Shore Trip Travel Gear
Get to the beach organized and stress-free. From car trunk solutions to beach wagons, gear up for a smooth Jersey Shore trip.
A great shore trip starts before you hit the Parkway. The right travel gear keeps your car organized, your food cold, and your beach day smooth from start to finish. Here's what makes the difference between a stressful trip and a relaxing one.
Beach Wagons & Carts
Haul everything in one trip with wide-wheel wagons designed for sand. Essential for families or anyone parking far from the beach.
Comfort for your beach day
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Beach Chair
Lightweight, foldable with cup holder. Look for rust-resistant aluminum.
Romswi
2Pk Aluminum Extra Wide 5-Position Lay Flat Folding Backpack Beach Chairs for Adults, with Cooler Bag, Cup&Phone Holder, Towel Bar for Outdoor Lawn Picnic Sport, Portable Camping Chairs, Blue Stripes
VINGLI
VINGLI 17" Tall Beach Chair, Aluminum Backpack Beach Chairs for Adults, Portable with Adjustable Straps, 3-Position Reclining, Cup Holder, High Lightweight Beach Chairs for Beach,Green
Beach Umbrella
UPF 50+ with sand anchor. 7ft diameter covers 2-3 chairs.
Beach Cart / Wagon
Wide wheels for sand. Hauls chairs, cooler, umbrella in one trip.
Overmont
Overmont 45'' Collapsible Foldable Extended Wagon Cart - 300L Heavy Duty 440lbs Large Capacity Folding Utility Wagon with All-Terrain Wide Wheels for Camping Sports Grocery Beach
MacSports
Mac Sports Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon with Folding Table and Drink Holders, Gray
Beach Canopy / Shelter
Pop-up shade for families. UPF 50+ protection, fits 4-6 people.
OutdoorMaster
OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent for 4 Person - Easy Setup and Portable Beach Shade Sun Shelter Canopy with UPF 50+ UV Protection Removable Skylight Family Size - Blue
Elegear
Elegear CumbreX™ Beach Tent with 360° Removable Canopy, 4-6 Person Pop Up Sun Shade Shelter, UPF 50+ Automated Installation Double Silver Coating Portable Lightweight Beach Cabana for Beach/Outdoor
Umbrella Sand Anchor
Screw-in anchor keeps umbrella secure in windy conditions.
Orange Screw
Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchors: Heavy Duty Screw-in Tent Stakes for High Wind, Sand, Canopies, and Camping - Made in USA, Included T-Grip Tool - (Small, 4 Pack, Orange)
COBARYEN
COBARYEN Tent Stakes Ground Anchors Screw in, 10 Pack Sand Stakes for Beach 9.4 Inch Heavy Duty Spiral Tent Pegs for Camping, Party, Hiking, Outdoor Decoration (10, Black)
Beach Blanket
Sand-free, waterproof bottom. Packs small with stakes.
WEKAPO
Wekapo Beach Blanket Sandproof, Beach Mat, Big & Compact Sand Free Mat Quick Drying, Lightweight & Durable with 6 Stakes & 4 Corner Pockets, Standard (1~3 person)
WEKAPO
WEKAPO Beach Blanket Waterproof Sandproof Oversized Extra Large Sand Free Beach Mat with Stakes, Storage Bag - Essentials for Outdoor Beach, Picnic (Sea Turtle, 8 X 7 FT (1~4 Person))
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Coolers & Food Storage
Keep drinks cold and food fresh from your driveway to the beach blanket. A good cooler saves money on boardwalk food and keeps everyone happy.
Beach day must-haves
Get it before you go
Beach Chair
Lightweight, foldable, with backpack straps.
AKSOUL
Folding Low Beach Chair for Adults: Portable Lightweight Low Back Chairs with Packable Bag - Foldable Wide Seat Sand Chair for Outdoor Concert Lawn Ground Camping Backpack Travel
Canpsky
Canpsky Portable Beach Chair for Adults, Outdoor Camping Chair Lay Flat Folding Backpack Beach Reclining Chair with 5 Positions, Headrest, Cup Holder, Heavy Ocean Striped
Beach Umbrella
UPF 50+ with sand anchor. Some NJ beaches require anchors.
AMMSUN
AMMSUN 7ft Heavy Duty High Wind Beach Umbrella Parasols with Sand Anchor Vent Tilt UPF 50+ Sun Protection Portable Outdoor Sunshade Umbrellas Carry Bag for Patio Garden Pool Backyard Blue
wikiwiki
wikiwiki 7ft Beach Umbrella with Sand Anchor & Tilt, UPF 50+ Protection Beach Umbrellas for Sand, with Carry Bag and Hook, for Patio Garden Pool, Dark Blue Stripes
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Protect yourself and the ocean. No oxybenzone.
