Bradley Beach
Bradley Beach, NJ
Bradley Beach sits between Ocean Grove and Avon-by-the-Sea, a straightforward family beach town without the historic quirks of one neighbor or the quiet exclusivity of the other. Ocean Avenue splits the parking here in two, metered on the east side facing the beach and free on the west side a block back.
A dependable, no frills family beach that does what it needs to, without much that sets it apart from Avon or Ocean Grove on either side.
How we score beachesPark on the west side of Ocean Avenue if you don't mind the extra block of walking. It's free, while the east side runs by the hour during the season.
Pay stations on the east side of Ocean Avenue charge by the hour from late May through mid September, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. West side street parking is free.
A boardwalk runs along the beachfront with flat access points down to the sand at multiple cross streets.
Dogs aren't permitted on the beach from mid May through September. From October through mid May, leashed dogs on a six foot leash maximum are allowed, and owners are responsible for cleanup.
Water warms into the low to mid 70s by August, typical for this stretch of the central shore. The off season leash rules make fall and spring the better bet for a beach walk with a dog.
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