6 essential beach parking tips for your summer getaway

Summer is the perfect time for your next road trips and beach getaways, and have some fun and enjoyment with families and friends. However, during these road trips and out-of-town destination outings, the most common problem that drivers have to deal with is to look for a secured parking area.

During road trips and beach outings, drivers and car owners need to find a safe and secured parking location for their vehicle, and they should be. You’ll never know when thieves and trippers (those that deflate the tires, scratch the car’s finish and breaks the car windows for fun) will strike and steal or damage your helpless car.

To help you avoid these unpleasant things to happen, Philkotse.com gathered 6 essential beach parking tips for your summer getaway.

1. Research the best place for parking

When planning for your summer beach outing, you should also include the parking area of your vehicle. You should visit and check the website of the beach or any place you’re planning to visit to check if it provides a reliable parking area.

If you’re going on an open beach, and they don’t have parking lots, utilize Google Maps, to search for any ideal parking lots and spaces within the area near the beach.

Use Google Maps to look for secured parking lots and garages with good customer ratings and good rates. Just be ready to spend some cash on this option. This is safe and better than having to worry about the state of your vehicle in the open area.

You should visit and check the website of the beach or any place you’re planning to visit

2. First come, first serve!

If you are going to park in a public area, you should get there as early as possible. This will allow you to look and pick for the most convenient parking area. The most important thing to remember when parking your vehicle is that everybody likes and wants to be as close to the beach as possible.

So, if you're not planning to stay at the beach for too long, you should park in the area where you can easily leave the venue.

If you are going to park in a public area, you should get there as early as possible

>>> More useful parking tips on Philkotse:

• 6 handy tips to find your car in a parking lot in PH
• 5 easy car parking tips for Filipino drivers

3. Pay attention to the local parking rules and regulations

In some places, the local government enforces time limit and rates for cars parking on the street. Make sure you also check for the signs that indicate the detailed list of parking rules and regulations.

You can also research this on the internet or ask the local people about them. Doing so will prevent unnecessary tickets, fees, and confrontations when it's already time for you to leave and head back home.

Make sure you also check for the signs that indicate the detailed list of parking rules and regulations

4. Be ready in case you have to park in the open

There are higher chances that the only parking space for your vehicle is in the open. This can be the scenario especially if you’re going in an open beach or it is peak season. So, it is better if you come here prepared. Make sure you bring an insulated car cover that will protect your vehicle against heat.

There are other ways of keeping your vehicle cool. You can install a dash cover or put up a window visor. If you’re parking in a safe and secured location already, you can leave the car windows slightly ajar, this will allow hot air to escape.

In addition, if you already know that you’ll probably park in the open, ensure that your vehicle has enough car security to prevent unwanted access by thieves or trippers. Install car alarms that alert people if there are unauthorized access and dashcams that still record when the vehicle is parked and both records the outside and inside of your car.

To further make sure that your vehicle will not be stolen, you can also bring wheel or tire locks that will prevent any mobility of the car.

Make sure you bring an insulated car cover that will protect your vehicle against heat

5. If you’re in doubt of the parking location, don’t park there

If you think that the parking space or area is not good or iffy, then trust your gut feeling. Instead of being unsure if your vehicle will be safe or if you're not that certain spot, it's much better to look for another parking place.

Looking for another place for your vehicle's parking will be so much better than to be stressed when you come back and find out that your vehicle is not there, maybe because it was towed away or much worse, it was stolen.

If you think that the parking space or area is not good or iffy, then trust your gut feeling

6. Parking in the sand is different: Remember to bring an emergency kit

Lots of things can happen during the trip. Always be prepared for emergency situations. Make sure you bring an emergency kit in your vehicle. The emergency kit should have the following:

• First aid kit – in case unwanted situation happens or someone is hurt you'll be able to give first aid
• Tire pressure gauge - to check the car tires before you head home to make sure it has enough pressure for a safe journey back
• Spare tire – in case one of your tires are flat or deflated
• Air pump - for your tires
• Flashlight
• Tow rope – make sure it has a load strength of 20,000 pounds and at least 14 ft. long
• Bumper jack – preferably with base support board
• Water – because cars easily overheat on the sand
• Extra boars – for traction
• Fire extinguisher
• Car tools

Prepare all must-have items handy will ensure an enjoyable road trip

>>> Worth to note: Essential items to pack in your car emergency kit for a summer road trip.

These items are very essential when going on a road trip and the beach. Parking and driving in the sand are different compared to the road surface. Before any summer trip or beach outings, you should also make sure you the vehicle have an emergency kit that can be used in emergency situations.

It will also lessen the risk of you and your companions from being stranded in the road. It is also very helpful because usually, the beach area is far from car repair shops. If a vehicle problem occurs, you'll have enough tool to partially repair it to be able to safely drive it to the repair shop or mechanic.

Remember these six essential beach parking tips to fully enjoy the trip or beach outing with your friends and family. These tips will be very helpful in keeping your vehicle safe during your stay at the beach or even in other places.

>>> Visit Philkotse.com for more useful tips and advice for smart driving.