or group days with blankets and extra towels, choose a large tote.
How do I keep sand out of my beach bag?
Use a tote you can shake out, keep small items in zip pouches, and shake towels out downwind before packing them. Turkish towels shed sand more easily than terry towels.
Where can I buy a beach bag in Santa Barbara?
Riviera Towel Co. at 17 W. Gutierrez St. in downtown Santa Barbara carries beach totes, Turkish towels, blankets, hats and cover-ups, and you can also shop online at rivieratowel.com.
Packing for the beach? Visit our shop at 17 W. Gutierrez St. in Santa Barbara or call 805-560-1571. We offer free shipping on orders over $95, and 5% of our net profits go to organizations that heal and protect the ocean we all love, with $76,439.30 donated so far.
