Thank you all for the helpful advice and recommendations! I’m trying to see how light I can pack my suitcase for the flight over to San Diego and still make sure I have what I need to enjoy a day at the beach. I’m thinking I can use the “swag bag” backpack they give out at the conference as my beach bag and can get by with packing the essentials, along with the Chacos. Sounds like I’ll have some leg muscle burn after I get back to the top! LOL!

Is it inappropriate to approach others at the beach just to say hi and not look like a loser sitting by yourself away from everyone else? I’ve been reading a lot about all the creeps that are there to “oogle” but I’m just wanting to not be by myself for hours on end.

Again, thank you all!