Ocean City, NJ for July 4

[poadeleted3]

Weather permitting, of course, I'm taking Cathy and Sean to Ocean City, NJ (26N) for July 4th. Plan to arrive around 9 am and walk to the beach (not the boardwalk). We measured when we drove over for Mother's Day, and it's less 1/2 mile to the beach. We'll play in the sand and surf for a couple hours (all the sun our skin can handle) and depart around noonish. Anyone wanna come play with us?

 

[Len Lanetti]

Joe,

Note that during the season you'll need beach tags to be on the beach at Ocean City NJ.

I think the way it works is you can buy them from the "patrol" that walks the beach checking tags. I don't know if they levy a fine or charge a premium if you purchase the tags on the beach. You may want to call the FBO to see if they have the 411 or check the town's website.

Also, double check restrictions on beach activities (freesbie, ball throwing, kite flying, etc). IIRC, the restrictions are extensive and may including "picnic'ng".

Len

 

[Anthony]

Joe. Another alternative would be Cape May via WWD. The beaches are free, but you have to get a taxi there and back. I don't know what the O.C. beach passes cost per person, but the taxi may be less than buying beach passes for everyone. I think round trip in a taxi as around $30 last time we were there. But what do I know about beaches, I live in Denver.

 

[Len Lanetti]

Ocean City MD is, of course, another option. Taxi cab drops you off at the beach/boardwalk. The taxi ride used to be cheap but I've heard they've gone up in price. AFAIK, no requirement to have beach tags. The MD beach is a lot wider than the NJ beach and fewer rules regarding beach activities. One (possibly) plus for Ocean City NJ is that the crowd at Ocean City NJ is more of a family crowd than Ocean City MD, lots of teens and early 20-somethings at the MD beach (again, this depends on what a person wants in "atmosphere").

Another thing is you can get hardshell crabs, softshell crabs or crabcakes very easily in Ocean City MD at many restaurants right along the beach/boardwalk. You can get them to eat in or to go back home. With any luck, a dozen freshly cooked hardshell crabs will still be warm when you get back home and can enjoy them with a bottle of beer.

Len

 

[Anthony]

Another thing is you can get hardshell crabs, softshell crabs or crabcakes very easily in Ocean City MD at many restaurants right along the beach/boardwalk. You can get them to eat in or to go back home. With any luck, a dozen freshly cooked hardshell crabs will still be warm when you get back home and can enjoy them with a bottle of beer.

Len

Crabs, crabs, crabs, crabs.

 

[Len Lanetti]

Crabs, crabs, crabs, crabs.

Anthony,

Sorry, but there is no way I can get fresh cooked Maryland hardshell crabs to you warm, not even in the Mooney.

:<)

Len

 

[Ghery]

Pay to walk the beach? Not in my world, thanks.

 

[poadeleted3]

Pay to walk the beach? Not in my world, thanks.

In return, you get a very clean, family friendly beach that is a fifteen minute walk from the airport. The northeast is a crowded place, I don't mind paying for a nice place to play

 

[poadeleted3]

Joe,

Note that during the season you'll need beach tags to be on the beach at Ocean City NJ.

I think the way it works is you can buy them from the "patrol" that walks the beach checking tags. I don't know if they levy a fine or charge a premium if you purchase the tags on the beach. You may want to call the FBO to see if they have the 411 or check the town's website.

Also, double check restrictions on beach activities (freesbie, ball throwing, kite flying, etc). IIRC, the restrictions are extensive and may including "picnic'ng".

Len

Beach tags are only $5 for each person over 12 y/o whether you buy them on the beach or not. The nice lady on the phone told me we didn't have to look for a place to buy a pass, we'd be approached. Guess they want their money I don't think the restrictions are overly onerous, instead they preserve it as a nice family beach. Ocean City, MD is better for those that prefer a more rowdy beach. Personal preference there, I suppose. We usually just build sand castles, collect sea shells, and play in the water anyway. We won't picnic on the beach, for two reasons. One, I don't want to carry all that stuff from the plane, and two, the diner at the airport is reputed to be yummy. In fact, I think I'll call and extend our plane reservation for an extra hour so we can eat. One other thing to be aware of is that 26N does charge a $10 parking fee. A little steep but, like the beach pass, it's a price I'm willing to pay to have such easy, no taxi, no rental car access to a very nice beach.