As a lifelong resident of New Jersey, I had been going “down the shore” my whole life. Point Pleasant, Belmar, Seaside Heights, LBI, etc. But due to grad school and work, I haven’t been down there for at least 7-8 years. So where are the best beaches now? I’m taking my Canadian wife down the shore tomorrow, and I want to impress her with Jersey’s beaches, so I’d prefer a place that not only has a great beach, but also decent beach side restaurants and other activites.
How far down did you want to go? I’m from Wildwood Crest, and I get back there pretty often. The beaches in the Wildwoods are very nice. The worst thing people can say about them is that they’re too wide. It’s a long walk from the street to the surf. Also, they’ve managed to keep them free.
Cape May is probably better for “couple” activities, though. Again, that’s only if you’re willing to travel that far south.
The best one - although not free, like the Wildwoods - is Ocean City.
They can get a little crowded, of course, but you’re in close proximity to the boardwalk, and it’s a very clean, pleasant town. Ocean City is dry, and the town is a very family-friendly place as a result.
Now, if you don’t need the boardwalk and just want the beach itself, I wholly recommend Island Beach State Park. It does cost money to get in, but they charge you by the carload, not by the person. There are pavilions at each beach for food and drink and rentals, too.
Good point cuauhtemoc. Actually, I’m from North Jersey, so I wouldn’t want to drive for more than 1.5 hours, since it’s only for a day. So I wouldn’t want to go further south than Exit 80 or so on the Parkway.
Many of my favorite childhood memories are of the beach in Margate, a few blocks from my grandparents’ house and about a 10-minute drive from Atlantic City. I haven’t been there in far too long, so I don’t know what the deal with beach tokens is anymore. Peaceful, but no boardwalk, which I don’t know whether it’s a plus or minus for you. And for the best cheesesteak sandwiches in the whole world, go to the White House in Atlantic City.
(Damn! Now I’m hungry!)
Ocean City is fun, too, but we used to go there for the boardwalk kiddie rides and frozen custard/saltwater taffy rather than the beaches per se.
Man, it’s been far too long since I was there…I miss the ocean!
I’ve always thought that Jersey beaches don’t get the respect they deserve. I’d love to own a cottage there, and I live in CO.
Ocean City works well for my family, but the boardwalk is part of that. (And my mom loves the Ferris Wheel.) If you want some seclusion, Island Beach State Park is nice, but you no last minute bathroom trips.
I’m a Seaside Heights guy myself, but I’ve heard good things about Long Beach Island.
Mmmmm, salt water taffy.
I loooove Long Beach Island, but haven’t been there since I was a kid (my aunt has a beach house there).
Actually, anyone have any travel tips for Long Beach Island, i.e. places to stay or ways to get there besides driving? My cousin is getting married there in September.
I am on total countdown to my departure for Cape May first thing Saturday morning.
My favorite beach for beachin’, though, is Island Beach State Park. If you park at the first area, you’re just south of a long, long, long stretch of beach with nothing built behind it – you can walk a couple of miles with nothing but sand and water (and other walkers, of course).
I was on the Jersey Shore for the very first time last weekend. (kind of a work thing but not too much work) I was at Point Pleasant Beach. It was nice as I just took the NJTransit train down from NYC and walked to the beach. I was very suprised that they charged to get on the actual beach. ($6.50 adults on weekends)
I played skee ball and got some salt water taffy. Was there anything else I was supposed to do?