In once simpler times, the summer beach vacation stood for all that was mindless and fun. A true getaway in the most fundamental sense--slather on some sunscreen, shut down the brain, pick up a trashy novel, and lounge with nary a care in the world. At the risk of reverberating buzzkill, it must be noted that these are "simpler times" no more. For now we're stuck with the sorry knowledge that many of our country's beaches lead to water so polluted that it'll make you sick to swim in; that the seafood--a requisite culinary choice when by the coast--can carry dangerous toxins or is potentially from an overfished population struggling to survive; that the sun's rays invite cancer; and that the sandy beaches themselves may be endangered by the rising tides and intensifying storm surges of warming seas.

All that said, the Great American Beach Trip still represents perhaps the most universal connection of our citizens with the pleasures of the natural world. Try to find someone lounging on soft white sands that won't confess to being a "nature lover." For at the beach, we're all environmentalists--amateur marine biologists explore the tidal pools, temporary geologists consider wind direction and sand dunes,subconscious energy buffs--disguised as sunbathers--subject themselves to lengthy experiments in solar radiation.

...Tips

Now surely, as the temperatures yearly rise ever-higher, the shore will prove a vital escape to folks around the country. How then to stay safe from the dangers we humans have brought to the coastlines, and to keep from contributing to the causes?

--First off, if you haven't already checked out our summer travel survival guide, well then it's about time. It's got all the essentials.

--Swim Clean: With over 200,000 beach pollution closure days around the country, you'd think they'd be safe when open. Think again. Plenty of beaches are poorly monitored for water safety, so wait 24 hours after a heavy rain to swim (heavy rains tend to push sewage out of its system and right into the ocean or nearby rivers), and check out our Beach Buddies and Beach Bums guide to popular coastal vacation spots to see which are safest.

--Sun Yourself Smartly: We all know it's just plain dumb to lay out in the summer sun without sunblock, but many folks don't realize that plenty of popular SPFs contain "nano" (read: totally tiny) particles of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide that'll absorb straight into your skin. These nanoparticles haven't been tested by the powers that be, so we really don't know what kind of trouble they could be causing. So look out for "nano" on the sunscreen label, and opt for traditional zinc oxide 'screens that go on white (not clear sprays or oils).
--The Green Plate Special: One of the truest joys of the coast is eating seafood when you can actually, you know, smell the sea. Still--plenty of fish served up in beach towns come from diluted and even endangered populations, and others are so full of mercury that you'd be better off chewing sand. So use our Sustainable Seafood Recipes guide to find and prepare the most responsible dishes, and carry around our Mercury In Fish walletcard to help steer you clear of the toxic heavy metals when at restaurants.

--Leave positive trace: Check with local environmental groups to see if there's a beach cleanup day while you're visiting. If not, organize one with your group and leave a better, cleaner stretch of sand than you found it.