Seaside Park Beach
Seaside Park, NJ
Seaside Park sits just south of its livelier neighbor Seaside Heights, a quieter stretch of the same barrier island with its own badge system and a beach that runs down toward the edge of Island Beach State Park. Leashed dogs are actually allowed on the section south of the main swimming beaches even during summer, an exception most nearby towns don't bother with.
The dog friendly southern stretch and the quieter, less developed feel near Island Beach State Park set it apart, though the main guarded beach itself isn't much different from its busier neighbor.
How we score beachesIf you want a dog friendly summer beach day without driving all the way to the off season, head for the southern end of town rather than the main guarded swimming area.
Metered spots run along Ocean Avenue, with daily permits around ten dollars or a seasonal permit for closer to $275 if you're staying a while.
Flat streets lead to the sand at regular intervals, with no boardwalk or stairs to navigate.
Dogs aren't permitted on the main ocean swimming beaches from Memorial Day through the start of October, but leashed dogs are allowed on the beach south of those swimming areas year round.
Water warms into the low to mid 70s by August, and the proximity to Island Beach State Park means less development and more open dune line than towns further north.
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