We’ve hosted hundreds of guests at Sea Esta, and one of the most common questions we get before arrival is: “What should we bring?” It’s a great question, because packing for Dillon Beach is a little different from packing for a typical California beach trip.
The coast up here has its own personality. The weather can shift from warm sunshine to rolling fog in an hour. The wind is real. And the best adventures — tide pools, hiking, whale watching — require a bit of gear you might not think to grab. On the flip side, we stock Sea Esta with a lot, so there’s plenty you can leave at home.
Here’s our honest packing guide, based on years of watching guests nail it (and a few who wished they’d packed differently).
First Things First: Dillon Beach Weather Is Not Inland California
If you’re coming from the Sacramento Valley, the East Bay, or anywhere inland, please hear us: it is significantly cooler at the coast. A 90-degree day in Petaluma can easily be a 58-degree day in Dillon Beach with a stiff wind and fog rolling in off the Pacific. We’ve seen guests arrive in shorts and sandals on a July afternoon and immediately wish they hadn’t.
The average summer high at Dillon Beach sits around 60–65°F. Winter days hover in the low 50s. Mornings are almost always cool, regardless of season. The saving grace is that when the sun does break through, it feels absolutely glorious — and that can happen any month of the year.
The takeaway: layers are everything. A t-shirt, a fleece, and a windbreaker will get you through nearly any Dillon Beach day, any time of year. You can peel off or add on as the weather shifts, which it will.
The Must-Pack List
These are the items we tell every guest to bring, no matter the season:
- A good fleece or midweight pullover. You’ll wear this more than anything else. Mornings on the deck, evening fire pit sessions, walks to the beach — fleece is the Dillon Beach uniform.
- A windbreaker or light shell jacket. The wind here is persistent, especially near the water. A layer that blocks wind makes an enormous difference in comfort. It doesn’t need to be heavy — just windproof.
- Sunscreen. Yes, even in the fog. UV comes right through the marine layer, and it reflects off the water and sand. We see more unexpected sunburns in July (when people assume the fog is protecting them) than in any other month. SPF 30 or higher, applied before you head out.
- Water shoes or sturdy sandals with grip. If you plan to explore the tide pools, water shoes are essential. The rocks are slippery with algae, and barnacles will shred bare feet. Sport sandals with a closed toe work well too.
- Binoculars. This one surprises people, but you’ll be glad you packed them. Gray whales migrate past Dillon Beach from December through April. Seals haul out on the rocks year-round. Hawks, osprey, and pelicans are constant. A cheap pair of binoculars turns a beach walk into a wildlife experience.
- A reusable water bottle. There’s no convenience store on the beach. Stay hydrated, especially if you’re hiking or spending a full day outdoors.
- Comfortable walking shoes. Not fashion sneakers — actual shoes you can hike a trail or walk a mile of sand in. The trails around Dillon Beach are beautiful but uneven, and the beach itself is soft sand that demands real footwear.
What Sea Esta Provides (So You Don’t Overpack)
We work hard to stock Sea Esta so you can pack light. Here’s what’s waiting for you when you arrive:
- Kitchen essentials. Olive oil, salt, pepper, sugar, cream, and coffee sweetener are all here. We have a SMEG coffee pot, a Keurig with Peet’s pods, a YETI French press, and Peet’s ground coffee. No need to pack your morning coffee setup.
- Quality linens and towels. We provide quality bedding, extra-soft blankets, and plenty of towels for the bathrooms.
- Beach towels. Stacked and ready for you. Leave yours at home.
- Boogie boards and surfboards. We keep boards on hand for guest use. No need to strap them to the roof of your car.
- Fire pit supplies. The downstairs deck has a fire pit and we keep it stocked. Just light it up.
- Fast WiFi and entertainment. Super-fast WiFi, a Sonos sound system, and three Smart TVs. If you need a rainy-day backup plan, we’ve got you covered.
- Heated floors. The upstairs has radiant heated flooring. On cool mornings, it’s pure luxury.
- Outdoor hot water showers. Rinse off the sand and salt before you come inside. They’re right by the door.
- Natural soaps and body products. We stock sustainable, high-quality products in both bathrooms.
