just got back from first trip to jersey shore-loved it!! (Ocean City: where to stay, to rent)

[amyla]

Thanks for those who replied to my thread asking questions about Ocean City-we came back yesterday from a 5 night stay and loved it-our kids and my sisters family-we are all born and raised and living on Long Island- cannot wait until we go back next summer. Thanks again-the advice on where to stay was awesome!

[ReluctantGardenStater]

For all the flak New Jersey gets, I'm not willing to concede that its beaches and seaside resorts aren't among the best in the nation.

I've never been to California or Hawaii, so I won't comment on those beaches, but what I can say about Florida: As much as I enjoy the state of FL for various other reasons, I feel its beaches leave a bit much to be desired. Maybe it's because I was raised in this state, but give me cool water and waves everyday over warm water with all the excitement of a pool or bathtub.

Glad to hear a NYer enjoyed our humble abode.

[BergenCountyJohnny]

Glad to hear you liked it, Amyla. I think most people are surprised at how incredibly nice and enjoyable the Jersey Shore is when they go for the first time.

To RGS's points - I've never been to Hawaii, but it sounds like the beaches there are perfection, warm water but not too warm, warm or hot air but more dry than humid, beautiful sand, blue water, etc. But you have to pay an arm and a leg to go there. California's beaches are beautiful, but the water is TOO COLD. Jersey's water in the summer gets warmer than CA's. And Florida, I think, has beautiful beaches. Yes, the water is often bathtub warm, but the water is clear and it is very Caribbean-like. You're right, it's not as refreshing as our cooler water, but it's still nice.

However, Jersey, on top of offering beautiful beaches with the right temperature water, is also unique because of how our Shoreline is. We we have one of the longest uninterrupted shore lines, and our state's residents can get there within a short, easy drive. And the shore offers a few options for EACH type of shore-goer. Our shore is rightfully a state treasure to be coveted.

[dhanu86]

Haven't been to beach yet this summer because so busy but we plan to go tomorrow, to Ocean City because we've never been there, funny to being I'm from south jersey. I think the croud down there should be less as well which is what we want. We plan to leave early tomorrow morning around 8 and return late so we don't hit much traffic.

[USER876]

I wasn't overly impressed with Hawaii beaches.

[luckyshoes]

Seaside resorts? Where? That's the one thing that annoys me about the Jersey Shore. The only places to stay seem to be houses that you have to rent for a week, or motels.

[digi21]

Glad you enjoyed Ocean City! We go every year and I never get tired of it.

[soulsurv]

I'll be doing my Cape May trek the second week of September. Had to skip last year due to ailing parents. CAN'T WAIT!!!! Pristine beaches, 4-star restaurants and QUIET, for the most part. Thank you, New Jersey!!

[dhanu86]

I went there today and found all the people on their bicycles annoying, but besides that I'd rank it n.j.s 3rd best beach, very bike family beach, u can ride in the middle of the road and it's acceptable, next time I'll rent a bike there.

[VeradoDan]

Well, it's tough to compare NJ's beaches to Hawaii or some places in California, but really, I've found the majority of NJ's beaches to be cleaner and better-maintained than most other places. If we banned smoking, we'd probably have the absolute cleanest in the nation since there would be no more butts.