11/09/2025
“It’s hard to beat our beaches,” says Clinch. “I’d put them up against any in the country.” The combination of boardwalk patio bars and dining venues, lifeguarded waves, and wide swaths of sand make the mile-long Asbury Park Beach one of the most popular on the Shore during the summer. Arrive early to stake out a spot and remember you need to buy a beach badge (from $7 to $10) between Memorial and Labor Day. Home to the country’s oldest saltwater fishing club, Asbury is a mecca for anglers. “I caught a 500 pound tuna off the beach here,” says Clinch. Throughout summer, the area between the jetties on Deal Lake Drive and Eighth Avenue is designated for surfing. Sign up for a lesson with Summertime Surf. “Fall is best for great waves,” says Scott Szegeski, a local artist and surfer. “The crowds thin and the entire beach is open for surfing.”
