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Planning a beach vacation can be a lot of fun. It can also be stressful too. There are a lot of factors to consider when planning. Where are you going? How will you get there? What do you need to pack? Where will you stay? Today I am putting together for you a compilation of resources I’ve created to help you plan your perfect beach vacation. It will include possible beach destinations, an easy resource to help you book your vacation rental, what to pack, how to prepare your house to leave for vacation, road trip essentials and beach tips. Sound fun? Let’s get started!

Pick your Destination

Whether you’re looking for a relaxed and quiet getaway or a busy vacation with a lot to see and do, you will find those choices and everything in between below. These are some of our favorite places to travel.

Destin, Florida

Destin is located in the panhandle on Florida’s Emerald Coast and is best known for its sugar-white sandy beaches and emerald green water. The sand feels like baby powder it is so soft.

Why We Love It

We fell in love with Destin first and foremost for the beach and the ocean. It is unlike any I had visited in the states before. After spending the day at the beach, we would venture out to one of the area restaurants and spend the evening walking around and shopping. Destin is a favorite among summer travelers so expect traffic delays and plan to wait for a table at a restaurant. If you have small children, consider going out to eat early to avoid the crowds and long wait times.

Interested in learning more about Destin? Read my post Ideas to Help Plan your Destin Vacation.

Dauphin Island, Alabama

Dauphin Island is known as the sunset capital of Alabama. Once you see the sunset in person you will understand why. This laid-back sleepy island is the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with loved ones.

Why We Love It

Out of all the beaches I’ve ever been to, Dauphin Island is my favorite here in the United States. I have never felt more at peace while on vacation, our time in DI was so amazing I cried walking out of the beach house for the last time. Our beach house was newly constructed and we were the second family to stay there. It was located on the bay side of the island but only yards from the Gulf of Mexico (you could see the gulf from the front of the house). Dauphin Island is not commercialized and you won’t find a traffic jam driving over the bridge to get to the island. What you will find are quaint locally owned shops and restaurants with plenty of southern hospitality to go around. If you ever need or want to get away from it all, Dauphin Island is the place for you.

Read more about Dauphin Island here.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is where I vacationed as a child with my family. It is also the first beach I took my own children to. A coastal city located on the Atlantic Ocean, it is 60 miles of beaches with plenty, and I emphasize plenty, to do.

Why We Love It

Aside from the wonderful family memories made over the years, Myrtle Beach is just a fun beach to visit. After spending the day at the beach, you have everything from arcades, beachfront boardwalks, restaurants, amusement parks and souvenir stands to one of the country’s larges Ferris wheels, the SkyWheel. Your kids will never complain about being bored when visiting Myrtle Beach.

Read more about Myrtle Beach here.

Hatteras Island, North Carolina

Located off the North Carolina coast, Hatteras Island is a barrier island dividing the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound. It is on the quieter end of the Outer Banks and includes the communities of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras.

Why We Love It

The beach at Hatteras Island was one of the biggest and least populated of all the beaches we’ve visited. I could walk for a mile along the shoreline and not pass a single person. If you’re looking for places to visit within walking distance, Hatteras Island is not it. There were nearby places to eat and shop but you had to drive to get there. However, on this end of the Outer Banks we were close to the ferry that took us to Ocracoke Island and to the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, both really fun excursions.

Read more about Hatteras Island here.

Find your Rental Using VRBO

Looking for a place to get away? Let me show you how simple (and fun!) it can be to find your perfect vacation rental using

VRBO. Searching for the perfect vacation rental can be a daunting task, especially if you have specific wants and needs. Whether you know exactly where you want to go or are looking for someplace new, VRBO (formally known as HomeAway) is the best resource out there to help plan your vacation. I’m here to show you how simple using VRBO is to find your dream vacation rental.

What is VRBO?

VRBO

is the most popular vacation rental site in the US with more than 2 million vacation rentals in 190 countries. You can find cabins, condos, villas, barns, houses, farmhouses, and even castles!

