Calling All Utah Beach Bums
With Covid limiting travel this year, it’s been a tad bit devastating for those of us who claim to be avid beach bums. Fortunately, you don’t have to pull out the mini inflatable backyard pool just yet, because I’ve put together a day full of activities that will have you saying “I’m not in Utah anymore” before you know it!
First things first, you’ll want to dig out your nicest floral-inspired button up, or even that flowy sarong that only feels right when you’re walking along the shore with the ocean waves tickling your feet. This step is non-negotiable, as you will need to set the tone in order to appropriately channel your inner sun beach bunny.
The first stop on our island tour is Willard Bay in Northern Utah. This freshwater lake is 20 miles north of Ogden and features sandy beaches to make all of your sandcastle building dreams come true. A local company called Club Rec offers a variety of rentals including boats, waverunners, water trampolines, and so much more. Willard Bay is also a great place to try out some newer services including Arrive Outdoors equipment rentals, and also Utah Camping Company. Utah Camping Company specializes in packing, hauling, and pitching your camping equipment so that you don’t have to waste your time or energy on these tedious tasks. As tempting as these ideas may be, save them for another trip, because we’re on a mission to recreate our seaside staycation!
After a fun-filled day on the water, there’s no doubt that you are ready for a savory coastal meal worthy of royalty! Drive south to Hook n’ Reel Cajun Seafood Bar located in Layton, UT. At this tasty eatery, you can order shrimp, crab, mussels, clams, and countless other shellfish that come coated in the seasoning of your choice. This meal comes served in a literal bucket, complete with complimentary bibs and hand wipes. If that’s not any indicator of how messy you’re about to get, I’m not sure what is.
Following such a delicious meal, you’ll want to head even further south to the SandBar in North Salt Lake City to get the digestion process going with a bit of movement. This indoor/outdoor beach volleyball venue is the perfect place to end your beach-inspired outing. Open play is currently closed due to COVID, but you can still join a tournament, or pop in on Wednesday or Thursday nights from 6:00pm to 9:45pm to enjoy a few drinks with your friends!
I know that it’s not quite the same, but I hope that this beach-inspired day will help you cope with missing your favorite vacation spots this summer! Be sure to take lots of photos and tag #MyLocalUtah if you give any of these activities a go!