calling Jersey Shore people

[njcarita]

I haven't been down the shore in about 3 years--

I'm thinking of driving down for the day-- with the kids and spend a day on the beach--

I don't want a long drive-- just about an hour--
so I'm thinking of the following shore points
Sandy Hook, Belmar , Spring Lake or Point Pleasant.

Any suggestions or better idea????

thanks

 

[njsweetP]

Hi there. I'm on the Jersey shore. From whereabouts will you be coming from? Long Branch (7 President's Park) has a great beach and it's in walking distance to Pier Village, where there are great shops and restaurants. Belmar is ok, but wouldn't want to spend the day there (lived there for 6 years an NEVER went to that beach)....always went more south to Sea Girt. I don't live in Belmar, but go the beach in Long Branch (belong to beach club there). HTH

 

[njcarita]

Hi there. I'm on the Jersey shore. From whereabouts will you be coming from? Long Branch (7 President's Park) has a great beach and it's in walking distance to Pier Village, where there are great shops and restaurants. Belmar is ok, but wouldn't want to spend the day there (lived there for 6 years an NEVER went to that beach)....always went more south to Sea Girt. I don't live in Belmar, but go the beach in Long Branch (belong to beach club there). HTH

I'll be coming from Warren County---

I went to long branch when I was a kid-- they us to have a haunted mansion on it--

what is Pier Village????

 

[tazdev3225]

I don't know where you're coming from but I went to Seaside Heights a few years ago. It was a nice little town, the beach seemed clean (it rained the day I went), and they have a cute little boardwalk. I prefer the areas much farther south like Ocean City or preferably Wildwood but they are about a 2 or 3 hour ride from the far north area.

 

[FozzieFan]

I live in the area you're talking about and work right outside of point pleasant. It all depends what you want to get out of your day at the beach. If you're just looking for sand to sit on and ocean to enjoy Seven Presidents in Long Branch is great! Pier Village is a condo complex that they built right down the road ( I think it's a bit far to walk) where the whole bottom level is shopping and restaurants including a stewart's rootbeer and things like that. Although directly across the street from the entrance to Seven Presidents is Windmill hotdog (one of my favorites) and Strollo's Italian Ice, so there are options if you don't want to pack lunch or for a treat.

Now if you want a boardwalk with games and mini golf and that whole thing seaside or pt. pleasant would be your best bet. In my mind they are both the same. Pt. pleasant has an aquarium on the boardwalk, smallish but fun if your kids are into that thing.

I agree with the previous poster, Belmar is not somewhere I would ever really go as a local, just too many people for no real reason.

 

[dvcgirl]

I don't know where you're coming from but I went to Seaside Heights a few years ago. It was a nice little town, the beach seemed clean (it rained the day I went), and they have a cute little boardwalk. I prefer the areas much farther south like Ocean City or preferably Wildwood but they are about a 2 or 3 hour ride from the far north area.

Oh god....avoid Seaside Heights. I grew up in that general area and we call it Sleazeside Heights. Rough crowd.....

 

[meriface11]

i would recommend point pleasant if you want the boardwalk atmosphere for the kids. but if you just want to go to the beach and enjoy the ocean, i would go to 7 presidents, bradley beach or manasquan. belmar is too crowded and too cheesy. spring lakers aren't too tolerant with out of towners. i live in CT now, but grew up in monmouth county on the central jersey shore and miss it terribly. although i now live less than a mile from the beach here in CT, the LI Sound is not the ocean.

 

[J3nn78]

I would say Point Pleasant if you want/need boardwalk. If you just want a beach, we like Manasquan. I am in Warren County and we go to the beach often. I think Manasquan takes us about 1.5 hours. Pt Pleasant is closer to 2 hours.
Nothing really in one hours drive.

 

[njziggy]

I second the idea of Point Pleasant (if you are looking for boardwalk). They have lots of arcades & rides there. You chould check out their website...movies certain nights & fireworks, etc...
I don't like the Belmar beach but, prefer the Avon beach (washington ave. by the cove/inlet). It is a primarily family beach there- kids 11 & under free. Many kids seine & look for hermit crabs. There are places to boogie board, a few playgrounds & of course swim. You can take a good walk up the boardwalk for a hotdog or ice cream. Have fun.

 

[coach's wife]

I say...Ocean city...

I've been going there since I was little and now I go with my kids. They have a boardwalk for things like rides and all the food you normally get at the boardwalk.

I like it because it is a "dry" town....and not as rowdy as some of the others get... but since most of the college kids are back at school I don't think you'll have to worry that much about that...

But in all fairness I haven't been to any other places down the shore in several years.

Whatever you decide...have a great time.

 

[ColleenG]

I agree with previous posts, either Point Pleasant or Manasquan depending on what you want to do. I live in Point and we want to go to Manasquan. My neighbors say it's a bit quieter and more family friendly if you just want to sit in the sand and enjoy the surf.

 

[J3nn78]

I say...Ocean city...

OC is going to be at least 3 hours from OP location. But I do agree it is a nice family friendly spot. But, being from NJ we like to find the quieter not as touristy places which is why I suggested Manasquan. It is just a quiet ocean town. THen we LOVE LOVE LOVE taking a drive up the coast from there. THere are some CRAZY expensive homes there. Some really neat little towns.

 

[kab407]

If you are willing to drive to Seaside, keep heading a little further south and spend the day Island Beach State Park.

 

[sjms71]

If you are willing to drive to Seaside, keep heading a little further south and spend the day Island Beach State Park.

You read my mind . I was just going to suggest the same thing. Island Beach State Park is the best. We really miss it being in NC now.

 

[addicted2dizney]

IBSP is very nice too, just be sure to be there on the earlier side because it can close if it reaches capacity. Then it reopens around 3 when people start to leave.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I 2nd the Long Branch/Pier Village idea. Nice beach, great spots for lunch and peoiple watching. Do stop in for italian ice at the Lighthouse.

 

[luvmy3]

Oh god....avoid Seaside Heights. I grew up in that general area and we call it Sleazeside Heights. Rough crowd.....

We aren't locals and thats what we call it too

If you are willing to drive to Seaside, keep heading a little further south and spend the day Island Beach State Park.

ITA, it is really worth the extra drive. The last time we were there my ds got very sick, he had a temp of 103 so we had to cut our stay short. We haven't been back in 2 years, but next time we go to the shore we will go there.

Last Labor Day we stayed in Lavalette(sp?) IT was a place recommended by a friend, and it was nice. The beach was very clean and not too crowded and we spent one whole day at Jenkinsons which the kids really loved. I would go back there for a long weekend too.

 

[njcarita]

op here--
just wanted to thank everyone for their replies--

we ended up going to Long Branch on Monday-- went to 7 Presidents park and than over to pier village--
had a wonderful day--

we will be heading back there again next week!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[njsweetP]

So glad you enjoyed Long Branch! It's a great beach and Pier Village is just so nice! You had a beautiful day too! I was there (down the beach a little at the beach club) too!

 

[LovintheLodge]

op here--
just wanted to thank everyone for their replies--

we ended up going to Long Branch on Monday-- went to 7 Presidents park and than over to pier village--
had a wonderful day--

we will be heading back there again next week!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds great. I've heard that 7 President's Beach is nice, but haven't been there yet. Maybe I'll get there before the summer's over!

I have to agree with other posters...Island Beach State Park is really nice...and cheap! The cost per car is $6 weekdays and $10 weekends, which is a bargain at the Jersey shore!