Instead of sunny skies and beach days to toast the start of summer plans last weekend, we were met with rain and jackets being pulled back out of the closet. While we hope you were all still able to make the best of it, we’re urging you to do a little redo this weekend.
With sunny days ahead, let’s hit reset and start the summer off right. Here are eight ways to get into the summer spirit this weekend:
1. Visit the outdoor bars and restaurants
As we all know, there are quite a few outdoor restaurants and bars that are only open seasonally. While they were likely ready to welcome the holiday weekend crowd, the rain may have kept many of us away.
So, now is the perfect chance to head back out and visit those favorite spots you’ve missed all winter long. There’s something about that first outdoor drink or waterfront bite of the season that instantly puts you in summer mode.
Places like The Point, Crabby Jack’s, and Ventura’s Greenhouse Beach Bar (just to name a few) are ready for you.
2. Bike ride on the boardwalk
Nothing says “summer is back” like a ride along the boardwalk. Grab a bike, take in the ocean air, and let the sound of the waves and the seagulls set the tone for the season ahead. Stop for a quick coffee, people-watch along the way, or just cruise without a plan.
It’s simple, classic, and the perfect way to shake off a rainy weekend and reset your summer mindset. There’s no rush, just sunshine and good movement.
3. Enjoy your first beach day
Now that the sun is finally expected to cooperate, it’s time for that first proper beach day. Pack the chairs, bring the cooler, and settle in for a long, sunny day by the water. Even if you don’t stay all day, just setting up on the sand and hearing the waves roll in is enough to feel like summer has officially arrived.
4. Jump in the ocean
Yes, this is your sign. While the water is still going to be cold, there’s nothing like that first ocean dip of the season. It hits differently, wakes you up instantly and somehow resets everything. (For your safety, be sure to do so on a designated beach with a lifeguard.)
It’s the unofficial start of summer for a reason. Once you’re in, there’s no turning back and you’ve officially committed to the season.
5. Grab your favorite boardwalk treat
Whether it’s fries, funnel cake, saltwater taffy, or a classic ice cream cone, nothing brings the summer feeling faster than walking the boards with a treat in hand.
Take your time, try something new, or stick with your go-to; it all tastes better with salty air and sand still on your feet as you cruise the boards for the first time this season.
6. Watch the sunset on the beach
Stay a little later and catch the sky doing what it does best this time of year. A shoreline sunset after a full beach day is one of those simple summer moments that never gets old, when the crowds thin out and everything feels a little quieter in the best way.
7. Plan a group night out
Summer weekends are built for friends. Round up your crew, make the reservations, and get back into the rhythm of nights out at your favorite local spots. Whether it’s dinner, drinks, or just a spontaneous walk somewhere along the water, everything feels a little more fun when the nights are warm again.
8. Just slow down and enjoy it
Following a rainy holiday weekend, the best thing you can do is simply take it all in. Walk a little slower, stay outside a little longer, and let the season settle in. There’s no need to rush into a packed summer schedule right away; just ease into it and enjoy the shift.
Sometimes the best part of summer is just realizing it’s finally here.
After a weekend of rain checks and postponed plans, this is your official second chance to kick off the season the way it was meant to start. The sun is out, the shore is waking up, and everything we love about summer is back within reach.
So, consider this your reset button, dust off the beach chair, text the group chat, and step outside. Because from here on out, every weekend starts to feel a little more like summer, and there’s no better time to lean into it than right now.
Delaney Crawford is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and digital marketing. Driven by a desire to empower local businesses, Delaney founded DLC Media, a company dedicated to helping businesses enhance their brand image and thrive online.
