Best Beach Chairs and Umbrellas

The Tommy Bahama beach chair offers everything you need to spend a day at the beach.

1. Padded shoulder straps for carrying, and strap to hook the chair together.

2. The frame is lightweight, rust-proof aluminum - armrests are plastic (lightweight and won't rust).

3. Recline in 5 positions, including all the way back to flat - or hang a towel on the bar.

4. Padded little pillow for the head and attached pouches for drinks, cell phone, keys etc.

5. 4 Attached compartments to store food, drinks, phone, tablets, etc.

Until I began to fill these two compartments on the back of the chair, I did not realize how much they held.

For the photo I included:

My Kindle Paperwhite (so I can read in the sun).

Big Yeti cooler cup so I can keep drinks cold.

A bottle of soda and Cliff Bars snacks which are healthy and filling, but need to stay cool.

All this and space to spare, for sunscreen, a hat, and whatever else you need.  If you are taking along a lot of towels and kids toys, remember this chair has padded straps to carry on your back!  

These are the types of things I would take to the beach with me, along with a small cooler where my drinks and sandwich would be.  And of course my umbrella to sit beneath!

Beaches are not known for their shade, but while we love the beach, we sometimes need to get out of that hot sun.  I know I do here in Florida.  

In the summer months the ocean water is not always enough to keep me cool.  Water temperature is in the mid to upper 80's and the heat index is often over 100 degrees.  Even the ocean breeze is warm.  I don't like to bake in the sun, but I love being at the ocean, and most people take along some sort of shade - usually in the form of an umbrella.

You will need a sand anchor, either built into the bottom of the umbrella, or one to dig a hole to stick the umbrella into.  No one wants to chase their umbrella across the beach on a windy day - I've seen it happen!

The Tommy Bahama beach umbrellas below have poles that tilt, to direct the shade where it needs to be.  They also have built in sand anchors, which are easy to use.  I have not tried my new umbrella in a strong wind.  If the wind gets really crazy, it may be best to take the umbrella down.

This umbrella has a wind vent - opening in the top area, which helps keep the wind from picking it up and tossing it.  Most of them have a UPF 100 rating as well.

The beach near me on the Atlantic side of the state is much less crowded during the winter months.  The water temperatures drop and for most Floridians becomes too cold to swim.  

Of course tourists are always here, but with school in session it is mostly the older crowd.  The exceptions are special events like "Bike Week" and "Spring Break".  Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays bring a lot of visitors as well.

It's mainly filled with tourists because those of us who are so used to heat, think it's cold when the air temps drop to 60 and the water is 60-70 degrees.  Locals tend to stay away except to take walks.

First of all, will it hold everything you need it to?  These wagons have weight limits, and some have mesh bottoms which would not be comfortable for kids or animals.

The wheels need to navigate soft sand because you will likely encounter some.

Remember that metal will get very hot in the sun, and so will dark colors.  I am at a loss as to why all the wagons I see for sale are made in dark colored material!  If you are putting a young child or animal into the wagon be sure to take that into consideration.

Pulling a wagon will be easier if less heavy items are packed into it.  Beach chairs, towels, umbrella, and bag of necessities might fit.  Add a child or heavy cooler and you may be in trouble.

Upright carts may work better for your needs.  There are a lot to choose from so take the time to research and read reviews.

Although it is possible to drive onto the beach, and that is usually what I do, there are beaches in my area that require lots of walking to get to.

The Smyrna Dunes State Park has long boardwalks and dog trails that wind throughout a peninsula ending at Ponce Inlet.  Some secluded beaches can only be reached by taking these trails.

Now why would I want to walk a long way when I could simply drive and park right on the beach?  Because of crowds.  I like to avoid crowds of people, which can be difficult to do in the state of Florida.  I seldom go near any beaches on the weekend.  During the week the beach can be okay, but in summer the vacationers are here.  They are also here for holidays throughout the year, Bike Week, Spring Break, Biketoberfest, and who knows what.

There is always something going on that brings tourists.  And many condos and hotels are constantly being built to accommodate even more people.

So paying a fee and walking the boardwalk to get to a beach less crowded is sometimes what I prefer to do.