Buckle up, Jersey Shore locals. From now until Labor Day, our friends from up north and out west will be migrating to our beautiful beaches and contributing billions, yes, billions with a b, to the shore's local economy.
Many New Jerseyans refer to these people as "bennies," and it's usually meant in the least affectionate way possible.
Instead of putting a "Bennies Go Home" sticker on your back bumper and alienating the people that keep your town above water, there's another strategy you can use for the 2017 summer season: Go to one of these five quiet beaches that are some of the Jersey Shore's best kept secrets.
Here are five great quiet beaches along the Jersey Shore, in order from north to south:
5. Sandy Hook, Monmouth County
Sandy Hook is the first official beach of the Jersey Shore coastline. You can clearly see the iconic New York City skyline when you look out into the Atlantic.
Sandy Hook often gets overlooked by Jersey Shore visitors because it isn't the most convenient place to get to. It involves a lot of driving on Route 36, and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
In addition to your normal array of beach day activities, Sandy Hook offers hiking trails, a picnic area, and even a chance to visit the oldest working lighthouse in the United States.
In the mood to be nude? Sandy Hook has you covered. Gunnison Beach, New Jersey's only legal clothing-optional beach, exists within the Sandy Hook unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area. No sex allowed.
4. Avon-by-the-Sea, Monmouth County
This little slice of heaven is tucked between Bradley Beach and one of the most popular beaches in New Jersey — Belmar. Their police department is a bit aggressive. I'd highly recommend following the 25 mph speed limit like it's in the Bible and double-checking all parking signs.
Aside from that, treat yourself to a top of the line breakfast at Bing's Deli, the beautiful beach, and a drink or three at the always charming Norwood Inn, in that order.
3. Lavallette, Ocean County
Lavallette is a small beach town sandwiched between two of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, Point Pleasant and Seaside.
The small towndoes get some spillover from both of those hubs, but it's not enough to disturb you on any given day.
If I could, I would rent a house in Lavallette for a week every summer. The family friendly beaches are pristine and there's more than enough entertainment to go around in the surrounding towns. On certain nights you can see fireworks on both sides of you.
If you want to party, an $11-15 Uber ride can get you to Seaside. An Uber to Point Pleasant is slightly more, most likely in the $19-25 range. Lavallette is also home to one of my favorite mini golf courses in the state.
2. Seven Mile Island, Cape May County
There are two towns that occupy Seven Mile Island, and they both happen to be two of the quietest, cleanest, and well-organized beach destinations you could ever ask for.
While Avalon and Stone Harbor both offer activities for families and kids of all ages, these towns are tailor made for couples looking to get away from it all for a couple of days. Avalon and Stone Harbor are excellent places to celebrate your wedding anniversary.
The restaurants found in Stone Harbor and Avalon are hard to beat. No matter where you wind up, you'll always feel like you are in paradise. My go to choices are Cafe Loren and Uncle Bill's Pancake House in Avalon, and Jay's On Third in Stone Harbor.
1. Sunset Beach, Cape May County
Located at the very bottom of the Garden State is one of our few beaches where you can watch the sunset over the water.
When you look out into the ocean, you may see dolphins swimming in the distance. Peaking above the waves is the remaining wreckage of the S.S. Atlantus. Since the 1920s, the concrete ship has become a popular tourist attraction. Personally, I wish I was able to go back in time and see the S.S. Atlantus when it had a billboard on it.
Simply put, there is a whole lot of coastline to explore. What better time to check it out than now?
The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 producer, writer, and host Joe Votruba. Any opinions expressed are his own.
Questions, corrections, or comments? Send Joe Votruba an email. Follow Joe on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Sure thing! Let's break down the concepts and information from the article you provided about the Jersey Shore's quiet beaches, as well as some additional references to New Jersey-specific topics.
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Jersey Shore Beaches: The article highlights lesser-known, serene beaches along the Jersey Shore. These beaches are often quieter and less frequented by tourists. They include Sandy Hook, Avon-by-the-Sea, Lavallette, Seven Mile Island (including Avalon and Stone Harbor), and Sunset Beach.
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Sandy Hook: Located in Monmouth County, Sandy Hook is the first official beach of the Jersey Shore coastline. It offers views of the iconic New York City skyline and activities such as hiking trails, picnicking, and visiting the oldest working lighthouse in the United States. Gunnison Beach, a clothing-optional beach, is also situated within Sandy Hook.
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Avon-by-the-Sea: Positioned between Bradley Beach and Belmar, Avon-by-the-Sea offers a serene environment. The article recommends visiting Bing's Deli for breakfast, enjoying the beach, and stopping by the Norwood Inn for drinks.
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Lavallette: A small beach town in Ocean County, Lavallette sits between Point Pleasant and Seaside. It's described as family-friendly, with pristine beaches and surrounding entertainment. There's a mention of nearby attractions like fireworks and accessibility to neighboring towns for partying or activities.
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Seven Mile Island: Comprised of Avalon and Stone Harbor in Cape May County, these towns are considered quiet, clean, and well-organized for couples seeking a peaceful getaway. The article highlights excellent dining options such as Cafe Loren, Uncle Bill's Pancake House in Avalon, and Jay's On Third in Stone Harbor.
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Sunset Beach: Located at the southern end of Cape May County, Sunset Beach offers sunset views over the water and a glimpse of the S.S. Atlantus wreckage, a popular tourist attraction. It's mentioned as a serene place with a historical element.
Regarding additional references to New Jersey-specific topics in the text:
- Joe Votruba: The author of the article, a New Jersey 101.5 producer, writer, and host.
- Dave Portnoy's Pizza Reviews: Dave Portnoy, known as El Presidente, reviews local pizzerias. The article doesn't delve into the specific reviews, but it references his reviews in New Jersey.
- Vinyl and Record Stores in New Jersey: There's a brief mention of independently owned record stores in New Jersey, emphasizing the enduring popularity of vinyl.
- Governors of New Jersey: While not elaborated upon in the text, there's a suggestion that information about every governor New Jersey has had might be available elsewhere.
Each section provides insights into various destinations along the Jersey Shore, catering to different preferences for beachgoers or tourists visiting the area.
