Picture Malibu, and chances are, your mind goes directly to our expansive stretches of sand and sea — and rightfully so. There are nearly three dozen beaches in Malibu, each with their own personality, from the family-friendly shoreline of Zuma Beach to the quiet, sophisticated ambiance of Carbon Beach (which just so happens to be where Malibu Beach Inn is nestled).

Now more than ever, these beaches are part of what makes our seaside haven so special. In a time when our health and safety feel more fragile than ever (especially in crowded and confined spaces), the beaches of Malibu offer a serene, spacious place to safely destress and make the most of the great outdoors.

So, we invite you to pack your beach bag this summer and retreat to Malibu Beach Inn. Need some help? Here’s a checklist of what to take along with you on your long-awaited beach day.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

In a bright, coastal destination like Malibu, it’s no secret that sun protection is important — and the kind of sunscreen you choose matters, too. To help protect our abundant marine life, opt for a reef-safe sunscreen, which forgoes UV-blocking ingredients that can lead to coral bleaching (such as oxybenzone and octinoxate) in favor of mineral-based filters.

This moisturizing SPF 30 formula by Suntegrity protects skin with non-nano, uncoated zinc-oxide, and as an added bonus, it’s tinted for a sun-kissed, Malibu-ready glow.

Suntegrity Sport Natural Mineral Tinted Sunscreen, $24; suntegrityskincare.com

A Carry-All Beach Tote

The perfect beach bag is hard to find… but we’re confident that we’ve found it. This hand-woven, Moroccan basket-inspired tote will hold everything on this list, as well as make a statement with a catchy embroidered phrase. Choose from their fan-favorite options, like the one pictured above, or create your own with one of their custom bags.

With long and comfortable handles, a roomy interior, and a classic-chic silhouette, it’s a beach bag that’ll see the sand for years to come.

Poolside The Market Tote, $175; poolside.com

A Stylish Towel-Meets-Cover Up

Adorned with trendy tassels, this soft Turkish towel by Laguna Beach Textile Co. is smooth cotton on one side, high-absorption looped terry on the other. If you’re venturing beyond Carbon Beach (where guests will of course find our beach loungers and plush towels), use it to claim your (socially distanced) beach spot. It also doubles as a cute cover-up for walks along the sand.

Laguna Beach Textile Co. Turkish Towel, $32; lagunabeachtextileco.com

A Stylish Cover Up-Meets-Towel

It’s not just towels that can double as cover-ups — the sophisticated, innovative Bask Poolside Beach Blazer proves that the reverse is true, too. Their classic pieces are made from luxe terry cloth with statement trims for a cover-up that’s absorbent, cozy, and most of all, chic. They come in men’s, women’s, and children’s styles, and you can also add a monogram above the left cuff.

We think Town & Country described these seamless beach-to-dinner styles best: “If Gatsby wore a cover-up.”

Bask Poolside Beach Blazer, starting at $325 (men’s and women’s styles); basknyc.com

Sustainable, Rose-Colored Sunglasses 

These days, we could all stand to see things with a bit more optimism — and these rose-colored glasses may do the trick (quite literally). Lightweight and sustainable, Bôhten Eyewear’s Bôhten5 Bond Rose is a wood, acetate, and metal aviator frame that’s both trendy and easy to wear. (It’s also available with prescription lenses, and in other unisex colorways.)

It’s also a brand worth supporting thanks to their vision for social good. They make their frames from sustainable material sourced from Africa, and right now, they’re donating five masks to those in need for every pair purchased.

Bôhten Eyewear Bôhten5 Bond Rose Sunglasses, $220; bohten.com

A Lightweight Beach Sweater

For when cool ocean breezes pass by, pack a soft, beach-friendly sweater to stay comfortable. During your stay, head to Malibu Country Mart to find this one at Faherty, a sophisticated surfer-style outpost that seems practically made for Malibu. Classic blue-and-white stripes and natural coconut buttons give it a laid-back feel.

Faherty Men’s Cove Sweater Poncho, $198; fahertybrand.com

A Summer-Ready Woven Sun Hat

Bring your own shade to the beach this summer with a chic sun hat. This raffia style from Hat Attack features built-in SPF protection, while a floral trim gives it just-back-from-the-farmers-market feel that fits right into Malibu culture. (And if you’re a bigger-is-better kind of person when it comes to hats, there’s plenty of that on their website, too.)

Hat Attack Canopy Hat With Floral Trim, $115; hatattack.com

A Pair of Convertible Sneakers

If you’re heading straight to lunch or dinner from the beach, stash a pair of convertible sneakers in your bag (along with the aforementioned Bask Poolside Beach Blazer) for a casual upgrade from your flip flops. Menswear brand Johnnie-O’s Sail Away Sneakers combine a soft convertible heel, a memory foam footbed, elastic speed laces, and cool nylon and leather textiles for a shoe that’s both comfortable and stylish, with or without socks. (That said, if you prefer to keep it cool in your flip flops, the brand’s Dockside Sandals are an excellent choice.)

Johnnie-O Sail Away Sneaker, $118; johnnie-o.com

Portable, Waterproof Speaker

Put together a beach day playlist worthy of Ultimate Ears’ WONDERBOOM 2 portable speaker. This pint-sized system boasts 360-degree sound, an Outdoor Boost feature, and a 13-hour charge capacity. It’s also waterproof and dust-proof, making it a perfect choice for a day on the sand.

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2, $100; ultimateears.com

Your Trusty Mask

This summer, there’s no accessory more important than a mask. Whether you’re stopping into Café de la Plage for a vegan ice cream cone or strolling along Malibu Pier, make sure you keep one on hand (even outdoors) for a summer that’s as safe as it is fun.

Sanctuary 5-Pack Fashion PPE Masks, $28; sanctuaryclothing.com