by the sea
11:11 AM
The Jersey Shore totally has my heart.
And no, I am not talking about the Jersey Shore that you may know from cheesy reality TV or from all of the stereotypes about the state being one giant smelly turnpike. Usually the people who have never been there or have been to one section after taking a cab from Newark Airport subscribe to these opinions. If you have been to real New Jersey, it's hard not to fall in love. However - I may be biased.
I grew up right along the shore in Monmouth County, spending my youth bopping around the beaches of Sea Bright, the boardwalks of Pt. Pleasant, Asbury Park and Seaside Heights, exploring the beautiful coastal towns of Brielle, Ocean Grove, Red Bank, Monmouth Beach, Avon by the Sea and Beach Haven, (on LBI) which is where my family has had a home for the past 15 years.
When I hit my wannabe-cool pre-teen/teen years, the last thing I wanted to do was be around the wet sand and get my all black Urban Outfitters outfit, way too straightened hair and MAC eyeliner all messed up. But - I always made weekly car rides thru nearby beach towns with friends after school with the windows down and our favorite mix tapes blasting. Pushing away where you're from, even when it's a great place, is natural for figuring out what you want in life and learning from other environments. (side note: I still can't really relax on the sand for too long. Undiagnosed ADD, probs.)
Now that I'm 25, happily living nearby in Brooklyn and running my shop here, I find this urge to return back to my roots often. Now that my family moved from Monmouth County down to quiet & charming Beach Haven permanently, I have this new found love for the island and everything it represents, especially as a great alternative to city life when you just need to get away. After Hurricane Sandy, a lot of the shore was forced to rebuild and re-think many of their businesses. With the loss that came with Sandy, the silver lining seems to be that there has been a bit of a re-zshush that was (in some cases) much needed.
So, this summer if you find yourself needing a little retreat not too far away from the city, why not head to Long Beach Island? Rent a car, take the bus from the city to the island (so easy and quick!) or take the train. Just go visit! Your city-frazzled nerves will thank you.
Here is my guide to Beach Haven, my little home away from home:
Shopping:
7 South Bay Ave
414 Bay Ave
1102 N. Bay Ave
515 N Bay Ave
(off island) 227 East Bay Ave
1 South Bay Ave
830 N. Bay Ave
Eat/Drink:
212 Centre St
9305 Long Beach Island Blvd
100 N. Pennsylvania Ave
229 Pearl Street
101 N. Bay Ave
Etc.
Fantasy Island Amusement Park
320 7th Street
The Surflight Theatre
201 Engleside Ave.
The Boardwalk Bike & Surf Rentals
2306 S. Bay Ave
Miss Beach Haven Boats
at Center St. & the Bay
Devotion Yoga
412 N. Bay Ave
The Beach (duh)
Atlantic Ocean
Barnegat Light House
Ps: Something exciting is in the works involving A Lovely Universe by the sea in 2015. Stay tuned.
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