Beach Bag Essentials.

Beach Bag Essentials.

Tracking PixelCreated in partnership with Foster Grant sunglasses

Summer has officially arrived which means it’s time to hit the beach! Whether you’re planning a coastal vacation or are just lucky enough to have a beach nearby, a well packed beach bag is a must to help you make the most of your time in the sunshine. I have definitely been guilty of not having the right items on-hand and it can totally ruin your day so this year I’m planning on having a stocked beach bag all prepped and ready to go so I can make the most of sunny San Francisco days or a day trip down the coastline.

Inspired by the recent sunshine and my new Foster Grant sunglasses, I wanted to give a little peek into my beach bag essentials for a day of fun in the sun –

Beach Bag Essentials.Beach Bag Essentials.

First up: the bag. You need something that’s roomy enough for a full day’s worth of essentials, but also stylish so you can multi-task and use it beyond beach trips (because sadly every day probably isn’t a beach day!). I love the look of a classic straw tote because it’s easy to shake the sand out of them and they’re also perfect for picnic, vintage finds from the flea market or fresh veggies from the farmer’s market.

I also have been stashing multiple pairs of sunglasses in my beach bag lately because of how often I tend to forget or misplace ’em. Foster Grant has some seriously cute styles that are all under $30 which makes it easy to play around with trendy styles (how fun are the pink lenses on this pair?!) and they offer 100% UVA-UVB protection so you’re safe even on the sunniest of days. Having a few pairs on hand also always comes in handy so you can match your shades to your swimsuit or if your friend forgets a pair!

Beach Bag Essentials.Beach Bag Essentials.

Other essentials for sun protection include a quality waterproof sunscreen, a lip balm with SPF, a hat and a waterbottle that you can easily refill throughout the day. There’s nothing worse than getting too much sun and ending up dehydrated or with a sunburn so it’s always key to remember (and remind your friends!) to reapply sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Having an extra beach towel or swim cover up can also come in handy in case the clouds roll in and the weather gets a bit chilly – moroccan towels are my fave for beach days because they don’t take up a ton of space in your beach bag, dry really quickly, and also work well as a sarong!

What are some of your beach bag essentials? Have you checked out the cute sunglass styles from Foster Grant yet? You can get 20% off a pair of your own using code FOSTER20 until 8/30!

This post was sponsored by Foster Grant and as always, all opinions are 100% honest and my own – authenticity is a top priority and I only partner with brands I truly love. Thank you for supporting the brands that partner with Pretty & Fun!

Photos by Andrea Posadas