{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3052,"slug":"14th-street-beach-ocean-city","name":"14th Street Beach","country":"USA","state":"New Jersey","city":"Ocean City","coords":{"lat":39.2766,"lng":-74.5769},"beachType":null,"tags":["family"],"article":{"hero":"Fourteenth Street Beach sits squarely in Ocean City's family boardwalk district, where the tempo is set by stroller wheels and the scent of Mack & Manco pizza drifting over the dunes. The sand here is pale tan, firm enough for morning runs, and dotted with striped umbrellas that bloom each June like a seasonal crop. Lifeguards in red trunks whistle from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., watching over a gentle shore break that draws waders and inexperienced swimmers in equal measure.\n\nYou'll claim your square of beach early on weekends—blankets tessellate by nine—but midweek mornings in shoulder season offer elbow room and the rhythmic scrape of metal detectors. The ocean runs cool even in August, a bracing 68 degrees that sends kids shrieking back to their towels. Behind you, the boardwalk hums: Kohr Bros. soft-serve stands, Skee-Ball arcades with sticky levers, and the Ferris wheel that lights up after dusk.\n\nWhat sets this beach apart from Ocean City's other numbered stretches is proximity to Johnson's Popcorn at 11th Street and Music Pier just south—close enough to grab caramel corn between swims, far enough from the inlet to avoid strong currents. It's a dry town, so hydration comes in the form of lemonade and Italian ice, and the vibe stays resolutely G-rated, even when college-age lifeguards congregate at shift change.","teaser":"Lifeguard stands painted in primary colors anchor this stretch where the air smells of cocoa butter and salt. You'll hear the rumble of wooden boards underfoot as joggers pass at dawn, the crack of skee-ball from nearby arcades by noon, and the shouts of boogie-boarders catching ankle-slappers all afternoon.","uniqueAngle":"One of the rare Jersey Shore beaches where you can smell boardwalk popcorn from your blanket and still enjoy a guarded, swimmable shore break.","accessType":"Walk from boardwalk","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Wade the Shorebreak","subtitle":"Gentle waves ideal for beginners"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Stake Morning Territory","subtitle":"Firm sand perfect for umbrellas"},{"icon":"food","title":"Boardwalk Snack Run","subtitle":"Johnson's caramel corn three blocks north"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Capture Pier Silhouettes","subtitle":"Music Pier frames southern sunsets"}],"audience":{"surfer":"This isn't your break. The sandbar here produces mushy shore-pound best suited for soft-tops and groms learning to pop up. Summer swells rarely exceed waist-high, and the guarded zone runs too wide for serious sessions. If you're determined, head north to 6th Street at dawn before the flags go up, or drive twenty minutes south to Strathmere where sandbars shift and crowds thin. The only wax you'll need here is tropical, and even that feels optimistic given New Jersey's water temps.","couples":"Book a room at the Flanders Hotel eight blocks south—Art Deco bones, recently renovated, with balconies facing the water. Walk north to 14th Street for morning swims, then rinse off and claim two stools at Dot's Pastry Shop on 9th for custard-filled donuts. Sunset happens behind you, over the bay, so instead catch the golden hour glow on the Victorian homes along Wesley Avenue. Dinner means BYOB at Tuna Bar or OC Surf Café—this is a dry town, so pick up wine in Somers Point before you cross the bridge.","backpacker":"Beach tags run $10 daily, $25 weekly—buy at the stands, honor system mostly. Sleep cheap at Crossroads Motel on Route 52 in Somers Point, then bike the two-mile causeway over the bay each morning. Pack lunches from Wawa before the bridge; boardwalk slices cost $5 but add up fast. Free beach access before 10 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m., though you'll miss lifeguards. Fill water bottles at public fountains along the boards, and grab day-old donuts half-price at Brown's after 4 p.m.","local":"Hit the sand before 8 a.m. when the beach belongs to metal detector crews and power-walkers—no tags checked, no crowds, just sanderlings and the offshore breeze. The best body-surfing window comes mid-September when hurricane swells push through and the tourists have drained back across the causeway. Park free at 14th Street lot after 6 p.m., then walk south to the inlet jetty where striped bass feed at dusk. Bring a cooler for blues, a headlamp, and a respect for the jetty regulars who've fished that rock pile for decades.