Prime beach time in Washington is that sunny season between July 5th (if you know, you know) and the end of September. This is the time when seasoned PNWers keep their beach totes packed and ready to grab and go by their doors. This is when we see many a picnic that turns into a sunset bonfire. This is when the Pacific Northwest is at its most magical, when warm days turn to cool nights, laughter can be heard downwind, and volleyball nets dot beaches up and down the Washington coast and beyond.
At Made In Washington, we’re in the business of beach days. You take care of the sand castle kit and we’ll take care of the rest. You in? Let’s talk about all the ways you can bring Made In Washington on your next beach day.
The Perfect Beach Bag
In Washington, we’re known for our endless water views. Porter Lane Home’s Salty tote celebrates our life on the edges of the Pacific Ocean and the Salish Sea. For those who still want Porter Lane’s sturdiness with a more state-wide message, opt for the Washington State Slogan tote. Made with 100% Premium Quality Natural Cotton Canvas, these totes are built to last.
If you want to celebrate our iconic ferries, consider Potluck Press’s Our Ferries Run The Straits tote and if you plan to take the mountains with you long after you’ve left a beach with a view of one of our famous ranges, grab Potluck Press’s The Mountains Are Calling tote. There’s a beautiful beach bag option for every preference and price point.
What To Pack In Your Perfect Beach Bag
The question of what to pack in a beach bag can be a touchy one. You’ll need to do a mental inventory of who is coming with you, what time you’re going, and which beach you’re visiting. Some beaches are sandier than others, so footwear is also a consideration.
Once you’ve worked through the answers to those questions, you’re ready to pack your bag. Here are a few things that we consider standard:
- Towels and a blanket (we like Pendleton’s Eco-Wise Washable Throw, which is as durable as it is beautiful)
- A reusable water bottle
- Sunglasses and a hat (we’re big fans of the Seattle Viaduct PNW Vintage Green Hat and the Seattle Viaduct Washington Outline Trucker Hat)
- Sunscreen
- If you have kiddos with you, toys and books like The Sasquatch and the Lumberjack, S Is for Salmon: A Pacific Northwest Alphabet, and Who Hoo Are You?
Snacks To Pack In Your Perfect Beach Bag
You may have noticed we offer a wide (and ever-expanding) array of locally-made snacks. Because of this, we figured they deserved their own section. What follows is a short list of snacks to pack in your beach bag. We understand that tastes and preferences vary widely, so check our stores and website often for drool-worthy options for you and your crew.
- Smoked fish and meats: SeaBear Smoked Wild King Salmon, Neptune Cracked Pepper Fish Jerky, Dan the Sausageman Tube of Treats, Bos Snacks Beef Biltong Better Than Jerky Spicy Mild, Coro by Salumi Finocchiona Piccolo Salami
- Crackers and nuts: Beecher's Original Crackers, Partners Olive Oil and Sea Salt Crackers, Holmquist Hazelnuts Dry Roasted, Recipe 33 Black Truffle Infused Almonds, Bobby Sue’s Original Nuts
- Fruits and sweets: Chelan Beauty Organic Freeze Dried Blueberries, Girl Meets Dirt Mini Spoon Preserves Gift Set, Liberty Orchards Aplets & Cotlets, Seattle Chocolate Shine On Assorted Truffle Bag
Is your mouth watering as much as ours is? We might have to plan a team beach day just so we can pack a few totes full of these snacks!
Beach Day Activities Beyond Building Sand Castles
We can get pretty competitive building sand complexes (moats are non-negotiable in our beach empires), but if you’re done building for the day or want a more contemplative splay on the beach, consider adding one of our favorite journals to your tote. The Sound & Circle Perfect Bound Notebook with gold-edged mountains not only mirrors many Washington State beaches, but also inspires us to dream bigger. Journal, draw, and reflect in its 75 lined pages.
If you’re focusing on a different kind of art, use the nearby seawater to swirl Emily Lex’s brushes into her watercolor paints and use one of her workbooks (she has animals, flowers, birds, and seaside scenes) to get into a beach and art-induced meditative state you can carry with you for days to come.
Washington State Beaches
Washington is blessed with an abundance of beaches. Some of our (and our team’s) favorite beaches to visit?
- Alki
- Golden Gardens
- La Push
- Long Beach
- North Jetty
- Rialto
- Richmond Beach
- Rosario
- Ruby Beach
- Seabrook
And tons more. Exploring our state’s beaches is one of our favorite things to do! Shoot us a message on our social media channels to tell us about the Washington State beaches you frequent.
BONUS: Beach Towns in Washington
There are beaches and then there are beach towns, built around their access to the sea. Here are just a few of the beach towns in Washington we like to visit all year round:
- Anacortes
- Bainbridge Island
- Coupeville
- Edmonds
- Friday Harbor
- Ocean Shores
- Westport
Which one will you visit first?
Grab Your Made In Washington-Filled Beach Bag and Enjoy Your Beach Day
You’re all set and ready to head out on your sandy adventure. We can’t wait to see where your Washington beach day takes you. If you choose to show it off on social media (we’re big fans of living in the moment, too, so no pressure!), tag us so we can send you all the hearts: we’re hanging out @madeinwashington_ on Instagram and @made.in.washington on Facebook.
See you on the shores!
