Jersey Shore, NJ

All of the beaches at the Jersey Shore are clean and well maintained by the individual town’s beach departments. Beach maintenance is supported by the sale of daily and seasonal beach badges. Cost is $4-8 per day. Manasquan and Point Pleasant beaches are more family oriented with snack bars, arcades and rides. Spring Lake and Sea Girt are more adult friendly and are quieter, fewer children. Our favorite has always been the south end of Sea Girt beach at Philadelphia Blvd.

Sea Watch, at the north end of Manasquan Beach have changing facilities and showers. Good if you are staying farther north but want to stay down for dinner.

Monmouth County offers 6 public golf courses, two of which Howell and Hominy Hill, are consistently rated among the top public courses in the country. Our choice is Hominy Hill in Colts Neck, about a 15 minute drive from the Shore. Great layout, well maintained, well managed. Zagat called it, “. Augusta of New Jersey.”

Manasquan (2nd Ave. Stockton Beach Park), Brielle (Union lane and South Street) and Spring Lake (Passaic Ave.) all offer outdoor public courts.

The “boards” as the boardwalks are called are ideal and scenic for walking or running along the ocean. Spring Lake is the longest about 4 miles up and back, followed by Sea Girt at just under 2 miles both ways, Manasquan is a mile each way. Bikes are only allowed on the boardwalks before 9am in season, anytime out of season. The Manasquan Reservoir, located about 20 minutes away is a natural preserve and has a beautiful 5 mile trail through the woods and along the reservoir. Wonderful place to walk, run or bike. There is a lengthy bike path through the woods, starting on North Main Street in Manasquan and stretching out almost to Allaire State Park. See also the Manasquan Reservoir above. Bikes can be rented a Shore Riders Bike Rentals in Point Pleasant.

Kayaking in and around the Manasquan River is both great exercise and wonderful way to spend an hour or two. Glide past the beautiful riverfront homes of Brielle or marvel at the wildlife in the small tributaries of the river. Now there’s a place in Manasquan that rents kayaks by the hour or day. Paddle Out in Manasquan at 537 Main Street opens at 10am, but if you call the night before they’ll meet you as early as 8am and there are special early bird rates. regular hourly rates are $20 single and $30 double. They have car top holders and also offer guided tours.

Gambling and top notch shows are about an hour and fifteen to an hour and thirty minutes away in Atlantic City. Drive yourself or contact Concorde Limousine (see “Good to Know”) for a car.

Spring Lake Theatre Company 3rd Ave, Spring Lake For 26 years the Spring Lake Theatre Company has been producing quality theatrical productions like South Pacific, Man of LaMancha, Scrooge and more. Usually 5-6 plays a year.

Surf fishing is very popular in the area with striped bass and blue fish the usual catch. Young guy recently caught a 52lb striper in the surf. You’ll have to bring your own pole, but you can get everything else you need at Bogan’s Basin in Brielle, on Higgins Ave. Brielle is the deep sea fishing capital of the East offering both charter boats and party boats. Charter boat fees run about $500 per half day and $1100 full day. The local’s choice for charter boats is the Captain Kel and the Barb Gail IV, the Jamaica II for fluke and the Paramount for sea bass.

Monmouth Park Rt. 36, Long Branch No better way to spend a cloudy day than the beautiful Monmouth Park. Clean, well managed facility with manicured grounds, top horses and jockeys. Season runs late May to late September. Watch the races in the Clubhouse, less crowded than the grandstand and it has dining facilities.

The PNC Bank Arts Center Located in Holmdel about a 30 minute drive north on the Garden State Parkway. This outdoor amphitheatre is a beautiful venue and hosts some of the top acts touring each summer. Tailgate early in the parking lot on grassy meridians and enjoy great sounds under the summer sky. Count Basie Theater is on Monmouth Ave. in Red Bank This small indoor theater offers interesting concert and theatrt productions throughout the year. It’s intimate setting gets you up close to the performers.

Shopping

There are many quaint and interesting shops in the towns of Spring Lake, Manasquan and Point Pleasant. Two full size malls in Eatontown and Toms River are within a 20 minute drive and there are 2 factory outlet malls one in Tinton Falls and a very large one in Jackson about 20 minutes away on Rt. 195.

Check out ShoreFoodie for restaurant deals and entertainment. Take a look at the weekend edition of the Asbury Park Press.

Breakfast/Brunch

Committed Pig, Main Street in downtown Manasquan. Creative and delicious breakfasts. John & Elaine’s, Rt. 35 Point Pleasant. The local’s favorite place. Love the cozy booths in the main room. Pancakes to die for, try the pumpkin pancakes in the Fall.  Buttered Biscuit, Bradley Beach. Worth the trip no matter where you are staying. Best corned beef hash around. Fresh squeezed OJ, grilled crumb cake. Great home fries. Turning Point, the Jersey Shore’s own “chain” serves breakfast, brunch and lunch in a stylish setting with great food. Locations in Sea Girt, Brick, Long Branch, Little Silver, Holmdel and Manalapan. The River Cafe, Brielle, a local’s favorite where you are more than likely to see someone you know. Toast City Diner is also a local’s favorite with locations in Asbury Park and Red Bank. Enjoy brunch on the water at Rooney’s Oceanfront in Long Branch, Salt Creek Grille in Rumson and Drifthouse by David Burke in Sea Bright.

