How to Pack for a Weeklong Getaway in a Beach Bag

What I packed in a beach bag for a summertime week at the beach

Multi-functional items are the name of the light packing game. Everything needs to serve an intentional purpose and preferably dual purposes.

When I refer to "zone" packing, that means TSA has already decided how much space you can have for liquids and that is no more than one quart sized plastic bag. Liquids are very clearly defined, so that means lip gloss, deodorant, contact disinfectant, makeup remover, liquid makeup including foundation and eyeliner, toothpaste, mouthwash and anything else you need for your toiletries. I used a second quart bag for electronic components such as two camera battery chargers, spare camera cards and a phone charger cable plus I packed a third bag for non-liquid toiletries. Three zones. If it doesn't fit into the designated zone, it's staying behind. Additional zones included items I put into the exterior mesh beach bag pockets, interior zipped pocket for my keys, list of passwords, extra cash and private items, my carry on jacket pockets and the main compartment of the beach bag.

The airlines decide how big a personal item is. For me flying on Allegiant, that means my free personal item must be no larger than 18" high X 8" deep x 14" wide or you can be charged as a carry-on item and not as a free personal item. Plus the item must fit underneath the seat in front of you. My actual beach bag dimensions are 16" high X 6" deep X 22" at the widest point. Allegiant permits one personal item, one jacket, one collapsible umbrella, one book or newspaper and one small bag for prescription medication if needed. I was nervous that my beach bag would not be accepted as a personal item, but I had no problems on either leg of the trip.

One place to never ever compromise is your eye care products. Bring the smallest allowable amount possible of contact disinfectant and contact cleaner, but always bring it in the original packaging. No one wants to risk an eye infection by pouring your eye care  products into a container that may or may not be sterile.

Below is a list of what I packed into my beach bag. I don't know how much it weighed on the way to my destination, but it was 19 pounds when I arrived at home. That's a lot!

T-shirts X 4 + 1 more souvenir t-shirt for return trip

Sports shorts X 2 (shorts double for sleepwear with a t-shirt and swimwear as desired)

Yoga pants X 2 (comfortable for going out or worn as loungewear)

Socks X 3 pairs

Flip flops X 1 pair

Undies X 4

Cell phone charger cord X 1

Quart size bag of toiletries: liquid, such as lip gloss, liquid makeup and eyeliner, deodorant, contact lens disinfectant, makeup remover, shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.

Quart size bag of toiletries: non-liquid such as tooth brush, cotton squares, 3" square mirror with magnifier on one side, tweezers, eye shadow, eyebrow pencil, contact lens case, eye shadow brushes and so forth

Brimmed sun hat X 1

Baseball cap X 3 + 1 additional souvenir cap

Sunglasses X 1

Prescription glasses X 1

Reading glasses X 1

Hardback book X 1 (did not bring home to save space)

Magazine X 1 (did not bring home to save space)

Kids coloring books X 2 (I left these in the condo for guests)

Wallet, compact style with driver's license, cash in bills only, no change, three credit cards and nothing else

Canon camera with lens X 2

Camera battery charger X 2

Kindle X 1 (did not bring home to save space)

Snack sized bag of garlic salt (the TSA agent whispered to me "What is this?" -- fair enough, I should have labeled it)

Snack sized bag of Creole salt seasoning

Small compact green cloth backpack X 1

Small yellow compact micro canvas beach bag X 1

Snack sized bag with dried apricots X 1 (consumed during my stay)

Snack sized bag with peanuts X 1 (consumed during my stay)

Snack sized bag with about 2-3 oz dried pasta X 1 (consumed during my stay)

Car keys

Small amount of OTC meds in case they were needed

Digital thermometer X 1 just in case

Plastic bags X 4 or 5

Plastic grocery sized bag X 1

Backpack cooler (orange and white) that I purchased while at the beach (return trip only)

What I wore/carried on the plane

A note about my strategy to layer a tank top under a zip up top: I was NOT prepared to be asked to remove the zip up top for the airport security screening. TSA considers it a "jacket" and I will not do that again because the flimsy tank was never intended to be worn solo. For the return trip home, I wore a t-shirt for the airport screening check and then changed into the zip up top prior to boarding the plane.

Yoga pants X 1

Zip up top X 1

Tank top X 1

Undergarments

Walking shoes X 1 pair

Socks X 1 pair

Cell phone X 1

Jacket X 1 that I carried onto the plane which is allowed per airline policy. The pockets were stuffed with socks and undies and that created a special check by TSA. I definitely won't stuff the pockets as much for the next trip.

What I left behind

Collapsible umbrella

My strategy: don't go outdoors or head indoors if rain is imminent. It rained while I was at the beach, but I could see the storms rolling in and planned accordingly.

Food/Snacks

I bought all of my meals from local restaurants and walked back to the condo with half of my meals to eat for a second meal of leftovers. Planning ahead was super important. The closest restaurant was half a mile each way and the furthest place I patronized was a mile each way. Walking to the restaurants was not fun in hot weather with a 104 degree heat index. Walking back to in 104 degree temps was much worse because I was carrying my purchases in the orange and white back pack that I purchased at the tasting room the first day of my stay. I made sure I was back in my condo before sunset in most cases except a couple of evenings where it was after dark when I walked back. Not the best idea, but I took a calculated risk.

There was no snack vending machine on site, so that didn't work out as planned. There were times I was hungry for a snack or dessert, but that inspired me to buy an $8.00 bag of gourmet palm tree pasta from the tasting room so I could eat it for breakfast or a snack. I ordered a take-out bowl of gumbo and it included several packs of saltines which was a much appreciated snack. I also chased down an ice cream truck one afternoon to devour an ice cream sandwich, so good!

Fresh fruit was not readily available anywhere so a few green salads and an ear of street corn had to replace fruit during my week at the beach.

Beverages/Insulated Cups

I purchased beverages from restaurants, an on site vending machine and a local tasting room. I love filtered water, but gave that up and settled for beachy gulf tap water on lots of ice. Even with a lot of ice, it was strictly functional. I was slightly dehydrated most of the week, truth be told.

I did not pack any insulated cups, my mainstay at home. Too much weight and space to justify a 32 oz tumbler. I was fortunate there was a large plastic travel style beverage container in the condo that I used at the beach. In hindsight, one larger sized insulated cup would be wise in the future.

I don't drink coffee, but if you do, be prepared to walk somewhere to get any and/or pack your own coffee beans.

Bulky attire

Making a fashion statement when packing a week of clothing in a beach bag isn't ever going to be my number one priority. I left bulky, heavy articles of clothing at home. No jeans, casual cropped jeans style pants or bulky sweatshirts for me. However, IF you prefer jeans or dressier clothes pack them or wear them on the plane if you like. A jacket is perfect for cooler evenings and/or sit under a beach towel if you just need a little warmth in the evenings.

Portable phone charger

My husband questioned not taking a portable phone charger and I didn't think it was necessary because there are charging ports in the alarm clocks at the condo. I admit I regret not taking the portable charger and won't make that mistake again. I spent many hours in the airport not using my phone so I wouldn't drain the battery. Next time, bring the portable charger!