WHAT’S IN MY BEACH BAG

     Sydney wearing the “Little Woman” tote by Diyer Concept Store

Beach Day Kelowna: High and Maintenance

Wait, did you bring the spf?  Who’s bringing the tunes? 

Questions I know all too well…Everyone wants to have the perfect beach day and I want it for you.You might be thinking: What if I overpack? What if I get overstimulated? Trust me, I’m here for you. By the end of this, I’ll have you thinking like a local. Kelowna summers are intense to say the least. So before anything even fashion safety is most important. City Park, Strathcona, Boyce-Gyro, or Rotary beach are my GO-TO’s. They offer clean drinking water fountains! The Secret beaches don’t get maintained regularly and can be unsafe/unpredictable.

Anyway, The Heatstroke. The Sunstroke. The Dehydration. The risks are high. It’s 2026 It’s time to take it seriously. I have sacrificed so many hats just to style my hair…For the beach…What was I thinking? I still hate wearing hats to the beach. It’s just the wet hair under the hat for me, but I do it anyway because I love myself. Being serious can still be fun.  I don’t think we have to correlate having fun with being irresponsible. Consistently dedicating time for self care and self management will let you have fun. Show up prepared and the hard work is already done, you can relax now. But not now now, we have work to do. Let’s pack. 

     Sydney wearing Bandana’s and earrings by Diyer Concepts

TRUST THE PROCESS

Without a beach bag you won’t be able to bring everything you need. I know I can’t carry lip balm, power bank, sunscreen, towel, water bottle and everything else! Picking the perfect beach bag can be hard…Your perfect beach bag should fit everything and make you feel comfortable, prepared and secure. Although the dream is to carry a cute and aesthetic bag but If certain bag straps bother you, ditch the bag. It’s beach day, not beach hour. Anticipate that you’ll have a heavy bag. A sore arm is not worth the publics opinion of you! You show up the way you are and accept where you’re at, that’s always beautiful. Your beach bag is only perfect because it’s personally curated for and by YOU. Below is a list of staple items to avoid the high risks at the beach! With tips to start thinking like a local.

• Lip balm
• Electrolytes
• Power bank and Charger
• Sunscreen
• Towel
• Water bottle
• Cooler

Beachin like a true Local:

• A Straw Hat (bonus points if its a cowboy hat)
• A Water Spray Bottle (enhances tan)
• Throwing the Sunscreen and tanning lotion in the cooler
• Putting your phone in the cooler (Severe weather means desperate measures) 
• A couple band aids
• Warm outfit (Kelowna is part dessert, it gets chilly at night)
• bug spray (the bugs come out at night)

Unpacking your beach bag after the beach is Self Care

     Sydney wearing “the picture” tote bag by Diyer Concept Store

 What to wear: 

• Sunglasses 
• Outfits that have a stretch
• Non wrinkly fabric (trust me you’ll feel the difference consider this option) 
• Comfortable walking sandals
• Bathing suit already on underneath outfit 
• Hat

     Sydney wearing by Diyer Concept store 

To and From

There are so many ways to get to the beach in Kelowna. Let’s break transportation down into two categories:

1. Public Transportation

Packing without a vehicle as kind of like your home base for the day can be seriously intimidating. We increase the risks of heat stroke, dehydration, drowsiness, and sunburn. It’s important we’re prepared. So,

• Powdered electrolytes are your best friend.
• A good diet will get you through the day.
• A Powerbank/charger can save you from being lost and you’re always a phone call away.
• Sun protection is essential. I can’t reiterate it enough.
• The right shoes will ensure your week ahead doesn’t involve foot rehabilitation. Been there too many times. Just buy the comfortable mom sandals. They kinda eat nowadays anyway!

2. Private Transportation

 Having your own vehicle lets you keep extra clothes and store your large item if you go downtown after the beach! Consider the fact that items left in the vehicle can reach up to 45° Celsius. You’ll appreciate bringing everything with you to the beach even if it’s heavy (bonus points if it’s on wheels). If you don’t need the extra cooler space, a smaller cooler is still highly recommended. BTW, Parking in the middle of the day feels impossible. Definitely leave early to find the closest spot. If you are arriving and leaving in private style via limo/tourbus. Bring it all. Actually, pack two bags.

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GROUP OR SOLO TRAVEL

1.  If you’re going to the beach by yourself, it is really important that your bag is comfortable since you are carrying everything for yourself. Ensure you have a fully charged phone and a power bank. Also  let a local and close friend know where you’re going. Even if it feels silly, it’s worth it. Once settled on the beach feel free to pull out a book or headphones to enjoy a moment of solitude.

2. For group travel, please talk to each other the day before. You don’t all have to have your own personal sunscreen, bug spray, speaker, and cooler. Coordinate who is bringing what; it saves so much time and energy. Also, don’t assume someone is bringing what you need. If they didn’t say that they would assume they won’t. If Nobody mentioned vibes: Bring Them. 

Tie your keys with a lanyard around the bag straps. Nobody wants to search for their keys after a long day.

                     Sydney wearing  “Little Women” tote by Diyer Concept Store

LET’S EAT

Kelowna not only has a pretty face, it also has a wide range of high quality food. Whether you pack your own cooler with a meal that satisfies your taste buds or go out and skip the cooler entirely, you’ll be sure to have a tasty meal that tops off your day. If packing your meal, don’t forget to pack for your meal too. Silverware, napkins, plates, bowls etc.If you’re dining out, consider how you’ll feel in a restaurant with your beach bag. Packing for a restaurant is way more flexible than a Beach Bag. All we face over here is life or fashion. What’s considered too bulky? Well that’s for you to decide. I know I like to travel light and efficiently when dining out. Standard totes from Diyer Concept Store are just right for me. In a restaurant, I’m most comfortable when I change out of my swimsuit. Fresh undies+Non-wrinkly-outfit=heaven. 

. Additional items to consider when dining out during your beach day: 

• Plastic bag (for wet swimsuit)
• Cute Jewellery
• Undies
• Face cream or spray
• Staple makeup. No need for a full beat  after the beach.
• Hairbrush
• Leave in conditioner 

FROM A LOCAL

This locals guide is intended to help you plan a perfect beach day in sunny Kelowna, BC. Beach days have lots of risks and demand a lot. Honestly, it involves a lot of strategy. But once you see the overall picture, you can start to anticipate your needs, and decide what to pack. Maintain your responsibilities to make room for full relaxation and fun! Think critically. Take care of yourself.