Spanish language Q&A Forum

I'm a bit confused on when to use hacia vs. para for "toward" a destination?  Two of the introductory examples in this section indicate para can be used for "to/toward".  One of these examples is "Vamos para la playa porque hay una fiesta".   Would it be incorrect to say "Vamos hacia la playa porque hay una fiesta"?   My sense is that "hacia" means just going toward an end point or destination, without implying an actual arrival or end point.  Is this the difference?  Thanks for clarifying.   

Silvia y Inma, you make a great team. I love this section of the website and wish it popped up twice a week! 

Besos . . .

Garry

I missed “que” in my comment below. Shirley. 

I am still confused when to use and when to omit the definite article.  I end up guessing, which is sometimes right and often wrong.  Example 1: "En lo que se refiere a incendios forestales." We're talking about forest fires in general and there is no definite article "los".  Example 2: "Es importante que no nos olvidemos del cambio climatico."  The English statement is that we must not forget about climate change in general.  This time there is the definite article "el" or "del".  Is there a rule or guideline that might clear this up for me?  Thanks.