Beach Towns Along South Jersey Shore

Every summer, the population of south Jersey explodes from a few thousand year-round residents to thousands of summer vacationers. The main draw of these towns goes beyond clean beaches and salt air. Great food, unique shops, and fun activities welcome summer visitors.


Ocean City, New Jersey

About twenty-minutes south of Atlantic City, Ocean City is an active beach town with an even mix of attractions, scenery, and down-to-earth people. With eight miles of beaches and bay, water is almost always within sight. The streets form a grid so it’s easy to navigate by bike. Boutiques and local restaurants spread throughout the town keep the streets friendly and walk-able.

In addition to boating, fishing, surf kayaking, and jet skiing, Ocean City has plenty of places to go on land. The 2.5 miles of boardwalk is home to book stores, clothing shops, arcades, game stands, food vendors, two amusement parks and a water park. A large Ferris wheel lights up at night to give riders a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean beneath the stars, a hard view to beat.

Ocean City has a number of bed & breakfast inns and affordable hotels within a block or two of the ocean. Brown’s, located at the end of the boardwalk, is a year-round inn with a diner attached to the boardwalk. They make melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts daily that may not qualify as healthy, but they will fuel an active day. Note that Ocean City is a dry town so stop by the liquor store if vacation plans include a glass of wine or beer.

Sea Isle City, New Jersey

Situated on an island twenty minutes south of Ocean City, Sea Isle City is a small beach town dedicated to preserving not only the beaches, but its history and grand architecture. The town was once a hub for two major railroad systems, the West Jersey & Seashore and the South Jersey Shore railroad. Since its founding in 1882, this small town has been a resort destination. Though a number of historic buildings are gone, replaced by large vacation rentals and beach homes, a few architectural gems still stand and the narrow streets from the horse & buggy days make for a scenic stroll.



Busch’s Seafood Restaurant originated in 1882 as a hotel, and established the restaurant in 1912. Voted one of the top ten places to get Seafood on the Jersey shore, the restaurant offers an extensive seafood menu with a warm, cozy ambiance.

Cape May

Homes and shopping centers from the Edwardian and Victorian era make Cape May one of south Jersey’s most unique towns. Located on the southern tip of New Jersey, Cape May is known for its fine dining, boutique shops, and classic Bed & Breakfasts. Many inns offer views of the sea or fall within easy walking distance of the beach.

Bras — Different Styles for Different Activities
Revealing Fashions: Underwear as Outerwear

Cape May is a year-round destination that is far more affordable after Labor Day and before Memorial Day. Once the summer arrives, the beaches fill with sun bathers. Families often have to wait in line at the ice cream shops, but this peaceful town always has a friendly vibe. For an inexpensive meal, Cabanas Beach Bar and Grill serves casual American cuisine and presents live music.



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South Jersey’s shore towns each have a personality of their own, and many are within a short drive of one another. Take the time to find the right destination, then get the toes wet and relax.


Author Sunil S.


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