The Jersey Shore’s Top Destinations this Summer

New Jersey Monthly Magazine is out with its five great Jersey Shore destinations this summer. The June issue, released Wednesday, highlights the diversity of communities up and down the coast. 

The issue looks at the top seafood festivals, seaside contests, and film festivals at the Shore this summer, the top surfing schools for beginners, the top breakfast spots and focuses on new things popping up in Atlantic City despite the closure of four casino hotels,  special events in Bradley Beach, new tonier attractions on Long Beach Island, and the burgeoning restaurant scene and downtown shopping offered in Point Pleasant Beach.

This is third season following Super Storm Sandy and Ken Schlager, New Jersey Monthly Magazine Editor, pointed out they contacted real estate agents about the rental market.

"The rental market has fully come back. Everybody is happy and they're expecting a really good summer," said Schlager. "So, people keep coming back and people have a tremendous sense of loyalty about the shore, people in New Jersey and the nearby states. They have a tremendous sense of nostalgia that keeps pulling them back to the shore,or if they haven't been there, they have a tremendous sense of curiosity about it," he added.

The diversity of shore communities up and down the Jersey Coast also makes it attractive. Schlager noted beach towns years ago competing for visitors tried to build unique types of attractions and that level of uniqueness seems to have leveled off. He said it can be something simple as from homeowners and renters looking for quiet to boardwalk towns or the gambling and world class entertainment Atlantic City has to offer.

Bradley Beach doesn't have a boardwalk, but Schlager said the magazine chose to highlight as a top destination for its yearly Lobster Festival, held the last weekend in June.

"And when that happens, this little town of 4,000 people become a big town of 30,000 people."

Active visitors of the Jersey Shore who wake up hungry have at least a dozen fun places to choose from for breakfast, including places on the boardwalk, such as Pop's Garage in Asbury Park and Brown's Family Restaurant in Ocean City, according to Schlager.

"The most unusual one we have, in Wildwood, you can actually have what they call breakfast in the sky at Mariner's Pier. You can have breakfast at the top of one of the Ferris Wheels," Schlager said, also joking, if your stomach can handle it.

Other fun restaurants named by New Jersey Monthly Magazine include Ray's Cafe in Spring Lake and Sea Girt and Bird Biscuit in Bradley Beach, specializing in of course biscuits.

Some of the fun activities you'll find at the Jersey Shore include surfing. If you're a beginner, you'll have plenty of options along the coast, according to Schlager. The magazine identifies surf schools in Long Branch, Bay Head, Long Beach Island, Ocean City, Brigantine, and Spring Lake to name a few.

"Most of these places will equip you for your lesson, provide you with a board, with a wetsuit or just a wetsuit top," he said.

Schlager also noted with beach replenishment projects up and down the coast changing the shape of the waves, it might be a good idea to paddle out with an instructor who will know the best beaches for beginner surfers.