How to Search

Using the VRBO search engine is easy. Simply type in where you want to go, your arrival and departure dates (if known) and number of guests. Hit the search button and VRBO will provide you with a list of possible rentals. Next, you can add in more filters to find exactly what you’re looking for. For example, if you’re looking for a house on the beach with a private pool your filters will look like this:

Hit the blue “See 74 Results” button to search possible options and you will see listings that look like those below.

When you click on the house you’re looking at, you will be provided with more information and pictures describing the property. Information includes rates and availability, an overview of the property, reviews, and a map of the surrounding area.

As the needs of our family change, I have always been able to find exactly what I’m looking for using VRBO. Our next vacation rental on Hatteras Island for 18 people is on the water, has 6 bedrooms, an elevator, 5 bathrooms, and is pet-friendly (a must have!). Thanks to VRBO, I was able to find a house that is perfect for our family in no time at all. The hardest part was deciding which property to choose. See how easy it is for yourself! Use the search engine on the sidebar to start planning your vacation.

Vacation Rental Packing List

If you’re staying in a vacation rental for the week, you will need to be prepared to bring additional items for the kitchen and bathrooms. In some cases, you will also need to provide your own linens (check with your rental company to find out before you leave). Of course you can always purchase kitchen and bathroom items while you’re on vacation, but it’s more expensive and the trip to the grocery store will last forever (trust me on this one). Rental properties typically leave enough supplies to get you through the first day, but afterwards you’ll need to purchase more. Items such as toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap and others can be purchased ahead of time to save money while on vacation. From cabins in the mountains, condos at the beach, or large houses with an ocean view, the packing list is the same with a few notable exceptions. I’ve categorized the items in a free printable you can access at the end of this section. This list does not include personal items, only those items that you are accustomed to having at home but would be without in most vacation rentals. Most of these items can be stored in a large canvas tote or plastic bin when you travel. If traveling with a group, share this list with everyone and divide up the different items to reduce cost. Use my Vacation Meal Planner to decide what meals you’re going to make ahead of time so you can bring more of what you need.

For the Kitchen

• Paper Towels
• Napkins
• Paper Plates/Cups
• Coffee filters
• Dish soap
• Dishwashing detergent
• Trash bags
• Zip-lock bags
• Cooking spices, salt, pepper
• Condiments (ketchup, mustard, bbq sauce, mayo, etc.)
• Cooking oil, spray
• Aluminum foil (for grill)
• Disinfecting wipes/kitchen cleaner
• Hand soap & Sanitizer
• Dry goods (pasta, cereal, sugar, etc.)
• Lighter (for grill)
• Drinks

For the Laundry

• Laundry detergent (make sure to check if you need HE detergent)
• Softener/Dryer sheets

For the Bathroom(s)

• Toilet paper
• Tissues
• Hand soap
• Disinfecting wipes

Miscellaneous

• Bug repellent
• Linens (if rental does not include)
• Pool toys/Beach chairs/Beach towels
• Cooler

Download your Free Printable

Click on the image below.

How to Prepare your House for Vacation

When you’re on vacation, the last thing you want to think about is coming home to a dirty house. Preparing your house before leaving for vacation will help minimize the stress of returning home to a messy house. Walking into your door with your house still clean will allow you to focus on other important tasks. When doing laundry, putting everything away, cutting the grass, and grocery shopping are on the to-do list, who has the time or the energy to clean?

When preparing your house for vacation, schedule time to clean after the majority of the packing is completed. That way, you eliminate the piles of clothes, toiletries, beach accessories, etc. that can make your house feel cluttered. In this post, I’ve outlined for you the most efficient way I have found to clean the house before leaving on vacation. I have used this method of cleaning for many years and I am always grateful that I did. The idea that within a day or two I’ll be enjoying myself on vacation gives me enough motivation to get the job done. There’s nothing like walking back into my house after a long road trip and climbing into bed knowing the house is still clean. The car, not so much. That’s for another post. Looking for more house cleaning ideas? Check out my Organizing & Cleaning page where you’ll find everything from Quick Cleaning Ideas to Deep Cleaning Tips and more! Also, if you’re interested in using eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning supplies, click here to start your order with Grove Collaborative and receive your FREE Starter Set.

