Happily moving to South Orange in June. New to NJ. What is the closest nice beach to drive to (that allows parking, clean and swimmable) and how long does it take to drive there on a weekend?
There are many nice beaches within an hour's drive, and all have different qualities -- quiet or active, boardwalk or not -- and parking varies for all of them. Many people like Asbury Park, but we find it too busy. We used to go to Sandy Hook all the time, but it does fill up and there was always the question of whether we could get in, which is a bit of a gamble. Be aware that you will generally need to pay for a beach tag (although Sandy Hook is an admission fee as you drive into the park).
Driving wise - Sandy Hook and Asbury Park can take 1 hour with no traffic. So, it really depends on what you want from your beach experience. We tend to like Asbury park for Mogo - Korean Fusion Tacos. And it is nice to walk on the boardwalk which you don't have at Sandy Hook. Sandy Hook is beautiful and you do have more space. On the weekends - traffic is always an unknown, usually, I only notice up to an extra 30 minutes if traffic is bad. Anything further south you would risk more delays.
We have tried to just leave early so we don't have to worry about parking filling up.
Happily moving to South Orange in June. New to NJ. What is the closest nice beach to drive to (that allows parking, clean and swimmable) and how long does it take to drive there on a weekend?
You didn't ask but from your screen name I gather you might be interested in visiting the furthest beach town from here which is Cape May. I suggest you google it.
Another vote for Island Beach State Park and as you are a birder, there are blinds from which to bird watch. It is awesome. Also cool areas with no life guards if you want to stroll on the beach with few people around.
Born & raised in NJ but generally prefer more natural beaches of LI & New England. IMHO, Island Beach State Park is worth the extra 1/2 hour on the GSP, for a day trip, than other locations. Just dunes, sand & sea. Tip: on typical summer weekend you have to get up early and leave by 7 or 8 to assure you get in before they close the gate at around 9:30ish when they meet capacity. The Shore has a wide variety of character.
Another vote for Island Beach State Park and as you are a birder, there are blinds from which to bird watch. It is awesome. Also cool areas with no life guards if you want to stroll on the beach with few people around.
--- and if you're a senior, ya get in free. Sign up for the state parks pass.
If Island Beach State Park gates used to close due to capacity at 9:30, I wonder how early they will close now, if they are only letting in a fraction of cars and people? Also, you’re not supposed to go to the beach yet with anyone you haven’t been locked down with, so groups of friends and extended family aren’t to be there. That could cut down somewhat on attendance. Except that people are so anxious to get out of the house.
What are you looking for in a beach / what's your situation? The right beach for you is going to depend on a lot of factors, such as if you're 25 and looking to hook up and party (in a non-COVID time, I mean), or if you're 35 and want a gentle ocean experience for your toddlers, or if you're 55 and don't mind spending more for some serenity. (As it happens, the three suggestions I'd make for those situations are literally all right next to one another ... but very very different.)
What are you looking for in a beach / what's your situation? The right beach for you is going to depend on a lot of factors, such as if you're 25 and looking to hook up and party (in a non-COVID time, I mean), or if you're 35 and want a gentle ocean experience for your toddlers, or if you're 55 and don't mind spending more for some serenity. (As it happens, the three suggestions I'd make for those situations are literally all right next to one another ... but very very different.)
What are you looking for in a beach / what's your situation? The right beach for you is going to depend on a lot of factors, such as if you're 25 and looking to hook up and party (in a non-COVID time, I mean), or if you're 35 and want a gentle ocean experience for your toddlers, or if you're 55 and don't mind spending more for some serenity. (As it happens, the three suggestions I'd make for those situations are literally all right next to one another ... but very very different.)
Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, and Island Beach SP?
We loved Ocean Grove, just south of Asbury Park, about an hour drive on a weekday, total crapshoot on weekends, in a "normal" year. Quiet town, nice beach, esp. for kids, boardwalk for walking, food but no "amusements."
North to south: Asbury, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach, Avon, Belmar. All are nice, each has its own fans. And if you like to walk, you can stroll from one to the other along the boardwalk (you'd have to walk over the short drawbridge to get from Avon to Belmar).
Note that in season, each one has its own beach badges. Given the current virus situation, best to check the website of whichever one you want to go to. No doubt there will be specific rules, such as capacity limitation.
Thank you all for the incredibly helpful suggestions! Some days we will want serenity (just my husband and I) and some days we will have our 14 year old son with us- and a boardwalk would be fun. And yes- I absolutely can’t wait for the birdwatching opportunities at some of the beaches. Your suggestions covered them all - with maps, photos and videos to boot.
Another point here is I, until COVID-19, would go down to the shore about once a month, off season, which is any other season other than the summer. It is empty and delightful to walk on the boardwalks and beaches and stare at the ocean with few others, even if bundled up. Since there is far less traffic off season, you can go "further down " the shore within an hour. A real advantage of being close to the shore.
The closest, cleanest with a small food pavilion, showers and a nice beach is Seven Presidents in Longbranch. Less than an hours drive from MAPLEWOOD.
It's called "Seven Presidents" because 7 Presidents vacationed there. After Garfield was shot they brought him there, even building a special railway spur. They thought the seaside would make him better. It didn't.
Sorry, but I just finished reading Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
Thank you all for the incredibly helpful suggestions! Some days we will want serenity (just my husband and I) and some days we will have our 14 year old son with us- and a boardwalk would be fun. And yes- I absolutely can’t wait for the birdwatching opportunities at some of the beaches. Your suggestions covered them all - with maps, photos and videos to boot.
MOL really is incredibly helpful. I've gotten such valuable help here for everything from legal issues to teen crises to what series to stream next. FB is for drive-bys, MOL is a community. Welcome!
MOL really is incredibly helpful. I've gotten such valuable help here for everything from legal issues to teen crises to what series to stream next. FB is for drive-bys, MOL is a community. Welcome!
Thank you- and very much agreed. I have already received so much good information on MOL. I feel lucky to have you all as neighbors
As a birdwatcher, be sure to check out Cape May, especially during migration but really most any time. It is one of the birding hotspots of the nation! Closer to South Orange, there is plenty of good birding right in our town parks as well as the South Mountain Reservation. And, about a half hour away, don't miss the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge!
Happily moving to South Orange in June. New to NJ. What is the closest nice beach to drive to (that allows parking, clean and swimmable) and how long does it take to drive there on a weekend?