Allenhurst Beach
Allenhurst, NJ

Allenhurst is a small, mostly residential borough between Asbury Park and Loch Arbour, and its beach carries the same understated feel: no boardwalk, no real commercial center, just a guarded stretch of sand behind the dunes. Gates at Cedar and Allen Avenues handle badge checks for what's otherwise a low key, resident heavy beach day.
A genuinely quiet, resident feeling beach with an easy going off season dog policy, though the two hour parking limit makes it a poor fit for a full day trip.
How we score beachesStreet parking is free but limited to two hours in spots, so this works better as a shorter beach visit than an all day plan unless you're willing to move your car.
There's no dedicated beach lot, just free street parking nearby, some of it limited to two hour stays.
A flat, short walk from street parking leads to the gated beach entrance, with no boardwalk or stairs involved.
Dogs may run unleashed on the beachfront, with an owner present, from October through April. Dogs aren't allowed on the boardwalk area at any time.
Water warms into the low to mid 70s by August, consistent with the rest of this stretch of Monmouth County coast. The off season, when the leash rules relax, tends to bring some of the emptiest sand on this part of the shore.
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