- Indoor laundry. If you’re staying more than a couple of nights, you can wash and rewear instead of overpacking.
The bottom line: you really don’t need to bring much for the house itself. Focus your packing on what you’ll wear and carry outdoors.
Your Beach Day Pack
Heading to the shore for a few hours? Here’s what to throw in a bag:
- Sunscreen (reapply every two hours, seriously)
- Water and snacks
- A blanket or towel to sit on
- Windbreaker (it’s always windier at the water than at the house)
- Camera or phone — the light here is incredible
- A paperback or magazine (WiFi doesn’t reach the beach, and that’s a feature)
- Sunglasses and a hat
Your Hiking Pack
If you’re planning to hit the trails at Tomales Point, Bodega Head, or Point Reyes, pack a small daypack with:
- Layers: base tee, fleece, windbreaker
- Plenty of water (more than you think — the coast is deceptive)
- Good hiking shoes with ankle support
- Binoculars for wildlife spotting
- Trail snacks
- Sunscreen and a hat
- A phone with downloaded trail maps (cell service is spotty on some trails)
For Families with Kids
We host a lot of families at Sea Esta (we even have a cozy kids’ nook we call The Raccoon Hideout), and here’s what parents tell us they’re glad they brought:
- Sand toys. Buckets, shovels, molds — Dillon Beach has beautiful, fine sand that’s perfect for building. We don’t stock these, so bring your own.
- Extra layers for little ones. Kids get cold faster than adults, and they won’t tell you until they’re miserable. Pack one more layer than you think they’ll need.
- Lots of snacks. Beach air and running around make kids ravenous. Pack more than you would at home.
- Wet bags or plastic bags. For sandy clothes, wet swimsuits, and the inevitable collection of shells and rocks they’ll want to bring back to the house.
- A change of clothes in the car. The outdoor showers help, but having dry clothes ready for the drive home (or the restaurant) is a lifesaver.
What to Leave at Home
Just as important as what to bring is what NOT to bring. Save the suitcase space:
- Dress shoes and fancy outfits. Dillon Beach is extremely casual. The nicest restaurant in town is a come-as-you-are place. You will not need heels, blazers, or anything you can’t get sand on.
- Heavy coats. A big puffy parka is overkill. Layers beat bulk every time. A fleece plus a windbreaker is warmer and more versatile than a single heavy coat.
- Umbrellas. The wind at Dillon Beach will turn an umbrella inside out in seconds. Rain gear (a waterproof shell) is far more practical. In our years here, we’ve never once used an umbrella successfully on the beach.
- A cooler full of groceries. Bring snacks for the drive, but save the big grocery run for Petaluma (see below). Our kitchen has everything you need to cook.
- Beach chairs. Sea Esta has blankets, and the sand here is soft enough. Chairs are heavy, awkward, and honestly unnecessary.
The Grocery Tip Every Guest Needs
This is important: there is no grocery store in Dillon Beach. The town has a general store with basics (and it’s great for a snack run), but if you want to cook real meals at Sea Esta — and you should, because the kitchen is a joy to use — stock up before you arrive.
Petaluma is about a 30-minute drive and has everything: Whole Foods, Safeway, Trader Joe’s, a fantastic farmers’ market on Saturdays, and several specialty shops. We recommend making Petaluma your last stop on the way in. Load up the car, drive the last 30 minutes to Dillon Beach, unload into the kitchen, and you’re set for the weekend.
If you’re coming from the south, Novato has Costco and the same chain groceries. From the north, Santa Rosa has everything you could need.
Pro tip: bring your favorite wine or beer. The general store has some options, but the selection is limited. Petaluma has excellent wine shops and craft beer stores.
A Final Packing Thought
The best trips to Dillon Beach are the ones where you’re comfortable and prepared without being weighed down. Pack for the outdoors, dress in layers, bring binoculars and an open mind, and let us handle the rest at the house.
We’ve done this hundreds of times, and we genuinely love setting guests up for a great stay. If you have questions before you arrive, we’re always just a message away.
Planning your Dillon Beach trip? Sea Esta is a modern beach cottage with ocean views, heated floors, and everything you need for a perfect coastal getaway.