One year I wanted to celebrate my birthday at the beach so my bestie threw me an incredible birthday party at Point Reyes National Seashore. It was a private party with our boyfriends (who are now our husbands) and Bella, her dog. It was one of the best birthday parties I ever had!
How to Plan the Perfect Birthday Picnic at the Beach
Choose The Right Location
We chose to have my birthday at South Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore because it met all of our requirements. It was the perfect setting for a glam, birthday picnic party. The beach had drive-up access, which made it easy to unload our decorations. The beach is not crowded and allowed us to have a private birthday celebration.
Here are some questions to consider when you are choosing your beach location:
- When is it open? Point Reyes National Seashore is open daily from 6am to midnight, but other beaches may only be open for day use.
- What is the weather like? Advise your guests on what to wear so that they will be comfortable. Some people are surprised that the beaches at Point Reyes National Seashore tend to be chilly and windy and are unprepared for the weather.
- What are the fees (e.g., day-use fees or parking fees)? Advise your guests on any fees and if there is a limitation on form of payment (e.g., cash only). There are no parking fees or day-use fees at Point Reyes National Seashore.
- Does the beach have drive-up access? You are going to be hauling tables, decorations, food and drinks from your car so drive-up access to the beach is ideal. If the parking lot is far away from the beach, you may want to get a beach wagon to carry your belongings. The South Beach parking lot is right next to the beach. However, the parking lot is slightly higher than the beach, which means you will need to walk downhill (on sand) to the beach, and then back up. It took us a few trips to unload all of our belongings.
- How far are the bathrooms? The bathrooms are in the parking lot and have always been clean when we went.
- Is the beach crowded? No. Although this beach is easily accessible, it is not crowded. You will not have to worry about tons of noise and chaos. You will also have plenty of opportunities to take beautiful photos without strangers in it. You will want to bring a portable tripod for group photos.
- Can you swim at the beach? No, swimming is not advised at Point Reyes. People also have to watch out for sneaker waves.
- Are dogs allowed? Yes, dogs are allowed on South Beach but must be on a 6-foot leash at all times. For more information on pets at Point Reyes, visit the park’s website.
- Is alcohol allowed on the beach? Yes, alcohol is allowed at Point Reyes, but no kegs are allowed. Containers must be less than 5 gallons, and drinkers need to be at least 21 years old.
- Are bonfires allowed? Yes, as long as you get a beach fire permit. Point Reyes beach fire permits are free. For more information, visit the park’s website.
- Do I need a permit for a beach picnic? Some beaches require a permit if you have a large enough party. If you have a party with more than 25 people at Point Reyes, you need to obtain a Special Use Permit.
- Are there any other restrictions or closures? Check the beach’s website before you plan the party, and also the day of the party.
- What is your back-up plan? In an outdoor setting, it is good to have a backup plan in case it rains, gets too cold, etc. We were staying at the Tomales Bay Resort so we would have moved the party to our place. Some rooms at Tomales Bay Resort are dog friendly.
Beach-Themed Invitations
Choose a beach-themed birthday party invitation. I love these invitations. The tropical flora and abstract blues both give beachy vibes. The first one is a print to order item, and the last two are digital files that you can download and print at home or send as Evites.
40th Birthday Invites Turquoise Blue and Gold Summer Beach Party Invitation DIY Printable Editable Template
Tropical Birthday Party Evite, Electronic Summer Birthday Invitation, Greenery Digital Download Text Message Evite, Instant Download
Beach Party Decorations
The beach and ocean setting is the main focus so all you need is a few decorations to compliment its beauty. The Point Reyes beach is windy so decorations had to be chosen with care.
- Flowers of your choice
- Small vase(s) – Short, sturdy vases are perfect for this windy beach because they will not topple over.
- Table cloth – Tuck the ends of the table cloth underneath the table legs so you do not need to bring table cloth clips.
- Low Table(s) – We put 2 low tables together to create 1 long table so that we could all face the ocean while we ate. However, all four of us could have sat at 1 table if we faced each other.
- Outdoor Seat Cushions
- Picnic Blanket or Extra Blankets – The picnic blanket was great to stretch out on, and blankets provided extra warmth at night.
- Melamine Plates – We used paper plates but wished we had brought heavier plates. There were a couple of times we had to chase down our plates in the wind and that was not one of our planned activities.
- Linen Napkins – The weight of these napkins make it less likely to blow away in the wind compared to paper napkins.
- Other Decoration Ideas for Windy Beaches
- Pineapple Centerpiece
- Lanterns
- Marine Rope
- Fishing Nets
- Sand Dollars
- Starfish
- Shells
- Driftwood
- Coral
- Charger Plates
- Beach-Themed Cupcake Toppers
Picnic Foods & Drinks
We chose to have a simple birthday picnic of wine, cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery, smoked meats, grapes, a hearty salad, and salted caramel cupcakes for dessert.
- Cheese
- Smoked Meats
- Crackers
- Your Choice of Fruit or Vegetables – Fruits you can pickup with your hands are ideal.
- Hearty Salad – My friend made a delicious chicken salad.
- Favorite Wine
- Water
- Birthday Cupcakes – We chose cupcakes over cakes because cupcakes are in individual portions, and you can eat them with your hands. Top them with cute ocean-themed cupcake toppers to add some flair.
- Marshmallows
- Graham Crackers
- Milk chocolate bars
Other Items
- Candles
- Multipurpose Lighter – It took a group effort to block the wind long enough to light the candle.
- Cheese board
- Smores Skewers
- Utensils – You can opt out of utensils if you are serving finger foods.
- Shatterproof Wine Glasses – We used stemmed wine glasses, but stemless wine glasses will have more stability.
- Antibacterial Handwipes
- Bags for cleanup
- Cooler
- Ice or Reusable Icepacks
- Wood & Fire Starter for Bonfire
- Binoculars for watching birds, whales, elephant seals or other animals.
- Sunblock – Travel size bottles can double as a practical party favor.
Birthday Activities
- Make a Bonfire
- Roast Marshmallows
- Play the guitar or ukelele
- Throw a football or frisbee
- Hike– Point Reyes has some amazing trails. Below are some short, but rewarding hikes. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on these trails.
- McClures Beach: Trail follows a stream that leads to a secluded beach. Check out tide pools and a hidden beach during low or minus tide. [Read more…]
- Abbotts Lagoon: If you love birds and wildlife, this is the hike for you. You can see a lagoon, sand dunes and a remote section of Great Beach. [Read more…]
- Elephant Seals Overlook: A short walk from the parking lot will bring you to an area where you can see elephant seals! [Read more…]
- Point Reyes Light House: Beautiful coastal views and opportunities to watch whales.