A beach vacation can be wonderfully relaxing, but packing for it beforehand can be stressful. We have shaped and re-shaped our own packing list. Today, we are sharing the beach section of that packing list with you. Here is the list of items we brought on our summer beach vacation to Crystal Cove State Park. Many items will apply to any beach visit. We also have some suggestions based on whether you are flying or driving to your location. Here are our tips for what to pack for a visit to any beach and specifically a stay in the cottages at Crystal Cove State Park.
If you have not stayed at the cottages in the charming historic district of Crystal Cove but would like to do so, check-out: How to Reserve a Beach Cottage at Crystal Cove State Park in California.
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“Big Weird Sock”
This first suggestion is a weird one, but it is a huge help at the beach. This one comes courtesy of the New York Times Wirecutter crew. Per their suggestion, we fill a large sock with cornstarch baby powder, and then store that sock in a plastic bag or two. We use the sock to—almost magically—remove wet sand from our feet and legs.
We simply rub the sock over the patches of wet sand on our skin. The baby powder absorbs moisture and the sock helps brush off the sand. This works incredibly well and is really important when we are going in and out of our cottage at Crystal Cove State Park. Bringing a container of baby powder to the beach has been a long time beach hack, but the addition of the sock brings it to a whole new level. (The Crystal Cove beach cottages also have small sand brushes stationed outside their doors, but everyone prefers the sock to the brush.)
You can read more about this big weird sock at the Wirecutter column here. If you prefer to buy your sand remover, here is a ready to go version on Amazon. Just make sure to seal the outer bag while you pack carefully for Crystal Cove. It is no fun if the sock meant to keep you clean at the beach makes a mess on all of your clothes.
Two Swim Suits
We suggest you pack two swimsuits for Crystal Cove State Park beach. If you and your fellow vacationers do not like to swim in the ocean, perhaps this tip is not for you. But, if you do like to spend your days in the waves, we suggest bringing two swimsuits (or swim trunks, rashguards, wetsuits, etc) for each person who will be swimming.
Crystal Cove State Park is a casual destination, and you may find you spend most of your day in swim gear. We like to have two swim suits so one can dry while we are wearing the other. That way we have a “fresh” one ready, plus no one likes to change back into a wet sandy swimsuit after a trip to the grocery store.
Other Clothing to Pack for Crystal Cove Cottages
We also like to pack casual clothing that is easy to pull on over our suits like quick dry shorts or simple beach cover-ups.
In terms of pajamas, we suggest ones that you feel comfortable wearing around others. You may wish to enjoy some early morning or late night time on your porch or cottage patio. Plus, if you are staying in one of the dorm units, you will want to wear something appropriate for the shared public spaces.
Speaking of the dorm units, you may want to consider bringing shower shoes and even a shower caddy like you would use in a locker room or other public bathroom.
Many people like to wear flip-flops to the beach. With the great trails and rocky tide pools at Crystal Cove State Park, we prefer sandals that are a little sturdier or even offer some toe protection. This is a situation where we like the fisherman-style Keen sandals and I personally have this pair of Reef sandals with a backstrap that I like for the beach.
Packable Beach Towels
Crystal Cove State Park only provides one set of towels to overnight guests for each four nights of your visit. They will specifically tell you that there are no fresh towels before then. Accordingly, you will not want to use your bath towels on the beach. This is also true if you are staying at a hotel: you will want to leave those bath towels for after the bath and keep them free of sand.
if you are driving to your beach destination, you can simply throw your favorite towels in the car. If you are flying or taking public transportation for your beach vacation, you may prefer to bring something compact and packable. We have these thin micro-fiber towels that have worked well for our travels. We know other people like this style of thin towel.
Shade and Sand Accessories
Shade is really nice at the beach, so consider packing some if you can! Unfortunately, traveling with a tent or umbrella is tricky, but there are alternatives. The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove State Park does rent umbrellas and beach chairs for a fee. (They also rent fire pits as part of a beach experience package.) In our case, we like to reserve Crystal Cove cottages with covered outdoor seating near the beach, and we relax there instead of under an umbrellas or in a tent.
Our littlest surfer likes to play in the sand at parks and at the beach. A year ago, we purchased this collapsible bucket and sand toys for taking to the park, the beach or just to have on hand for some surprise sand play. We recommend the same for beach-goers traveling by plane or public transportation and for anyone looking to save some space. You could also grab something like this set.
And More Sun Protection
We also make sure to bring hats, sunscreen and sunglasses for our whole crew. If the trip is a longer one, we pack just a couple days worth of sunscreen and then purchase more at our destination.
Here are some kids sunglasses we have used and like, starting with these pink sparkly sunglasses. And, here is a set of sunglasses for toddler-sized heads and here is another pair of tough youth sunglasses our adventurous kids have used and liked.
As for us adults, we have quite a few pairs of Goodr sunglasses and like how they stay put even on the sweatiest days. Goodr sunglasses are popular among runners, and they come in a variety of styles, some to accommodate large heads. Here’s their “OG” sunglasses in black. Also in the category of sunglasses for active folks, we like Sifosi shades as well. Here’s a sporty pair of sunglasses for adults and here’s another tough pair of Sifosi sunglasses for grown-ups.