Lunch

In the warmer weather the Porch at the Parker House in Sea Girt is delightful, as is the outside bar at Waypoint 622 in Brielle. In cooler weather, head to Rod’s or Harrigan’s in Sea Girt, St. Stephen’s in Spring Lake Heights or Harpoon Willy’s on the river in Manasquan for excellent pub food.  Half Moon Point in Point Pleasant has a delightful covered outside terrace.

If you are looking for a leisurely lunch with wonderful ocean views, we love the French bistro Avenue in Long Branch. Excellent food and wonderful wine list. raw bar. Deck overlooking the ocean.

After the Beach

Parker House Back Porch 1st Avenue, Sea Girt. Mini burgers ($1.50), shrimp and clams, 1 lb lobsters ($8), lots of cold beer and reggae music make this outdoor porch behind the Parker House a favorite of the locals. Tough to get a table after 3:30pm. (Seasonal) Martell’s Tiki Bar Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant. If you are looking for something a little more wild after the beach, this is the place. Right on the ocean, tons of people, 4 bars, live music and dancing. Frozen drinks, decent appetizers, very cold beer. (Seasonal) Waypoint 622 Green Ave, Brielle. Sit outside overlooking the Manasquan  River. Raw bar, outside grill. Good appetizers and drinks. Cold beer. Weekend entertainment. Outside the Box (Shrimp Box) Point Pleasant. On the river, great people. Fresh squeezed OJ. Good apps. Bar Anticipation, Lake Como. Great outdoor bars. Excellent apps, fresh squeezed juices. Live entertainment.

Pub

Harpoon Willy’s, Manasquan, on the river. Great view, a roaring fire in winter, music many nights and delicious food. Rod’s Olde Irish Tavern. Washington Blvd., Sea Girt. Cozy booths, lots of TV’s, great food, fun bartenders, well trained wait staff. Perfect place for lunch, after the beach or Sunday brunch. Everyone feels welcome here. Make their own croutons, salad dressings, chicken fingers (the buffalo are the best), roast their own turkeys and they offer the best prime rib anywhere but usually only on Friday nights. Best place for St. Patrick’s Day or any televised sporting event. Lots of fresh daily specials including fish. Decent wine list, the hottest beers, very good Sunday brunch, very reasonable prices.

Steak Sandwich

Harrigan’s Pub. Rt. 71 Sea Girt. Top sirloin comes out sizzling in its own garlic butter with fries. $14.95. Also HUGE shrimp, great chili and burgers. Favorite of the locals.

Steak

Lots of good steak at the Jersey Shore, but these are our favorites: Brandl, Belmar, Prime 13, Point Pleasant, Drifthouse by David Burke, Sea Bright

Lobster

Red’s Lobster Pot Channel Drive in Point Pleasant. No frills, BYOB spot on the water. All kinds of seafood, but people come for the lobster. Get there around sunset for a glorious display from Mother Nature. No reservations.

Raw Bar

Opened in 2020, Point Lobster Bar & Grill in Point Pleasant has a fantastic raw bar and delicious wines to wash down your favorite shellfish. Rooney’s Oceanfront in Long Branch has a great raw bar and ocean views.

Crabs

The Shore’s best crab shack is Bum Rogers in South Seaside Park. A bit south, but worth the trip. Spend the day at Island Beach State Park and then have some crab’s on your way home.

Pizza

I’ve enjoyed the pizza at Squan Tavern in Manasquan my whole life. It is still my go-to pizza place in the area. Pete & Elda’s. Rt. 35, Neptune. Super thin crust pizza that locals will drive miles to get. Eat an Extra Large by yourself and you get a t-shirt. DeLorenzo’s in Robbinsville. It is a 40 minute drive from the Shore, but if you are a pizza fanatic, this is like going to the Pizza Mecca. They will take a reservation, but you better be there on time. This is, however, the best pizza you will ever experience.

Cocktails

When you visit the Jersey Shore you want water views or fireplaces with your cocktails…oh and the cocktails should be good too! Waterfront restaurants, In no particular order. (*) denotes fireplace or also good for winter.

Jack Baker’s Wharfside – Point Pleasant
The Shrimp Box – Point Pleasant
Waypoint 622 – Brielle
Harpoon Willy’s – Manasquan (*)
La Terrazza – Belmar
The Columns – Avon
Robinson Ale House – Asbury Park (*)
Langosta Lounge – Asbury Park
Mister C’s – Allenhurst (*)
Rooney’s Oceanfront – Long Branch (*)
Avenue – Long Branch (*)
Drifthouse by David Burke – Sea Bright (*)
Salt Creek Grille – Rumson (*)

After Dinner Fun

The club scene is strong at Bar Anticipation, D’Jais, The Headliner and The Columns. More sedate entertainment is available at Harpoon Willy’s, Half Moon Point, Reef & Barrel, St Stephens Green and more.  Visit ShoreFoodie.com for entertainment schedules.