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Spring hasn't sprung just yet, but if the winter weather is dampening your spirits, it might be a good time to start planning your dream spring break vacation. Whether you're hoping to get away from it all with friends, family or just yourself, a trip to the beach is a great way to relax and recharge while staying safely outside, able to socially distance when needed.
CBS Essentials has compiled a list of great gear to pack on your spring break beach getaway, from stylish sun hats to extra large beach blankets that can accommodate you and your travel companions. Want to upgrade that clunky cooler sitting in the garage? The Hydro Flask Day Escape backpack will keep your favorite snacks and drinks cool for up to 36 hours. Searching for sunglasses that won't end up totally ruined by the end of your beach day? You'll need a pair with scratch-resistant coating and a durable frame. And don't forget the beach reads .
With the ever-changing landscape of traveling during the pandemic, something as simple as a trip to the beach might be the best way to enjoy a family vacation this spring break. Here's a roundup of the best beach gear to pack for your next vacation.
This foldable, sand-friendly chair weighs in at 5 pounds, making it easy to transport to your favorite sunny spot.
Rio Wave beach folding chair, $30
Made from sweat-wicking fabric with stretch and shape retention, this face mask for outdoor beach wear features soft, adjustable ear loops with cord locks. This 3-pack is available in nine different colors. (For optimum protection, pair this with an N95 face mask .)
Lululemon ear loop face mask 3-pack, $38 for three
This portable blender is USB-rechargeable, self-cleaning and equipped with a leak-proof lid, making it the perfect way to make smoothies, protein shakes, margaritas and more, whenever and wherever you want.
BlendJet One Plus portable blender, $40
Take it back to basics with this 2-pack of classic striped beach towels, perfect for staying dry and getting some rays in.
Amazon Basics cabana stripe beach towel, $34 for two (reduced from $40)
This chic tote bag will look great on your arm as you stroll down the boardwalk. It's crafted from heavy-duty canvas and boasts six pockets, a bouquet strap and a carabiner to keep your keys from getting lost in the sand.
Upgrade beyond the standard cloth mask with a more protective N95 face mask . This pack of 20, available on Amazon, offers some of the best per-mask pricing available on the site.
Want more face mask options ? Check out these KN95/KF94 masks for children and face masks for exercising .
N95 disposable face masks (20 pack), $23
This cute sun hat is crafted with 100% cotton and can be easily rolled up and tucked in your beach bag.
Boderier casual wide brim bucket hat, $11
This large beach blanket is made out of parachute material, equipped with anchor pockets to keep it in place on windier days, and can be compressed into an easily portable pouch.
WildHorn Outfitters Seaview oversized beach blanket, $32 (reduced from $40)
These stylish sunglasses have polarized lenses to minimize glare, anti-scratch coating and an ultra durable polymer frame.
The Hydro Flask Day Escape Pack provides up to 36 hours of cold insulation, is leak proof, and is designed as a backpack to make it easier to keep your provisions cool on the go.
Hydro Flask Day Escape soft cooler tote, $150 (reduced from $200)
This daisy towel makes the cutest beach accessory for spring. Its oversized design makes this towel great for lounging or even picnicking by the sea.
Ban.do all around giant circle beach towel, $70
This sunscreen from Supergoop! is weightless and scentless to provide practically invisible SPF protection. Its oil-free formula also works as a primer under foundation.
Supergoop Unseen sunscreen SPF 40, $20 and up
This Hydro Flask bottle has a leak-proof, wide-mouth lid with a built-in straw. It can keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours, and (most importantly) it's dishwasher safe and BPA-free.
Hydro Flask 32-ounce water bottle, $50
This beach shelter pops up for a hassle-free set up and can fit two to three adults or four to five children.
This lightweight mesh beach bag has eight pockets to keep all your vacation essentials organized.
This beach chair can be folded up and worn as a backpack. It boasts a collapsible sun canopy and cup holder for extra convenience.
GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade backpack beach chair, $80
Whatever great beach read you pick out for your seaside getaway, you can read it easily, even on the sunniest of days, with this waterproof Kindle Paperwhite.
First published on January 26, 2022 / 2:06 PM
Word of the plan emerged as the White House warned Moscow may seize the assets of U.S. and international companies that are pulling out of or suspending operations in Russia.
The Senate approved the $1.5 trillion legislation by a 68-31 bipartisan margin.
Colombia would join more than a dozen countries on the major non-NATO ally list.
Smollett faced up to three years in prison for each of the five felony counts.
As Luis, Delgado, a Mexican American, got to play an ordinary, non-stereotypical Latino character at a time when such depictions were few and far between on TV, for adults or children.
Word of the plan emerged as the White House warned Moscow may seize the assets of U.S. and international companies that are pulling out of or suspending operations in Russia.
The Senate approved the $1.5 trillion legislation by a 68-31 bipartisan margin.
Russia "has a track record of falsely accusing the West of the very violations that Russia itself is perpetrating," a U.S. spokesperson said.
Colombia would join more than a dozen countries on the major non-NATO ally list.
But the company says calls for violence against Russian civilians will not be allowed.
Some police departments are dispatching mental health professionals instead of officers to certain emergencies.
TSA extended the mask mandate on planes and other public transportation until April 18.
A Colorado police department is dispatching mental health professionals instead of police officers to certain 911 calls. Jeff Pegues reports.
A new study of "excess deaths" estimates the pandemic's true toll has already surpassed 1 million in the U.S.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says his company is not cutting ties with Russia entirely, as that nation's invasion of Ukraine is about to enter its third week.
Consumers may incur an extra $2,000 in fuel costs this year, and fuel prices could still be headed higher.
Soaring energy costs are driving the price hikes, while the Ukraine war is expected to drive inflation even higher.
Although public pressure is building on major corporations to exit the country, a number of prominent players carry on.
The tax agency says it wants to hire thousands of workers on the spot at hiring events on March 16, 23 and 30.
Aluminum, nickel and palladium have all seen dramatic price hikes in March, driven by the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Word of the plan emerged as the White House warned Moscow may seize the assets of U.S. and international companies that are pulling out of or suspending operations in Russia.
Russia "has a track record of falsely accusing the West of the very violations that Russia itself is perpetrating," a U.S. spokesperson said.
Colombia would join more than a dozen countries on the major non-NATO ally list.
A new study of "excess deaths" estimates the pandemic's true toll has already surpassed 1 million in the U.S.
A Ukrainian mother and her children fleeing the Russian invasion were turned back at the U.S. border by officials who cited a Trump-era restriction, according to the family's lawyer.
As Luis, Delgado, a Mexican American, got to play an ordinary, non-stereotypical Latino character at a time when such depictions were few and far between on TV, for adults or children.
The agreement comes after weeks of stalemate delayed games and threatened to upend the season.
Just like her brother, X Æ A-12, this baby has a unique name.
"Blue Bloods" actors Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg join "CBS Mornings" to celebrate the show filming its 250th episode. They discuss what the milestone means and their friendship after playing father and son for over a decade.
Award-winning chef and Milk Bar owner Christina Tosi joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss her new book, "Dessert Can Save the World: Stories, Secrets, and Recipes for a Stubbornly Joyful Experience." She discusses her path to success and life lessons she's learned through baking.
But the company says calls for violence against Russian civilians will not be allowed.
Web exclusive: David Pogue's extended conversation with Inna Sovsun, a professor and Ukrainian Parliament member who's now active in the social-media resistance.
Misinformation has been spreading in the nearly two weeks since Russian troops invaded Ukraine. CBS News' Tanya Rivero and Nancy Chen talked with Emily Dalton Smith, the vice president of social impact at Meta, about steps the social media company is taking to battle inaccurate or unsubstantiated posts as well as provide support for Ukrainians.
House panel accuses Amazon executives of making "false and misleading statements" about the company's practices.