Before You Begin

This cleaning method is not meant to take a long time and can be easily modified based on your needs. We are a family of four with two children who are old enough to lend a hand. After all, I’m not the only one going on vacation. If you can, enlist the help of other family members to take some pressure off of you. Also, for this cleaning method to work, you will need to have the clutter picked-up from around the house. As mentioned before, have as much packed as you can before you begin to prepare your house for vacation. It helps to have a place in the house to put suitcases and other bags while you finish packing. For us, it’s our dining room. It keeps things out of the way while I clean but it’s near enough to put additional items in as needed.

To begin preparing your house for vacation, start in the bedrooms. Begin by washing the sheets and putting the beds back together. I am so happy when I crawl into my own bed with clean sheets after a long day on the road. Vacuum each bedroom and do a quick dusting if possible. Dusting can be optional at this point simply because it will continue to fall on your furniture whether you are there or sunning yourself on the beach. I like to dust only because it makes the room feel finished. If time is short, dusting is the one thing that can get eliminated.

Bathrooms

The next step in preparing your house for vacation is to clean the bathrooms as you normally would. Wipe down the countertops with disinfectant, clean the mirrors, and empty the trash. Make sure to hang wet towels back-up after use to eliminate mold and mildew. Spray the shower down with a shower cleaner after its last use and pour bleach into the toilets.

Kitchen

Clean-out the refrigerator of anything that can spoil while you’re away. If you have a hard time throwing perfectly good food away before it’s time, give it to a neighbor. We do this with any fresh produce or dairy products. Be sure to empty the trash and ask a neighbor to put it out on the curb for you. You really don’t want spoiled food to be kept in a hot garage (especially if traveling in the summer) while you’re away. Wipe down the countertops to ensure there aren’t any crumbs left behind that can attract ants. Run the disposal and dishwasher and if time permits, put away the dishes for one less thing that has to be done when you return. If you happen to keep fresh flowers, be sure to throw them away and wash out the vase. If it pains you to throw away perfectly good flowers like it does me, take them along with your food to your neighbor. They may not be going on vacation like you, but you’ll definitely make them feel special!

Floors

Vacuum or mop all of the floors right before you leave. If you are packing a car for a road trip, make sure to pack the car first. All of the walking in and out to/from the house will definitely track in the dirt. When we had our house on the market during a vacation, I mopped my way out into the garage while my family waited in the car. Sounds silly but at the time we had two kids under three and it was the only way to leave with the floors clean.

Laundry

What would a post be on cleaning if it didn’t include laundry? The bane of of my existence! Before you run out the door away from the piles of laundry you didn’t get to, be sure to empty the washing machine of any clothes. The unpleasant smell of clothes left in a washing machine is not what you want to return home to when you first open the door.

Don’t Forget when Preparing your House for Vacation

Some items that are easily looked over but need to be done when preparing your house for vacation include the following:

• Empty rest of trash cans throughout house
• Clean front/back doors
• Lock the windows
• Set timers
• Cancel paper/Hold mail
• Ask a neighbor to water plants
• Turn on porch lights

Now that your house is ready, it is (almost) time to hit the road!

Best Tips for Your Next Road Trip

It’s easy to pack too much when you’re driving in a car and not limited to the weight of a suitcase or the size of your carry-on. Using this road trip packing list will help ensure you have what you need for your trip while keeping in mind you still have room for your family to fit in the car. Below I have listed road trip necessities for the adults, the kids, and even the dog while driving. Use this list as a guide to ensure you’ve remembered the essentials. Keep reading to print out your own copy of Travel Essentials for the Car, a great reference for your future road trips.

