Our Editors’ Summer Shoppe Guide—From Floaties to Beach Towels!

You’ll Want to Add These Summer Essentials to Cart

Summer is finally here, folks. We’ve waited three seasons and (too) many gray days for it and, alas, our favorite time of year is finally upon us. We’ve told you where to stay, swim, sip and savor this summer, but now we are telling you what to snag to make the most of our favorite sunny season. From sensible to swanky, there’s something for everyone on this list. Whether you’re going on an envy-inducing vacation or just staying local this summer, we have a dozen beach items, pool essentials and beyond that you’ll want to secure to keep the good times rolling.

RUBY MINT Towels

Credit: Christina Cernik / @ccernik

We love shopping locally and it doesn’t get much more yarn-to-table than RUBY MINT Towels which was founded in 2014 in our very own loveable town of Laguna Beach. Erin Crandall, the visionary behind the brand, wanted to create a high-quality product that was part function, part fashion—and thus RUBY MINT was born. These high-end towels are created using the highest quality 100% sustainably sourced cotton on the market and are as aesthetically pleasing as they are absorbent. We personally love the Summerfield pattern which feels apropos for the season. They are a tad pricier at $79 a pop but can withstand the elements, making them a great investment you can rely on summer after summer.

Use code LOCALE20 for 20% off your purchase!

Local Insight: Join RUBY MINT‘s trunk show this Friday and Saturday at the Montage Laguna Beach from 12-5 p.m.

Price: $79

Vacation®. Classic Whip Sunscreen

Credit: Vacation

We’re sure you’ve seen this sunscreen before. You know, the one that looks like a whipped cream can? Besides the fact that your kid might try to eat the contents, this is such a fun take on a typically tedious task. Kids go bonkers over the fluffy application and might even stand still while you get them ready to take on the rays. This sunscreen mousse is a water-resistant SPF 30, is free of all the yucky stuff and is safe for sensitive skin. Ingredients include coconut oil, aloe vera, banana extract, shea oil and vitamin E…to name a few. Make sunscreen sexy, buy the $22 Vacation® Classic Whip.

Price: $22

Rad Habits Hat

Credit: Taylor Hayden

Who doesn’t love a good hat? They cover up any bad hair day, are an easy way to elevate the cool factor of an outfit and keep the sun out of your face (not today, wrinkles). Rad Habits is another local company born and bred in our great state of California by longtime pals Taylor Gorski and Emmy Daskas. Each collection they create is made in small batches using premium ingredients and sustainable packaging. These limited-edition treasures are the definition of supporting our neighbors and shopping locally. Plus, their hats are pretty dang cool. We are very into the “Life’s a Habit, Baby!” design.

Price: $40

Gozney Dome S1 Pizza Oven

Credit: Gozney

Remember we mentioned some items being swanky? Well, this is one of them. The Gozney Dome S1 is the Rolls Royce of pizza ovens with its award-winning performance and design. Enjoy restaurant-quality pies in the privacy of your own home using this propane-fueled pizza oven that reaches temperatures nearing 1,000 degrees. It looks nice, heats quickly, cooks precisely and will make for some pretty epic summer cookouts.

Price: $1,499

Funboy Floating Cabana Bar

Credit: Brecht Van’t Hof

Anything Funboy does, we’re here for. They made pool floats great again and keep releasing hit after hit of photogenic yet functional products. Their $79 floating cabana bar is no exception to their Instagram-worthy inflatable innovations. At nearly 6 feet long, this oversized pool bar can go on water or land and comes with a striped cabana sun shade to keep your cocktails cool. Other features include circular coolers that can be used for platters of food or ice, four drink holders and four different color varieties. Cabana boy sold separately.

Price: $79

Polaroid Underwater Wave Camera

Speaking of pools, while you’re in there enjoying your Funboy cabana bar, you might want to snap a few underwater candids with your waterproof Polaroid Wave camera. This pool essential is just straight fun and is a great way to capture all the core memories made in and around the pool this summer. It might even entertain your children long enough so you can make yourself another cabana cocktail. This camera also makes a great gift for kids if you have a birthday party coming up.

Price: $69.99

Atlas Gas Grill

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, fire up your Atlas Gas Grill for a good old-fashioned backyard barbecue. On sale right now for $3,295 (that’s $880 less than usual), this high-performance grill is a surefire way to make an All-American meal…and hey, it’s also made in the US. It’s sleek, it’s strong, it’s safe. We particularly love the warming racks which ensure your buns are nice and toasty. It is also easy to clean for all the neat freaks out there.

Price: $3,925

Newport Beach The Label Seafarer Sweatshirt

It doesn’t get more local than Newport Beach The Label, a brand that is whipping up cool collections at affordable prices. The unisex seafarer sweatshirt is an all-time classic crewneck. Ultra-soft yet durable, this piece pays homage to a city we love and ranges in size from small to 2XL. We love the idea of wearing it oversized to a bonfire on the beach. Rep your cities, people, and support the locals selling goods that you can feel good about buying.

Price: $55

Aloha Collection Mo’orea Day Tripper Tote

Credit: Ming Nomchong

Credit: Tara Rock

Credit: Ming Nomchong

Credit: Ivana Cook

Credit: Tara Rock

Credit: Ivana Cook

Did you know there’s now an Aloha Collection at Lido Marina Village? If you didn’t, well, you heard it here first. They have some of our favorite spill- and splash-proof bags and the Day Tripper tote is a modern-day Mary Poppins purse. It’s lightweight, easy to clean and comes in three super cute designs and colorways all featuring vibrant hibiscus flowers—an homage to French Polynesia. This beach essential is perfect for a day at sea, a staycation or a weekend away.

Price: $72

Sunday Supply Co. Beach Chairs

Credit: Sunday Supply Co.

When it comes to beach chairs, we’ve tried them all from drugstore to brand names and everything in between. Sunday Supply Co. is doing it right with their lightweight, compact lounger that isn’t clunky and doesn’t require an engineering degree to figure out how to open or close. With 17 different styles, this beach recliner comes with a removable carry strap for utmost convenience and a storage pocket for that book you promised yourself you’d finally read this summer.

Price: $169

Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler

Last but certainly not least is the Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler. This one kind of speaks for itself but it’s a portable cooler that comes with a carry strap and can fit 33 cans or 26 pounds of ice. It is also tall enough to chill a wine bottle so your girlfriend who only drinks rosé in the summer will be pleased. There’s a reason this beach item has 4.6/5 stars with over 5,000 reviews even though the price tag is a bit hefty at $250. Yetis do last forever, though, and you can pick from 10 popular colors so your cooler matches your vibe.

Price: $250

Jane Adler

+ posts

Jane Adler is a marketing and branding consultant by trade, but a writer by preference. She shares a name with Meryl Streep's iconic character from It's Complicated and is presently trying to manifest that life (particularly that Santa Barbara house) for herself. Jane is an avid consumer of content and carbs and often used the latter to write on the former.