Northern Jersey Beaches? (Atlantic City, Long Branch, Point Pleasant: appointed, homes, live)

[rose2507]

Hi. I recently moved to Rockland County, NY and am trying to plan a weekend trip to the Jersey Shore. But I am not familiar with any of the nice beaches around North Jersey. I have only been to Atlantic City before and am looking for a shorter commute, maybe an hour from Rockland at most. Any suggestions?

[EEEPNJ]

I don't think you'll hit any at 1 hour. But a little more can take you to Spring Lake if you want a pretty/quiet beach and a town with lovely Victorian homes and charm. Nice little places to eat and a lovely lake in the center of town.

If you want more Jersey ****** Tonk and boardwalk games and greasy cheese steaks - go to Point Pleasant. There is also a small aquarium and amusement rides and some nightlife (although not as much as before labor day.)

Different experiences, but both great!

[rose2507]

Thanks! I don't mind driving a bit longer but I do want a beach rather than a lake. I will check out Pt. Pleasant if that is the closest.

[EEEPNJ]

Oh, Spring Lake IS a beach community - and a very nice one. They also have a small, but very picturesque, lake in the center of town. They are both really neat places to visit!

Enjoy!

[solibs]

North Jersey doesn't have beaches but the Parkway exits for beaches in Monmouth County start at exit 117 and end around exit 98.

So if you lived in some place like Spring Valley the closest beach would be Sea Bright at about 75 miles. Each town in Monmouth Co. has its own vibe but the only town that people can honestly say isn't up to par is Asbury Park. Sea Bright, Long Branch, Allenhurst, Bradely Beach, Ocean Grove, Avon, Belmar, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Manasquan and Point Pleasant are all worth a gander.

[rose2507]

What about Long Branch, NJ? Are there nice beaches w/boardwalks in Monmouth county?

[rose2507]

Sorry Solibs, I didn't see your post before posting myself. I am looking for something similar to Atlantic City and Pt. Pleasant with a boardwalk and beach scene. Monmouth county is closer for me. From the towns that you listed, do you know which one is similar to what I am looking for?

[EEEPNJ]

Based on that Rose, I'd go for Pt. Pleasant. You won't be disappointed. Go to Jenkinson's Boardwalk and you'll see a lot of what it has to offer.

[FromDaSack]

Why not in along CT's coast along the LI sound. or LI beaches.

but other then that, i dont know that many beaches close to north jersey besides Asbury Park and Long branch, which are decent beaches..

Point Pleasent and Seaside Hts are nice beaches but thats more south.. but not to bad.

btw they're all closed till summer anyway

[rose2507]

Pt. Pleasant does sound like what I am looking for. From reading others' posts, Long Branch is closer but it is more of a quiet town, not a destination town.

Driving from Rockland County to Long Island will take the same 1.5 to 2 hours (traffic) and it be will a bit colder and more expensive for the weekend.