Few outings are as simple as a day at the beach. Spread out a towel and the rest of the day can be as busy or as lazy as you like: swimming, bodysurfing, building sandcastles, hunting for shells, reading, or doing absolutely nothing. Beaches come in many kinds, from wide ocean beaches with lifeguards and boardwalks to quiet lakeshores and river beaches with calmer water.

It helps to know what kind of beach you're heading to. Some have lifeguards, restrooms, showers and rentals; others are just sand and a parking lot. Some allow dogs, fires or alcohol, and many don't. Popular beaches often charge for parking or entry in season, and a quick look at the local rules, the tide times and the water quality report saves surprises.

The Date Activity

A beach date can be as short as a sunset walk or as long as a whole day. Pack a picnic, a big blanket and something to play with, like a frisbee or paddle ball, and you have a day that costs very little. Mornings and evenings are the most romantic times to go: the light is softer, the sand is cooler and the crowds have thinned.

Mix in something active. Take a surfing lesson together, rent bikes for the beach path, or walk at low tide when there's the most shore to explore. If the beach faces west, stay for the sunset. If fires are allowed, bring what you need for s'mores and keep the evening going.

On Your Own / With Friends

The beach is made for groups. Get there early to claim a spot, set up an umbrella or canopy as home base, and bring a ball for beach volleyball if there are nets. A cooler, some beach games and a speaker kept at a polite volume are all a group really needs. Split up the packing so nobody hauls everything.

On your own, a beach is a fine place to swim, run on the firm sand near the water or read under an umbrella for hours. Solo swimmers should stick to beaches with lifeguards.

Good to Know

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply after swimming and every couple of hours; you can burn on cloudy days too. Bring more water than you think you need, plus shade. Swim near a lifeguard when you can and pay attention to the warning flags. If a rip current pulls you out, don't fight it: swim parallel to the shore until you're free of it, then head in. Keep a close eye on kids in the water at all times, shuffle your feet where stingrays live, and pack out everything you bring in.