Third-generation iPhone SE marks the first upgrade to the bare-bones version of Apple's most popular product.
Scientists used brown rats as the modern reference species, and found they could reconstruct 95 percent of the Christmas Island rat genome.
Underwater drones helped searchers spot the wreck, described as remarkably intact, 108 years after ship went down in icy waters.
Millions of the spiders spun three-dimensional golden webs in Georgia in 2021 and a new study says they could spread "throughout most of the Eastern seaboard."
Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla joins “CBS Mornings” to discuss vaccine hesitancy and talk about his new book "Moonshot," which chronicles the company's remarkable push to create a COVID-19 vaccine.
The United Nations released an alarming climate report on Monday detailing how the world is not doing enough to fight climate change. CBS News' senior national and environmental correspondent Ben Tracy joins Jericka Duncan to discuss.
Jussie Smollett issued a forceful statement after he was sentenced to 30 months felony probation, which will include 150 days in jail, for lying to police about an alleged hate crime in 2019. Smollett again proclaimed his innocence, and told the courtroom that if anything happens to him in jail, he did not do it himself. Watch his remarks here.
Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 30 months felony probation, which will include 150 days in jail, for lying to police about an alleged hate crime in 2019. Smollett, best known for his role in the TV show "Empire," was convicted in December of five counts of lying to police about the attack but has maintained throughout his extensive legal battles that it was real. Watch part of the judge's statement and Smollett's reaction here.
Police logged 56 suspected antisemitic hate crimes citywide in February, up from 11 in February 2021.
The prosecutor said Ray used "violence, fear, sex and manipulation" to gain sex, power and money.
Camacho and a friend were shot while they sat in a Ford Mustang outside a bar in November 2012.
SpaceX has sent Starlink terminals to Ukraine to help keep the embattled nation connected to the western world
Retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly hit a nerve with Russian space chief Dmitry Rogozin in wake of Ukraine invasion.
The director of the Russian space program severs commercial ties with the West; space station operations continue normally for now.
Scientists expect the object to carve out a hole up to 66 feet across and send moon dust flying hundreds of miles across the barren surface.
The third of four upgraded GOES satellites will help monitor weather affecting the entire United States.
These colleges come with a hefty price tag
After a millionaire is poisoned with eye drops, his death is ruled a homicide. Did this inspire a copycat crime?
These images paint a startling picture of the environmental changes afoot across the globe as temperatures rise.
Russia's invasion has spawned the biggest movement of people in Europe in decades. They're just the latest of millions of others who have been displaced by conflict, violence or insecurity.
Ally Kostial loved attending the University of Mississippi. Her life was cut short on July 20, 2019, when she was shot dead by a fellow student at a desolate fishing camp about 30 miles from campus.
Growing toll of Russian invasion of Ukraine; U.S. intel officials testify on biggest threats
A New Jersey boy goes surfing every day – no matter the weather – for a good reason. A bride wore a special tactile wedding dress for her groom, who is blind. And the unique way moms are letting out their pent-up frustrations. Plus, in honor of Women's History Month, we shine a light on a woman bonding with her community.
Hundreds of U.S. and international companies have withdrawn from Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Now the White House says it has reports the Russians are considering seizing the assets of those companies. This comes as shelling intensifies around Ukraine's port cities. CSB News foreign correspondent Ian Lee has the latest.
Jussie Smollett issued a forceful statement after he was sentenced to 30 months felony probation, which will include 150 days in jail, for lying to police about an alleged hate crime in 2019. Smollett again proclaimed his innocence, and told the courtroom that if anything happens to him in jail, he did not do it himself. Watch his remarks here.
Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 30 months felony probation, which will include 150 days in jail, for lying to police about an alleged hate crime in 2019. Smollett, best known for his role in the TV show "Empire," was convicted in December of five counts of lying to police about the attack but has maintained throughout his extensive legal battles that it was real. Watch part of the judge's statement and Smollett's reaction here.
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