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"14th Street Beach is generally safe for families with children. Ocean City employs professional lifeguards from late June through Labor Day, typically 10am-5:30pm daily. The beach features gentle waves suitable for young swimmers, though conditions vary with weather and tides. Always swim near lifeguard stands and follow posted flag warnings. The beach has a gradual slope, making it easier for kids to wade. Ocean City is a dry town with family-focused policies, contributing to a safer overall environment compared to some Jersey Shore destinations.","q":"Is 14th Street Beach safe for swimming with children?"},{"a":"Summer months (June through August) offer warmest water temperatures and full amenities, though expect crowds on weekends. For fewer visitors, try June or September when weather remains pleasant but schools are in session. Early mornings and weekdays are less crowded even in peak season. Ocean City's beaches are accessible year-round for walking and off-season activities. Water temperatures peak in late July and August, reaching the upper 60s to low 70s Fahrenheit. Spring and fall offer cooler beach days ideal for boardwalk strolls and family activities.","q":"What is the best time to visit 14th Street Beach in Ocean City?"},{"a":"Street parking is available on 14th Street and surrounding blocks, with metered spots costing around $2-3 per hour during summer season. A municipal parking lot is located at 14th Street between West and Haven Avenues, offering daily rates typically $15-25 in peak season. Arrive early on summer weekends as spots fill quickly by mid-morning. Ocean City also offers free parking in designated areas after 5pm. Consider parking further from the beach on side streets for free options and walking the short distance to save money.","q":"Where can I park near 14th Street Beach and how much does it cost?"},{"a":"The Ocean City Boardwalk runs parallel to the beach, offering numerous dining options within a few blocks. Manco & Manco Pizza, Kohr Bros frozen custard, and Johnson's Popcorn are iconic boardwalk treats nearby. Asbury Avenue (one block from beach) features family restaurants, coffee shops, and casual eateries. The beach has public restrooms and outdoor showers. Convenience stores and beach equipment rentals are available along Asbury Avenue. Since Ocean City is a dry town, no alcohol is sold in restaurants. Several hotels and vacation rentals are within walking distance.","q":"What restaurants and amenities are near 14th Street Beach?"},{"a":"Yes, Ocean City requires beach tags from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day for anyone age 12 and older. Daily tags cost approximately $8, weekly tags around $15, and seasonal tags roughly $30-35 (prices subject to annual changes). Tags are checked by beach patrol staff throughout the day. Purchase tags at beach tag offices, the Ocean City Boardwalk Information Booth, or online in advance. Children under 12 enter free. Keep your tag visible while on the beach. Off-season beach access from September through May is free for everyone.","q":"Does 14th Street Beach require beach tags and how much do they cost?"}]},"seo":{"title":"14th Street Beach: Ocean City's Prime Family Shoreline","description":"Wide golden sands meet gentle surf at Ocean City's 14th Street Beach, where lifeguards watch over kids building castles and boardwalk treats are steps away.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3131/3094120318_6cca6b84da_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"528988","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3131/3094120318_6cca6b84da_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3131/3094120318_6cca6b84da.jpg","alt":"Another crappy day at the office... 14Th Street Tower"},{"id":"528996","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7366/13894846686_e9b5310bcf_c.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7366/13894846686_e9b5310bcf.jpg","alt":"California, Los Angeles County"},{"id":"528998","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5166/13894845666_b4bc9ce5c4_c.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5166/13894845666_b4bc9ce5c4.jpg","alt":"California, Los Angeles County"},{"id":"529000","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3807/13917957105_f88398533d_c.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3807/13917957105_f88398533d.jpg","alt":"California, Los Angeles County"},{"id":"529004","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5554/14986901752_04e761c1f4_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5554/14986901752_04e761c1f4.jpg","alt":"River Mersey and Liverpool Skyline"},{"id":"529006","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2175/2225251500_b4fd442afe_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2175/2225251500_b4fd442afe.jpg","alt":"NYC - Metropolitan Museum of Art: Winslow Homer's Eagle Head, Manchester, Massachusetts (High Tide)"},{"id":"529008","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2234/2242758957_643aec6936_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2234/2242758957_643aec6936.jpg","alt":"NYC - Metropolitan Musem of Art - Pablo Picasso's Nude Standing by the Sea"}]}}