Good beach to take my little girl shell picking & castle building?

[Candi]

We're pretty excited to be leaving near the beach/ocean for the first time in our lives (moved to NJ in Dec)... my 3 yr old keeps asking when it's warm enough to go build sand castles, yesterday was nice so we went to Sandy Hook and she had a grand time.

I was wondering if there were any other decent places closer to Port Monmouth (not that Sandy Hook is far, but you know what I mean) where we could go for her to collect shells and play in the sand?

Please share any of your favorite places, since we're new to the area we're clueless

Thanks

 

[Phyl]

Point Pleasant is a great place to take the kids. One of my favorite beaches.

In the summer they charge for the beach so you may want to go to one of the other beaches that don't charge then.

 

[eholceker]

Pt PLeasent has a nice boardwalk. Avon has the nicest beach.

 

[Subliminal]

I would say Sandy Hook.

It's not a very nice beach for lying down in the summertime, or enjoying the water, but when I stopped there last winter (round this time, actually) to take my dog for a walk, I noticed that it sure is full of shells. And it has a cool distant view of NYC.

 

[Whitebird1]

At the north end of belmar, the beach that borders the inlet is a free beach, not recommended for swimming but towards the high tide mark are shell/gravel beds that you can collect shark teeth, especially after a storm.
Greg

 

[Noonan]

Pt PLeasent has a nice boardwalk. Avon has the nicest beach.

Avon has a beautiful beach. Theres a cove area towards the end where I used to catch seahorses, gobies, and some kind of angels.

 

[jerseydiablo]

Bradley Beach ;D

Point Pleasant's probably most fun for kids

definately check out the sand castle building contest in Belmar (date is TBA)
http://www.belmar.com/Default.asp?Section_ID=500

lots of fun for kids & adults, some really cool castles are built every year


Sandy Hook is good, 1 thing though, on VERY hot days for some reason the beaches there attract a ton of annoying horseflies

you've also got Keansburg right near you, not really the beach but they've got games and rides for kids there too
haven't been there in years but I don't believe it's as nice or safe as it used to be

 

[Noonan]

About 3 years ago a dead whale washed up on Belmar/Avons beach. It was awesome.

 

[Edwardw771]

About 10 years ago a dead body washed up on Bradley Beach.

 

[mikem]

To answer you're question Candi. The closest beach to P.M. Is Ideal beach in Middletown. If you remember where Donna lives, It's right across the street, or another one a block from my house.

 

[Candi]

Thanks everyone... I'll look into all that you mentioned (and be sure to keep an eye out for any washed up whales, or bodies :-X ) LOL

Mike, thanks... that's what I was looking for, something close

 

[mott768]

Candi,
If your ever up to taking a ride Wildwood Is by far the best for kids, it's one of the few clean beaches and boardwalks left in NJ, to far for most Benny's and NY'rs....LOL, I live 5 Min's From Seaside Heights in the Winter and it takes 45min to get there in the Summer you sit in a sea of NY license plates, we hardly go there anymore, We rather go to Wildwood, plus there is a lot more to do in Wildwood, plus some realy great place to eat...

 

[bone]

I agree with Mott wildwood for the kids.

 

[malulu]

so, Candi, where do you end up...? I am thinking to take the kids to a beach this week.

just checking the web, it seems i missed the "Sandcastle Contest at Belmar on July 15th - today!" http://www.njsandcastle.com/

i am near 78 & 287.
thx

 

[DanJ]

A nice clean drug free and alchol free christian town is Ocean Grove. It is clean and beautiful! ;D

 

[malulu]

we went to Pt. Pleasant yesterday...
it cost $6.50 per person to use the beach, no too bad...
weather was a bit cold, with the boardwalk and the stores, and the kid amusement park/rides... we have a good time.
thx