San Diego is known for its mild climate and year-round sunshine, making it a great place to spend time outdoors and catch some rays. But its southern latitude combined with the high number of sunny days greatly increases the danger of sunburn, skin cancer, and sun disease in comparison to places further north. While the best protection from the sun is to stay out of it, people don’t visit San Diego to stay inside. More likely, you’re headed to San Diego to play on the beach and enjoy warm outdoor temperatures, regardless of the time of year. Following are some tips for avoiding bad sunburn, or even a mild one, on your trip to San Diego.

1. Wear Sunscreen. While this one may seem overtly obvious, the importance of wearing sunscreen can’t be stressed enough, even if you think you’re only going to be outside for a short period of time. Sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15 or higher should be applied to all parts of your body that will see the sun 30 minutes prior to exposure, and it should be reapplied every two hours. If you’ll be swimming, be sure to choose a waterproof sunscreen and reapply it every time you get out of the water.

On your face and shoulders, it’s advisable to wear a higher SPF that’s face-specific, even if your makeup or morning moisturizer already contains sunscreen. A higher SPF is also advisable for younger children, whose skin hasn’t had as much sun exposure and less resistance. Babies under six months shouldn’t wear sunscreen at all, so you’ll need to be prepared with plenty of light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and a protective shade device in addition to the one built into your stroller or carrier. Babies over six months should wear a baby-specific sunscreen, which with an SPF of 45 or more.

2. Wear protective clothing. Even if you’re liberally applying sunscreen, it’s always a good idea to give your skin a break with some lightweight, light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants, especially if you have a full day of outdoor activities planned. Clothing with built-in UV protection can be purchased at many outdoor clothing stores. Choose moisture-wicking synthetic materials over cotton in order to help you stay cool and dry. It’s a good idea to wear a hat at all times when outdoors to protect your face, neck, and shoulders. Large-brimmed sun hats make a good choice for the ladies, while men may be better suited to a cowboy-style hat. Sunglasses are another essential item in San Diego, which help protect your eyes from both immediate and long-term UV damage.
3. Take a break from the sun. If you’re spending long days at the beach or anywhere outside, take a break between 11am and 2pm when the sun’s rays are most intense and damaging. Find a cool spot indoors to eat lunch and take an afternoon siesta immediately afterward to give everyone an hour or so to digest. The midday hours can also be a good time to go grocery shopping, mall shopping, or catch a movie.
4. Alternate days in the sun with days indoors. Spending several days in a row outside is far more damaging to your skin, so plan your vacation in advance to include days with both indoor and outdoor activities that alternate every other day. In addition to its beaches, San Diego is also known for its plethora of museums, which can provide a wonderful day-long haven from the sun.
5. Bring some shade with you to the beach. Don’t forget that sand and water reflect light off the ground and back onto your body, giving you a double dose of sunshine at the beach. While beaches sometimes provide large umbrellas and other shade devices, you may have to get there early to stake your claim. Bringing shade with you will ensure that you and your family have a place to nap and relax away from the glaring rays. Options include anything from portable large shade umbrellas to shade tents. If you’re out walking around in the sun all day, it’s not a bad idea to carry an umbrella or parasol with you to shade you from the sun no matter where you find yourself.
6. Pre-tan before your vacation. Getting some sun exposure and a light tan before you leave home will help protect your skin from long days of rays on your vacation. Tanning beds provide an even tan in a short period of time, and if your skin hasn’t seen the light of day in awhile, artificial tanning for only ten to fifteen minutes just a few times can be enough to do the trick. You can wear protective lotion with a low (2-4) SPF to block harmful rays and still get a little color. Self-tanning lotion will also give you a base tan that helps protect your skin from the sun, but be sure to apply it evenly and wash your hands immediately.
7. Don’t be fooled by sea level, cloudy days, or winter sun. While sun is more intense at higher altitudes than at sea level, the lower latitude of San Diego is enough to compensate for the difference, especially in winter when the sun is lower in latitude, lower in the sky, and closer to the earth. Likewise, don’t go without sunscreen on cloudy days, as your skin can still burn through the clouds, and the weather may change at a moment’s notice.
8. Beware of medications. If you’re taking any medications, even over the counter ones, you may want to discuss the risk of your meds and sun exposure with your doctor or pharmacists and do some research online. Many medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and increase your risk of sunburn, even for several days after you stop taking them. Common culprits include certain types of antibiotics, acne medications, oral contraceptives, as well as ibuprofen.