California is blessed with year-round mild weather, so almost any day is an ideal beach day. When the sun is out and the water is calm, kayaking, sailing, diving, fishing, and sunning are great ways to enjoy the seashore. When the surf is up, grab a surfboard, paddleboard, or boogie board and head for the nearest shore or point break. When the temperature dips and the skies are cloudy, it is a perfect time for tide pooling, bird watching, and an invigorating run on the sand. No matter the time of year or which activities you enjoy, there are some essentials no beach bag or backpack should be without.

Beach Tar Remover

In Southern and Central California, natural offshore oil seepage is a common occurrence. The result is that gooey tar balls can dot the water and the beach. Tar tends to be worse in the warm months but can also be found year-round in certain locations. The goo sticks to bare feet, shoes, surfboards, and fishing and boating gear, and can be a mess to remove.

Traditional methods of removing beach tar have been oil-based like Vaseline, olive oil, and even peanut butter. Those methods leave an oily residue on your skin or equipment. The oils can stain towels and socks and can harm sea life when you re-enter the water after applying. Other traditional methods use alcohol, which can dry out your skin and sports equipment.

There is a safer, all-natural, eco-friendly tar remover: Oil Slick Beach Tar Remover. The plant-based formula is gentle on skin and does not leave an oily residue. It comes in a 4oz spray bottle (about 800 sprays per bottle) and in individually packaged biodegradable bamboo Oil Slick Beach Tar Remover Wipes (the 20-pack fits in any tote). Packing either one is the easiest way to avoid the messy frustration of tar on the beach.

Sunscreen

Save your skin by packing a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher, ideally one that is also water-resistant. If you have skin sensitivities, mineral-based sunscreen sits on top of the skin and uses ingredients like zinc and titanium oxides to block harmful rays. Chemical protection soaks into the skin and causes a chemical reaction that absorbs the rays. Sunscreens come in lotions, oils, and sprays. Some of the most popular brands are Neutrogena, Banana Boat, and Blue Lizard. You may want to use separate sunscreens for your body and face to prevent pore-blocking breakouts on your face.

Sunglasses

Protecting your eyes from glare and UV rays is important for the long-term health of your eyes. Cheap or expensive, you want sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection and are preferably polarized. Polarized glasses help cut down on glare. Some of the most popular names in sunglasses are Foster Grant, Ray-Ban, Abaco, and Oakley.

Beach Towel

Whether you plan on getting wet or just relaxing on the shore, a beach towel is a beach bag essential. The best towels for the beach are soft and absorbent, but also dry quickly. Cotton towels often feel best on your skin; the longer the cotton fiber, the plusher a beach towel will feel. Thinner micro-fiber synthetic towels are often advertised as "sand-free." They dry faster but do not feel as good against your skin. Turkish towels are thin and lightweight, usually one-ply cotton, and tend to dry quickly. Some beachgoers also like using bamboo mats as a shield against the sand.

Lip Protection

Lips are skin too, and because they cannot be protected by regular sunscreen, it is important to apply lip protection when you go to the beach. Just like sunscreens, a lip protection product should provide broad-spectrum UV protection against the sun's damaging rays. Since lips tend to get dry, especially when exposed to salt water, many good lip balms include moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, aloe vera, or beeswax. Avoid lip balms with cooling ingredients such as menthol or alcohol, as they can dry out your lips.

Hydration

Being in the sun and surf can quickly deplete your body of fluids, so it is always a good idea to bring a reusable insulated water bottle filled with your favorite beverage. Water is best, but sports drinks can also help replenish electrolytes. If you need a little caffeine pick-me-up, iced tea or iced coffee can be a refreshing beverage, although they tend to have diuretic properties that can be troublesome if there are no nearby rest rooms.

You can grab Oil Slick Beach Tar Remover directly from the Oil Slick shop or find a local retailer on the store locator. The rest of these essentials are easy to pick up at any surf shop, drugstore, or grocery.