Seaside Heights Beach
Seaside Heights, NJ
Seaside Heights Beach sits behind one of the most recognizable boardwalks on the Jersey Shore, home to Casino Pier's rides and the kind of arcade and food stand strip that made this town famous well beyond New Jersey. Badges are required during posted hours, longer on weekends and holidays than on weekdays.
The boardwalk delivers a real scene that a lot of shore towns can't match, but the crowds and strict no pets policy push plenty of locals toward the quieter beaches just south.
How we score beachesWeekday mornings before the 9 a.m. badge check are effectively a free window if you're just walking the sand rather than settling in for the day.
Metered spots line the streets near the boardwalk, and Purple Heart recipients can park free in any metered space for up to 24 hours.
The boardwalk is flat and paved along its full length, with ramps down to the beach at multiple points.
Pets aren't permitted on the beach, and only certified service animals are allowed on the boardwalk or beach at any time.
Water warms into the low to mid 70s by August, peak season for the boardwalk's rides and crowds alike. The energy drops off fast once badges stop being checked in mid September.
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