Badger
Badger Reef Safe Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50, 98% Organic with Zinc Oxide, Non Toxic, Water Resistant, Unscented & Hypoallergenic, Broad - Spectrum, For Adventure & Sport, 2.9 fl oz
BLUE LIZARD
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion, 100% Mineral Sunscreen, UVA/UVB Protection, Infused with organic Aloe Vera, Soothes and Hydrates, 5 fl oz
Beach Cart / Wagon
Haul all your gear across the sand.
Old Bahama Bay
2-in-1 Beach Cart with Big Wheels for Sand, Folding Utility Wagon with Chair Holder, Mesh Storage, 4 Cup Holders, Umbrella Rack, Supports 100 lbs, Compact & Portable for Beach, Camping, Shopping, Blue
MACSPORTS
Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge Chair with Integrated Wagon Pull Cart Combination and Heavy Wheels - Perfect for Beach, Backyard, Pool or Picnic
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Packing Tips for Shore Trips
Car Trunk Organization
Load coolers closest to the trunk opening. Place beach chairs and umbrellas along the sides. Use a trunk organizer for smaller items like sunscreen and toys. Load in reverse order of use.
Wet/Dry Separation
Pack a large waterproof bag or trash bags for wet swimsuits and towels on the way home. Keeps your car dry and prevents mildew. Consider a separate beach bag for sandy items.
Keeping Sand Contained
Use mesh bags for toys - sand falls out naturally. Baby powder removes sand from skin. Shake towels and chairs before loading. Keep a whisk broom in your trunk for quick cleanup.
Quick-Access Items
Keep a small day bag with essentials: sunscreen, wallet, phone, and car keys. Don't bury these under beach gear. A waterproof phone pouch lets you keep valuables on you.
Road Trip Essentials
Snacks & Drinks
- Water bottles (freeze some overnight)
- Non-melting snacks (pretzels, crackers)
- Fruit that travels well
- Sandwiches in a cooler bag
Kids Entertainment
- Tablets with downloaded shows
- Car bingo or road trip games
- Audiobooks or music playlists
- Travel activity kits
Tech & Navigation
- Phone mount for GPS
- Car charger (multi-port)
- USB cables for everyone
- Download offline maps
Safety & Comfort
- First aid kit
- Sunglasses and visor
- Neck pillow for passengers
- Hand sanitizer and wipes
Packing by Trip Length
Day Trip
One Car Load
- ✓Cooler with lunch and drinks
- ✓Beach chairs and umbrella
- ✓Towels and sunscreen
- ✓Change of clothes
- ✓Cash for badges ($7-15)
Weekend Getaway
2-3 Days
- ✓Everything from day trip
- ✓2-3 swimsuits per person
- ✓Casual dinner outfits
- ✓Toiletries and medications
- ✓Beach wagon for hauling
Week-Long Vacation
5-7 Days
- ✓Everything from weekend
- ✓Extra towels (5+ per person)
- ✓Rainy day entertainment
- ✓Groceries for cooking
- ✓Laundry supplies (if available)
Complete Packing Checklist
Get our detailed packing guide with printable checklists for every type of shore trip.
Related Gear
Shore Trip Tips & Deals
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Travel Gear FAQs
What should I pack for a Jersey Shore trip?▼
Pack beach essentials (sunscreen, towels, swimsuits), comfortable footwear for boardwalks, cash for beach badges and parking, a cooler with snacks, shade gear (umbrella or tent), and extra clothes. For longer stays, bring multiple swimsuits and beach towels since humidity slows drying.
How do I organize my car for a beach trip?▼
Use a trunk organizer to separate categories: coolers in back for easy access, beach chairs and umbrella along the side, wet items in waterproof bags, and sand toys contained in mesh bags. Load in reverse order of use - items needed first should be loaded last.
What travel accessories make shore trips easier?▼
A beach wagon or cart saves multiple trips from parking. Phone mounts and chargers for navigation. A quality cooler keeps food cold all day. Packing cubes organize clothing. Waterproof bags separate wet and dry items on the return trip.
Tips for packing beach gear efficiently?▼
Roll towels instead of folding to save space. Use mesh bags for sand toys so sand falls out. Pack a small day bag with essentials (sunscreen, wallet, phone) separate from bulk items. Keep a change of clothes in a sealed bag for the drive home.
What size cooler do I need for the shore?▼
For day trips, a 30-45 quart cooler fits drinks and lunch for a family. Weekend trips benefit from 50-70 quart coolers. Wheeled coolers are easier on boardwalks but beach wagons work better on sand. Consider a soft cooler for snacks plus a hard cooler for drinks.
More Gear Resources
Find local shops, buyer's guides, and gear for every shore activity.
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