San Diego Beach Safety Guide: In the Water, on the Sand, under the Sun, in the Parking Lot

Heading out to one of San Diego’s wonderful beaches can be a well-deserved break. You’ll get your vitamin D, soak up the sun, and maybe meet some new friends. There are, however, many different ways to get hurt on your beach adventure. Consider these safety tips for every place you’ll be during your day at the beach.

In the Water

•  Pay attention to lifeguard signs if present. They will provide important information about the water hazards around the area and the current weather conditions.  You can find more information about San Diego’s beaches here.
•  Familiarize yourself with swimming techniques to avoid rip currents and underwater obstacles. Avoid dangerous rip currents by swimming parallel with the shore rather than toward it.
•  Avoid touching stingrays and jellyfish if you encounter them. Shuffle your feet through sandy, shallow areas to avoid stepping on any little sea creatures.
•  Learn how to swim, and never swim alone. Knowing basic swimming lessons can save your life if you drift too far or encounter an unexpected situation.
•  Avoid swimming near structures (like piers) or rocks.

On the Sand

• Prevent uncomfortable sand rashes by bringing along some baby powder. After you’re dry, sprinkle it on and dust the sand away.
• Always carry flip-flops. Sand on beaches gets very hot, and you can actually end up with minor burns on the bottoms of the feet if you don’t adequately protect them. You’ll be thankful you have flip-flops with you.
• Wear sunglasses. The reflection of sun rays on the sand can actually be amplified and cause damage to your eyesight over time. Wearing sunglasses provides protection from UV rays in general, and from sand reflection in particular.
• Protect your belongings. Carry important items with you in a wristband, always have someone stay with your belongings, or even hide money in an empty chapstick tube. There are a number of innovative ways to hide your belongings to prevent theft.
• Don’t fall asleep alone on the beach. Taking a nap is great, but make sure you have a friend along to watch your stuff and wake you when it’s time to flip!
• Beware of broken glass or other sharp or hard objects in the sand.
• Remember, alcohol is not permitted at San Diego’s beaches.

Under the Sun

•  Wear sunscreen. Severe burns can be painful within a few hours and over time cause serious skin damage like wrinkles, sunspots, and cancer. Reapply sunscreen every hour or so of time in the sun or when you get wet.
•  Protect against sun poisoning and heat stroke/exhaustion. If you start to feel unsteady, dizzy, fatigued, headachy, or weak, you might be too hot. Surprisingly, feeling cold is another indication of heat stroke. If you experience any of these symptoms, you need to cool off and drink plenty of fluids. If your condition worsens, always seek medical attention.
•  Stay hydrated. Dehydration can zap the life right out of you and make swimming in dangerous circumstances or getting back to your car difficult. Keep your energy up with regular protein and lots of water.

In the Parking Lot

•  If you leave valuables in your car, leave them in an inconspicuous location. Always lock your car.
•  If you notice someone following you to your car, head back toward a crowded area.
•  Have your keys out before you go to your car.
•  Take a quick scan around your car before opening.
•  Always be aware of your surroundings when crossing streets.  The roads and parking areas around beaches can be extremely busy and drivers looking for parking spots may not be paying as much attention as they should.

Follow these tips and enjoy your day(s) in the sun!