Kitchen Supplies For Your Crystal Cove Cottage
The sweet vintage kitchens in the Crystal Cove Beach cottages are lovely, but they offer limited supplies. All cottages have a microwave and refrigerator with a freezer. In our experience, a toaster is also included. Only the ADA units have electric cooktops; in the other cottages, the stoves in the kitchen are just for show. However, you can bring a propane camp stove for use in designated outdoor areas.
The Crystal Cove historic cottages do not have coffee makers. However, there is coffee and tea in the check-in cottage available to visitors. If you wish to make coffee in your own cottage, you will need to bring an Aeropress or something similar. Then, heat the water in the microwave or on your personal propane stove. You will probably want to pack some mugs or bring personal thermoses. Better yet, how about a travel mug with an integrated French press like this one from Stanley.
No cups, plates, forks, knives or any other kitchen utensils are included in your Crystal Cove beach cottage rental. In our experience there are sponges, soap, and paper towels, but your experience may differ.
Perhaps you plan to eat all of your meals at the Shake Shack and Beachcomber restaurants. In that case, you do not need to worry much about stocking your cottage kitchen. We think part of the fun of staying in the Crystal Cove cottages is being able to prepare and enjoy our own meals at the beach. If you agree, we suggest packing some basic utensils, cups and food storage containers that can also work as bowls and serving containers.
Food to Pack for Crystal Cove Cottages
By understanding the kitchen facilities at Crystal Cove beach cottages, you can make some good decisions about what kind of food to bring. In our experience, freezer space is ample, as is room in the refrigerator. (These are not the kind of refrigerators you find in a standard hotel room, so you can buy frozen foods or safely store perishable food items.
We think the nearby Trader Joe’s is a great place to find meals that can be prepared in the microwave provided in your cottage. If you have a Trader Joe’s near your house, you can even look around before your trip and preview some items you may want to purchase when you arrive at the Newport Coast. We look for food items that do not require extra ingredients and come in smaller servings we can finish in one or two meals. One example of this is Trader Joe’s Jumeokbap.
We also like items that can be easily warmed in a toaster. English muffins or toaster waffles provide quick and hot nourishment for people taking a break from the surf. On the flipside, we also like mini ice cream sandwiches for some special treats.
We think anything taste great at the beach. We do suggest trying to do as much of your grocery shopping as possible before you get settled in. The trek to the parking lot at Crystal Cove is a bit lengthy and steep. Grab the food, pack the other things you need for Crystal Cove and then just relax for a great trip.
Extra Tips on What to Pack for Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
In addition to the items we have already mentioned, we thought it might be helpful to share insights around some of the other miscellaneous items supplied in the Crystal Cove beach cottages.
Bedding
Bedding for each of the beds and sofa beds is supplied at the beginning of your stay. you do not need to bring sheets or pillows unless you are particular about what you sleep on. We have not experienced the Crystal Cove cottages in the winter, but if you run cold, you may wish to bring extra blankets. The cottages are heated, but they are not particularly well insulated and can be drafty.
Entertainment (and Internet)
There is Wi-Fi at Crystal Cove State Park, but it was never strong enough for us to make good use of it. Additionally, we had trouble getting a strong cell phone signal until we were up by the Pacific Coast Highway. We recommend seeing your time at Crystal Cove State Park as an opportunity to “unplug.” Bring some good books. If you typically read books or magazines on an electronic device, consider downloading books to your device before you head to Crystal Cove, as you may have trouble doing so once you arrive. The cottages do have electrical outlets, and you should be able to charge devices during your stay.
Each cottage is decorated with charming decor appropriate to the setting. You may find some books and games or puzzles in your cottage, but that is not a given. We suggest bringing some of your own. Our family liked playing card games during our recent visit. For some travel game suggestions, please see our article: Travel Fun for Kids on the Road and in the Sky, Travel Essentials.
Miscellaneous
Finally, you should find toilet paper, bath towels, and a bar of hand soap in your cottage bathroom. you should be able to find an broom inside and a small hand, brush for sand just outside the door.Other items are going to be particular to your own cottage. Depending on where you are staying, there could be footstools, a desk, throw pillows, floor lamps and other appropriate furniture. Part of the fun of staying in historic Crystal Cove is discovering the unique details of your borrowed beach home. just be sure to take good care of everything you find and leave it as it was when you arrived.
Thank you for reading this article about what to pack for your visit to Crystal Cove State Park or any beach.
For more advice on visiting Crystal Cove State Park see: How to Reserve a Beach Cottage at Crystal Cove State Park in California, Choosing a Crystal Cove Cottage: Tips for the Best Cottage for You, Our Stay in a Crystal Cove Beach Cottage: Arrival & Check-in Tips and How We Spent Our Time in Our Crystal Cove Cottage. Thanks again for reading and please consider subscribing to our free newsletter below to get the latest posts right in your inbox.
