Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Oh, so jealous. I'm stuck at work (with auditors visiting this week).

Here's my 2 pennies:

-Veggie/cheese platter - purchased from Safeway or any supermarket
-crackers and a baguette for the above platter
-an orzo feta salad from Safeway (it's really good and no mayo to worry about)
-Trader Joe's Grilled Artichoke spread or Jalapeno Artichoke dip from Costco
-Brownies or chocolate cupcakes (gotta have dessert)
-Turkey/ham rollups
-Trader Joe's pre-assembled salads
-Vietnamese spring rolls
-Samosas
-Sesame Noodles (I make the one from America's Test Kitchen)

I once went to the beach in Santa Cruz with my friend N. She brought a portable charcoal grill that was basically a small bucket with a grate. We grilled hotdogs and made 'smores.

And watch out for those little beggars- seagulls.
Don't feed them or you'll have a flock of beach poo rats surrounding you. (Not fun)

Why not sandwiches? Pan Baganat, muffaletta, hummus-vegetable-tortilla wraps, turkey clubs, grilled vegetables and steak with blue cheese.... I know I would.
Me?- I'd buy a round loaf or a french bread and make one big sandwich. Wrap tight. Refrigerate overnight. Cut wrapped sandwich into portions and add additional wrap for transport.

More fruit- grapes, berries with yogurt/honey dip or fruit kebobs.

Marinated artichoke-multi-colored bell pepper-olive salad
Asian slaw, sesame or peanut butter noodles
Cold pasta or macaroni salad

Orzo/feta/spinach, bean and corn salsa, bean or marinated vegetable salad stuffed into tomatoes or pepper halves.

Pre-cooked shrimp and cocktail sauce.

Chilled fried chicken.

Antipasti platter or deli platter with crackers, small rolls and condiments.

celery stuffed with cream cheese and chives or peanut butter (cut bite sized pieces)

Cookies or brownies
Iced tea
Beer
wine spritzers or sangria
Hand wipes and extra napkins.

Pitas stuffed with your favorite salad or fillings. Easy- hand held things.

Lentil salad, tabouleh, rice salad

cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices

California rolls

Fruit, cheese, baguette

Rice or tortellini salad with shrimp or tuna

White bean dip and pitas, feta cheese, cucumbers, olives, cherry tomatoes.

Broccoli bacon salad

I would bring whole fruit, like plums, grapes, nectarines, and maybe something prewrapped like granola or energy bars if it was a day at the beach and there is no easy beach escape (like a campground with grassy area) nearby. It keeps the food safe, but gives you enough energy and liquid to sustain. If there is a campground, I love bread w/cheese. I would bring Brie and a knife and a softer baguette instead of the energy bars.

Yes beer lol. Like ag3208 fried chicken is fun to bring to the beach. along with the chicken I would make salads and slaws with mayo less dressings. I like to bring chilled soft ramen type noddles with a Thai style peanut sauce to mix in. Cooked then chilled baked beans. Assorted veggie and fruits, chips and salsa. For dessert, berry or fruit pie.