For the Adults

1. Insurance Cards & Car Registration
2. Tylenol/Motrin/Excedrin
3. Antacid
4. Lip balm
5. Directions printed out (in case you lose GPS signal)
6. Hotel reservation information
7. Hand lotion
8. Saline, extra contacts, and/or glasses
9. Plastic bags (for trash, upset stomaches, etc.)
10. Change for tolls (if trip includes turnpikes or toll bridges)
11. Hand sanitizer
12. First Aid Kit
13. Car Emergency Kit

For the Kids

This list is best for school-age children. Adapt as needed to meet the needs to your family.

1. Pillows
2. Books/Activity books/Crayons
3. iPad or/or DVD player
4. DVD’s
5. Access to cooler
6. Change of clothes
7. Blanket for napping

For Everyone

1. Tissues
2. Paper towels
3. Handi-Wipes
4. Snacks (portioned into small baggies or containers)
5. Drinks
6. Travel mugs for both hot and cold drinks
7. Headphones
8. Phones with chargers
9. Sunglasses
10. Medication

For the Dog

Don’t forget to plan for your furry family member if they are joining you on your trip.

1. Water bowl
2. Leash
3. Rabies tag & dog license (attached to collar)
4. Small towel to wipe dry in case of rain
5. Dog food/bowl
6. Medication (if needed)
7. Pillow or blanket to sleep on
8. Dog car harness and seat belt clip
9. Doggie waste bags

Best Beach Vacation Tips

Tips for the Road

1. Take a Picture of Important Documents

Sara, from Gathering Dreams, recommends this first tip. Have a backup of your important documents, including (but not limited to) insurance cards, license and travel itineraries. This way, if they are ever lost, you’ll have the information you need to get through the rest of the trip.

2. Plastic Drawers in Back of Car

Jen from Three Kids and a Car recommends keeping a 3-drawer bin in the back of car to hold an extra change of clothes for everyone, sunscreen, medicine, rain gear and other essentials your family (depending on their age) may need. I would have loved having extra diapers and wipes stored this way when my own kids were young. Fantastic idea!

3. Family Suitcase for Hotel Stay

This is one of my own favorite tips. Have everyone pack their pajamas, swimsuits (if hotel has a pool), and clothes for the next day in one suitcase. This way when you stop for the night, you won’t have to unpack your entire car. After a long day on the road, it’s one less thing to have to worry about. Simply grab the suitcase and other valuables you need from your car and you’re ready to settle in for the night. Just be sure to pack the family suitcase last so it’s easy to grab and go.

4. Individual Snack Bags

Kim from Stuffed Suitcase offers packing tips along with a diagram of how to pack the car for a road trip. One of her suggestions is to provide each family member with their own bag of goodies to snack on during the drive. No more fussing over who had the last of the chips.

5. Call your Bank

This tip is one that I had to learn the hard way. While away on vacation, I had my debit card declined while dining out because I had forgotten to alert them of our travel plans. It only took a few minutes to clear-up but nonetheless it wasn’t something I would want to have happen again. Call your bank ahead of time to alert them of the different states you’ll be traveling through to avoid being in the situation I found myself in.

6. Carry Cash

Along the lines of tip #5, carry enough cash with you to cover gas and hotel expenses on your road trip just in case you happen to lose your credit card or there’s a hold on your card if you forget to alert the bank of your travels. Better to be safe than sorry.

7. Be Prepared for Anything

Pack a first-aid kit and jumper cables, have access to road side assistance if needed and write down important phone numbers (in case you lose your phone). No one likes to think an emergency is going to happen, but it’s always best to be prepared. The less time it takes to recover from an emergency the more time you have to spend on your vacation.

8. Have Essential Items Close

I have an addiction to Blistex. I have to keep a tube near me or on me at all times (even when I’m in the ocean, I have one in my hand!). My lips are super sensitive and I’m prone to cold sores if I get stressed, drink too much caffeine or get sunburned lips. For this reason, I always keep a tube (or two) close by while I’m in the car. Other items I have nearby include Advil or Tylenol, sunglasses, reading glasses, phone/charger, hand wipes, sanitizer, doggie waste bags (for stops of course) and money.

