We are also a family of 4 but don't have this problem. We don't bring a stroller (just a carrier). We buy food or diapers there if we run out. We do laundry rather than bring hoards of clothes.

Lots of good advice, but I just wanted to point out that there's a huge difference in cargo volume between a "large SUV" and a minivan. If you had a minivan, and especially if you fold the third row, you can take your whole house with you.

I dint know why you can't figure this out. Are you renting a house in a food desert? Why are you bringing what you can buy there? Why such a huge stroller? Make your kids walk.

We bring a trailer but we're serious beach goers with surf boards, tents, corn hole, etc. Plus I'm a coffee snob, so I have to have my Nespresso. Plus the dog gets the entire cargo area on my SUV.

I buy all my food there, maybe pack a small cooler with small stuff like salt/pepper, my kitchen knives, ziplock bags. Houses we rent include linens and towels and chairs. Most will also have a buggy to transport items to beach.

I only buy food for meals through mid week. We plan for leftovers or pizza the last few days so there isn't a lot of throw away.

OP, suggest you read list of items provided for your rental and eliminate what is already there.

I only take a backpack of clothes and do laundry when needed.

OP needs to acknowledge the questions that were posed.

As multiple people said, buy food when you get there. That alone will save you a lot of space. I have seen some beach houses have a pack and play and a high chair.

Anonymous wrote:Edit the clothes.

For the kids -- 5 outfits total, plus what they are wearing. 2 pairs of PJs, a long sleeved shirt in case it gets cool, shoes that can get wet, shoes to play on a playground (wear one pair of shoes), 2 sets swim clothes.

For yourself, much the same amount, in the adult versions.

Then edit again.

3 outfits at MOST. 1 pair of pjs (seriously? it's a week!)

Of course, at our house (with 4 families) there is laundry happening constantly - you can always slip something in.

Edit the clothes.

For the kids -- 5 outfits total, plus what they are wearing. 2 pairs of PJs, a long sleeved shirt in case it gets cool, shoes that can get wet, shoes to play on a playground (wear one pair of shoes), 2 sets swim clothes.

For yourself, much the same amount, in the adult versions.

Anonymous wrote:We used up almost all over our car space with a family of 3 this year. We will have 4 of us next year, and I'm going to get a roof carrier for the suitcases.

The beach chairs are always a problem.

But yes, don't bring groceries. I bring some snacks, mostly for the car ride and to tide us over, but we do the major shopping there. Make sure you buy a 6 pack of COLD beer (or a bottle of COLD wine) so that you can have a drink on arrival and not wait for the warm fridge to cool it all down...

in the past we have stayed at Sea Colony and just paid to rent chairs or in out banks at homes that come with chairs.

Anonymous wrote:we brought a double Bob one year and still managed to fit everything in the car (Rav4). I do pride myself on my car organization skills

I used every bit of space I had (sheets/soft in compartment under back trunk area), soft cooler just big enough for lunch, one large soft suitcase/duffel, beach bag and towels go on floor in back seat.

We also do all grocery shopping when we get there and as others mentioned we don't over pack clothing. Over the years I have found that no matter how much clothing I bring i always end up wearing the same 2-3 things, especially at the beach where 80% of the time I am in a bathing suite.

This is so true. I finally convinced my husband last year that he wasn't going to use 7 pairs of boxers. He took 5. Pretty sure he only used about 3.

We aren't doing a beach vacation this year, so all the progress I've made in "you really won't wear a lot of clothes" will probably be lost!

I feel like with clothes, take 1/2 of what you'd normally wear, and you might still have an extra outfit or two. We tend to stay at the beach house and not go out for dinner.

Anonymous wrote:Strap Granny to the roof

We tease my mom that she has to behave on the trip or we'll go Griswald on her!!

We used up almost all over our car space with a family of 3 this year. We will have 4 of us next year, and I'm going to get a roof carrier for the suitcases.

The beach chairs are always a problem.

But yes, don't bring groceries. I bring some snacks, mostly for the car ride and to tide us over, but we do the major shopping there. Make sure you buy a 6 pack of COLD beer (or a bottle of COLD wine) so that you can have a drink on arrival and not wait for the warm fridge to cool it all down...

we brought a double Bob one year and still managed to fit everything in the car (Rav4). I do pride myself on my car organization skills

I used every bit of space I had (sheets/soft in compartment under back trunk area), soft cooler just big enough for lunch, one large soft suitcase/duffel, beach bag and towels go on floor in back seat.

We also do all grocery shopping when we get there and as others mentioned we don't over pack clothing. Over the years I have found that no matter how much clothing I bring i always end up wearing the same 2-3 things, especially at the beach where 80% of the time I am in a bathing suite.

Umbrella stroller and buy majority of food items when you arrive

Anonymous wrote:Strap Granny to the roof

or the kids

Strap Granny to the roof