Certain types of work I can do by the pool or in a loud cafe. Mainly expository work like fleshing out a schema or writing doc / emails - where having external inputs guides my internal thought processes.

Implementing designs, for me requires zoning as much as possible. Desks are good for this (if open-style office, headsets with downtempo playing or preferably fewer colleagues around is best).

I'd never take non-hardened gear like a laptop to a beach... if I'm at the beach I'm there to have fun not work.