I was at the beach with my hubby and one year old

yes there is sand in the lens mechanism
You could try using a compressor or can of compressed air around the lens. Then smack it hard a few times in your palm then tuern on to see if you have releaed the sand from the mechanism do this till it works again,OR just buy a new camera as the techs ( who will do the same as I have instructed you will charge $180 for the repair and possibly tell you it isnt fixable anyway. Keep persisting with the air and smacks.