I had the pleasure of spending a beautiful summer day in mid-August with my two daughters and four of my grandchildren at Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. We started out early in the morning since it is important to get a good parking space close to the beach. It is necessary to walk back to refill the parking meter a few times during the day but the entire day at the beach only cost $15 in parking fees.
Visitor Information
The entrance to the beach is located directly across from the Dunes Motel at 1601 Ocean Avenue. For those who plan to stay overnight, the Dunes appeared to be a good choice with regard to location and cleanliness. The phone number at the Dunes Motel is (732) 903-7777.
There is a minimal charge per person to access the beach. Each visitor is then given a plaid piece of cloth to pin to one’s bathing suit to enable you to come and go throughout the day without additional cost. Lifeguards are on duty each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Point Pleasant Beach is one of the cleanest beaches I have ever visited and has bathroom facilities close by. Visitors are not allowed to change clothes in the facilities, so be sure to arrive already dressed for the beach.
The Boardwalk
The mile-long boardwalk at the beach is a fascinating place. We were able to buy lunch at a hamburger stand and bring our food down to the beach. Warning: The seagulls are swift. I was holding my half-eaten hamburger in my hand while sitting in a beach chair when a seagull swooped down on me from behind and grabbed my hamburger in his beak and flew away to share it with his fellow seagulls.
The Boardwalk has several boutiques, arcades, fast-food restaurants, an ice cream parlor, an aquarium, and souvenir and gift shops which we visited in our stroll along the boardwalk. Our boys, ages 9 and 7, had a wonderful time in the arcade trying to win prizes. They each came away with two stuffed animals for their efforts. Our two teenaged girls spent a lot of time in the souvenir and gift shops. The Boardwalk has something for everyone.
Summer Sights
The surf was rough that day. The boys had fun jumping in the water, running from the roaring waves and generally wearing themselves out. The photographs we took show them buried in the sand up to their shoulders. It was pleasant watching the kayaks going by as well as the single-engined planes above pulling along flags which advertised upcoming events.
The Jersey Shore is one of America’s most beautiful vacation spots. We plan to visit again next year, perhaps staying for a week. Check your Mapquest for directions to get to any one of the 36 shore towns that dot the Jersey shore.
Source:
Personal experience
http://www.pointpleasantbeach.com