Sandy Hook or Sea Bright? (Long Branch: construction, live, beach)

[ansky]

Can anyone recommend a good beach in relatively close proximity to Essex County? I was thinking either Sandy Hook or Sea Bright. How is the traffic getting to these beaches on a late Saturday morning and returning late Saturday afternoon? I am thinking we'll take the Parkway to Route 36. What is the parking situation once we get there?

[vllygrrl]

With the bridge construction going on, getting to Sandy Hook and/or Sea Bright any later than 9am on a Saturday is a nightmare (I live a mile away ). Try Seven Presidents Park in Long Branch for a slightly better ride...

[Ms.Charlotte]

Sandy Hook is experiencing a lot of difficulties with traffic-hours just to get off the beach. If you choose to go there, I'd plan on getting there early and leaving early. It's $10 per carload, I believe.

Sea Bright has free municipal parking and street parking if you can find it.

The traffic throughout the area has been pretty bad from around 12pm on until everyone leaves at night. They are doing bridgework which has impacted the traffic quite a bit.

Good luck, and have fun!

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by vllygrrl

With the bridge construction going on, getting to Sandy Hook and/or Sea Bright any later than 9am on a Saturday is a nightmare (I live a mile away ). Try Seven Presidents Park in Long Branch for a slightly better ride...

What bridge construction? Are they finally fixing that draw bridge? I haven't been back in 2 years. Sandy Hook was always my favorite.

[Ms.Charlotte]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

What bridge construction? Are they finally fixing that draw bridge? I haven't been back in 2 years. Sandy Hook was always my favorite.

Not fixing it, replacing it

[FBone]

I would go to Seven Presidents to avoid some of the traffic. Pkwy exit 105. Keep straight on 36 and you'll run into it. Try to arrive by 11am to miss the racetrack crowds. The last race is around 6pm with thousands of cars heading out.

[HawaiiLover]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

What bridge construction? Are they finally fixing that draw bridge? I haven't been back in 2 years. Sandy Hook was always my favorite.

You'll be surprised at the size of the bridge they're building....FINALLY.
Traffic can be tough coming out of SH after 3PM, and that's on a weekday, so weekends should be worse. I never go to the beaches on weekends.
Enjoy your time wherever you go.

[tommccabe]

Late Saturday morning you are having a problem getting into Sandy Hook because it is probably closed due to capacity at that time. Try going early (be at Sandy Hook around 9) and you will have the pick of where you want to park and sit.

Traffic won't be good at any time you go, but the earlier the better. Friend told me that it took him about an hour just to get OFF of Sandy Hook due to traffic on Saturday afternoon. Imagine it is worse later in the afternoon.