Where To Find The Best Coastal Getaways In New Jersey

Let’s be honest: sometimes you dream of running away, but your bank account just wants you to go to New Jersey. The good news? New Jersey’s shoreline can actually surprise you, even if you’re a seasoned skeptic about all things beachy and East Coast.

Whether you crave some soul-soothing nostalgia, a little vintage weirdness, or the kind of small moments that somehow add up to a real escape, this state manages to deliver.

Here are ten coastal getaways, each with its own flavor of salt, sand, and serotonin (that might just be exactly what you need this year).

1. Cape May

Picture this: you arrive in Cape May and immediately feel like you’ve walked onto a movie set where everyone gets a second chance. The Victorian houses don’t just look charming, they practically dare you to believe in romance again. Even the air feels a bit more hopeful, as if it’s been filtered through lavender sachets and old love letters.

You wander the historic district and suddenly care intensely about porch details. Is that anxiety melting away? You spot the 1859 lighthouse, which has seen more drama than your family group chat. Climb to the top and you’ll earn legs of steel (and the kind of view that makes your phone’s storage weep).

Later, you watch dolphins playfully photobomb the sunset. Cape May isn’t trying to impress you; it just knows its worth. If you’re lucky, you’ll leave with sand in your shoes and a little less cynicism than you came with.

2. Asbury Park

Ever want to be the main character in a coming-of-age indie film? Welcome to Asbury Park. The boardwalk pulses with energy from tattooed artists, rollerblading teens, and the kind of live music that makes you wish you played guitar in high school.

You pop into an art gallery, then lose an hour browsing old vinyl at a record shop. Grab a coffee, sit on the sand, and people-watch like it’s your job (no performance review required). The Stone Pony, founded in 1974, is still here – Springsteen is not, but everyone acts like he might be.

Asbury Park challenges you to be a little bolder. Wear those weird sunglasses. Get the neon ice cream. When the sun sets, the boardwalk glows like a movie scene you secretly hope never ends.

3. Long Beach Island (LBI)

Long Beach Island is where your inner child and your practical adult self finally call a truce. The 18-mile stretch never feels crowded, even in peak season. Whether you’re chasing ice cream trucks or your own kids, LBI has a way of slowing time to a crawl, not a bad thing for once.

You find yourself on a rented bike, wind in your hair, debating which mini-golf course is superior. The Barnegat Lighthouse stands guard at the northern tip, an 1859 classic that has seen more shipwrecks than your digital dating life.

Sunsets at Bay Village hit different, think pink skies reflecting off saltwater taffy wrappers. You leave with sandy shoes, family stories, and at least one questionable sunburn. LBI wants you to notice the little stuff and maybe, just maybe, let yourself relax.

4. Ocean City

If you ever wanted to time travel to your best childhood summer, Ocean City is waiting. This place calls itself America’s Greatest Family Resort and, honestly, it’s not wrong. The 2.5-mile boardwalk offers every flavor of nostalgia: saltwater taffy, sticky fingers, and the distant yells from roller coasters.

You laugh too loudly at the water park, then march defiantly into an arcade like you own the place. Evenings bring the scent of caramel popcorn and the gentle chaos of mini-golf. Ocean City is a dry town, meaning no alcohol is sold within its limits, which gives the place a more family-oriented atmosphere.

You tuck yourself into the sand, sun-drunk and giggling, feeling oddly innocent for someone with adult responsibilities. Here, you’re allowed to be wholesome without irony. Not a bad plot twist, right?

5. Stone Harbor

Stone Harbor is what you’d get if a lifestyle magazine editor built a beach town. Everything feels curated, from the boutiques to the seafood menus. The shops along 96th Street tempt you to believe you could, in fact, pull off a floppy sunhat.

Seven Mile Beach is long enough to lose your worries (or your kids, briefly, but they always turn up). The Atlantic’s rhythm sets the pace. You sip a latte outside, eavesdrop on retirees debating shell types, and wonder if you’re living in a Nancy Meyers movie.

This is a place where quiet is a luxury. Stone Harbor doesn’t try to keep up with trends; it just sits back and enjoys being timeless. You might even start daydreaming about real estate, until you check the prices.

6. Avalon

Avalon is the early riser of New Jersey’s coast. Here, sunrise joggers and saltwater surfers share the sand before most people have even hit snooze. The town motto claims it’s ‘Cooler by a Mile’, geographically true, but also spiritually accurate.

You’ll find that Avalon refuses to rush. The seven-mile shoreline offers space for both quiet introspection and accidental people-watching. Local bakeries open at dawn, and the only drama is whether you get the last blueberry muffin.

This isn’t a scene for loud nightlife or carnival rides. Avalon is for those who crave subtle luxury: fresh bagels, calm water, and a clean towel. Sometimes the best reset is just a sunrise and a stretch of empty sand.

7. Spring Lake

Spring Lake whispers instead of shouts. The lake itself is bordered by a picture-perfect gazebo, swans floating by like they own the place. Around the corner, the boardwalk is quiet – no rides or games, just salt air and the occasional jogger.

The town dates back to the 1800s, and the mansions evoke Gatsby-without-the-drama energy. You wander under old sycamores and imagine sending hand-written postcards (that you’ll, realistically, never mail). Main Street’s bakeries smell like home, and the coffee shops remember your order by day two.

If you crave a beach day without crowds or chaos, Spring Lake spoils you. Here, peace isn’t just possible; it’s expected. Sometimes all you need is a little less noise to finally hear yourself think.

8. Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook is for those days when you want to disappear, without actually leaving civilization. The seven-mile peninsula juts into the Atlantic, fringed by grassy dunes and secret coves. It’s part of Gateway National Recreation Area, which means you might spot more birds than people by midweek.

The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, first lit in 1764, is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the United States. Cyclists zip by on the paved paths, aiming for Fort Hancock’s weathered history. Sometimes, you glimpse Manhattan’s skyline, a reminder that city chaos is just a ferry ride away.

This place lets you switch between wild and tame in minutes. Pack a picnic, bring a book, and remember, sometimes getting lost is the whole point. Oh, and wear sunscreen. The wind here is a liar.

9. Belmar

Belmar is for the friend who can’t sit still at the beach. You want energy? You get it: food trucks, boardwalk concerts, and volleyball games that escalate into Olympic-level drama. The waves are big enough to attract real surfers, but chill enough for total beginners.

You line up for tacos, swap sunscreen with strangers, and dance like nobody’s watching when the band plays. The town’s calendar is packed: seafood festivals, sandcastle contests, and impromptu sunset yoga. You never feel out of place, whether you’re here for the adrenaline or just the people-watching.

Belmar is never boring. You leave tired, sun-kissed, and smelling faintly of funnel cake. If you want a beach that matches your tempo, Belmar delivers every single time.

10. Sea Bright

Sea Bright feels like finding a secret note in someone else’s yearbook. The barrier island is narrow enough that both sunrise and sunset are worth catching – Atlantic on one side, Shrewsbury River on the other. Private beach clubs line the shore, but you can still snag a public spot if you plan ahead.

You sip a cocktail on a rooftop bar while the sun drops, watching boats drift on the river. The town’s restaurants strike a rare balance: fresh oysters, no snobbery. The rebuilt boardwalk feels shiny and new, but the ocean’s mood is anything but predictable.

Sea Bright vibes with those who want low-key elegance and a pinch of spontaneity. You may even spot dolphins if you’re lucky. Sometimes, the best getaways are the ones that don’t announce themselves; they just quietly win you over.