For the Beach

1. Store Phone in Zip-Lock Bag

Keep the sand and water off of your phone by keeping it safe inside a zip-lock bag and tucked inside a beach bag pocket to protect it from the sun.

2. Pack Food in Reusable Containers

There’s nothing worse than grabbing a handful of pretzels and getting a mouth full of sand. To avoid this fate, pack snacks and other food items in reusable containers rather than take entire bags of food to the beach. This way, if sand does end up on your chips you won’t lose an entire bag.

3. Set-Up Early

Set-up your beach area early to reserve a space. Some beaches only allow you to set-up within a defined area of space depending on whether you are renting a vacation home directly on the beach or somewhere down the road. While staying in Destin, we had to reserve two beach chairs ahead of time to ensure we had space. If only allowed to set-up in public beach spaces, the area will become crowded quickly and it will become difficult to find an area to spread-out. It is helpful to take a tent to help define your space and keep your beach gear together. My family would often set the tent up early in the morning before everyone headed down for the day. If you do set-up a tent, please be sure to fill-in any holes that were left to prevent sea turtles from falling in and getting trapped. If you’re interested in looking at beach gear, check-out the deals on tents, coolers, bags, accessories and towels at Life is Good.

4. Beach Blankets

It is always nice to have large beach blankets to relax on while keeping your towels handy and sand-free for drying off. Place one underneath your beach tent to provide a large space to spread out, this works out really nice when it’s time to eat lunch and you need to get out of the sun.

5. Take a Fitted Sheet

I wish I would have known about this beach hack when my kids were small! Simply take a fitted sheet and place items around in the corners to keep the sheet in place (think cooler, beach bag, etc.). The fitted sheet will provide a small barrier around the edges which helps to keep sand out and defines a space for your little ones to move about. Genius!

6. Sunscreen

Save the lotion for the pool and take the spray and stick sunscreen to the beach. Sunscreen will not feel good when applied with sand on your hands. Eliminate the fuss and provide protection from the sun with sunscreen in a spray can for your body and sunscreen in a stick for your face.

7. Drink Hacks

These next beach vacation tips came from Heather at Passion for Savings. Pack your cooler with frozen water bottles to keep food and drinks cold. Freeze drink pouches and eat them as frozen slushie. Just be sure to pack a pair of scissors. You may also want to consider taking insulated cups to keep your beverages cold throughout the day. We each have a Yeti tumbler that we fill with ice water to keep us hydrated. The frozen water bottles will provide a refreshing refill when it’s time.

8. Use a Wagon

This next beach vacation tip will save your back. Use a wagon to transport your loot to and from the beach. These wagons are invaluable when you have small children who need a hand to get to the beach or you have more than you can carry. Between coolers, towels, beach toys and tents, your hands are already full. The best thing about these wagons? You can put them to great use once you get home from the beach. They are so useful taking equipment to and from the soccer field, hauling fishing gear or hauling anything anywhere it needs to go!

Related Post: Gift Guide for Sports Families

9. Take Family Photos

Don’t miss out on the opportunity while on your beach vacation to take some fun and creative family photos. These photos become cherished memories throughout the years. As kids get older, these memories become even more precious. Check out this post from Kara at Saving by Design for some fantastic ideas.

10. Make a Family Keepsake

The last tip I have for your beach vacation is to come home with a sampling of sand and shells to make a family keepsake from. Every year we collect sand in a bucket along with a variety of shells to place in a glass jar as a way to remember our vacation. I have two now that I have displayed in a sideboard in our kitchen. It’s fun to see the different types of sand from the different beaches year to year. Please be careful to only collect shells and other items from the beach that are no longer living. While at Hilton Head years ago there were people collecting sand dollars that were still in the water and still alive. As pretty as they are, they need to stay put.

Time to Go!

Now that you’ve got everything you need to plan your perfect beach getaway, it’s time to hit the road to make memories that will last a lifetime. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have found this post useful in the planning phase of your trip. Safe & Healthy Travels My Friend!