Depending on your trek to the beach, there are some essentials I will always keep in my car/van/backpack. Of course, this doesn't include your board, wetsuit, booties, and leash. I'm talking about the things that you need/ make the cold weather enjoyable!
The first thing I ALWAYS make sure I bring is my changing towel. Years before this, I wouldn't mind just changing out of my wetsuit with a beach towel, maybe flashing people in a particular direction, but now it's so nice, especially when you're far from the car, and it's raining/misting. These are so easy to make even! Just take two towels, goodwill or new, and sew them together and leaving holes for your arms and head to pop through. Simple! I, however, have an old FCS changing towel with a pocket on the inside? Maybe it's for your fins, not too sure but I use mine for snacks!
The next thing I always bring is an FCS Ratchet tool. This small tool comes in handy more than you think. Stripped screw? It has you covered. Although I've never had that problem, knock on wood. Since I have a longboard, I have a couple of fins that have different screws, which isn't a problem! There's a little compartment for all the attachments on the bottom of the tool, so nothing gets lost! I lose everything. Literally, if my head weren't attached, it would be long gone by now!
Some Zinc or sunscreen always makes it in my bag or is stashed away in my car somewhere. For Zinc, I use natural-based things that are reef safe. Have you ever seen that photo of the volatile oil in popular warm water destinations left by tourists? Yeah, that's from non-reef-safe sunscreen by a LOT of people. That's what happens every time you surf if you think about it. The difference is the oil vs. mineral base. Also! It's better for your skin, so that's a plus!
The last thing I always bring is a backpack. Ha! Of course, I bring this, how would I bring everything else? Ok, but this backpack is pretty rad. My boyfriend Taylor gifted me this super rad Dakine Cyclone II 36L Dry Bag backpack for my birthday this year, and because of it, I (usually) won't forget my essentials to surf (Leash, booties, etc.). Rain? No prob, it keeps your things dry. Post surf soggy suit? Toss it in, and you'll stay dry. Just don't forget about it in there! Yeh, we've all been there.
Some bonus items are my small Sony SRS-XB12 Portable Speaker, Simpler Wines from Trader Joes and my Nano Puff blanket from Rumple. Weather, sand, and drop resistant, the Sony speakers are pretty great if you're looking for an affordable speaker you can beat up. The Simpler wines are 2.99 ( + can deposit), and they're pretty dang good. The Nano Puff is excellent because it packs down to the size of a grapefruit, dries fast if it gets wet and is a great lounge towel.