{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3048,"slug":"9th-street-beach-ocean-city","name":"9th Street Beach","country":"USA","state":"New Jersey","city":"Ocean City","coords":{"lat":39.2834,"lng":-74.5697},"beachType":null,"tags":["family"],"article":{"hero":"Ninth Street Beach sits at the quieter end of Ocean City's two-and-a-half-mile shoreline, where the energy softens from the midtown buzz a few blocks south. You'll find wide, groomed sand that holds your chair legs steady and shallow water that stays calm enough for toddlers to splash under your watchful eye. The beach tags—required all summer—fund lifeguards who blow their whistles at 10 a.m. sharp and keep watch until early evening, scanning the mild Atlantic swells that rarely surprise anyone.\n\nThe boardwalk starts five blocks south, which means you trade carnival games and funnel cake for residential quiet and easier parking along the lettered streets. Families return to the same rental cottages year after year, their beach carts leaving tracks in the morning sand like clockwork. You'll spot grandparents reading paperbacks in low-slung chairs, kids building moats that fill with tidal seep, and teens tossing footballs in the hard-packed zone near the water.\n\nBy late afternoon, the lifeguards rotate their stands and the sun slants lower, painting the dunes in amber. You pack up before the 5 p.m. whistle, shaking sand from towels, and walk back past shingled houses where outdoor showers drip onto wooden slats. It's a beach that doesn't ask much of you—just show up, claim your square of sand, and let the day unspool at its own steady pace.","teaser":"You step off Ninth Street onto sand still cool in the morning shade, towels already claiming spots near the lifeguard stand. The aroma of zinc oxide mingles with salt air as families stake out their territory for the day, coolers packed, umbrellas tilted just so.","uniqueAngle":"It delivers all the amenities of a lifeguarded Jersey Shore beach without the midtown crowds, beloved by multigenerational families who return to the same rental cottages summer after summer.","accessType":"Drive-up, street parking","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Guarded Swimming","subtitle":"Calm waves, shallow sandy bottom"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Family Setup","subtitle":"Wide beach, easy chair placement"},{"icon":"food","title":"Boardwalk Detour","subtitle":"Five blocks south for snacks"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Dune Sunsets","subtitle":"Golden light on beach grass"}],"audience":{"surfer":"You'll find mostly closeout shore break here—not worth waxing up unless you're teaching a grom to catch whitewater. The sandbars shift with nor'easters, occasionally forming a rideable peak near the jetty at Eighth Street, but it's mushy even on clean southeast swells. Most experienced riders drive twenty minutes south to Strathmere or north to Longport for real shape. If you paddle out anyway, respect the swim zones; lifeguards will whistle you in fast, and the lineup's mostly bodyboarders and learners.","couples":"You'll want to arrive before the family rush, spreading your blanket near the dunes where beach grass rustles and the crowds thin. Walk north at low tide, where the sand firms and the shoreline curves toward Peck Bay, gulls wheeling overhead. For dinner, reserve a table at Ove Restaurant on Asbury Avenue—duck and craft cocktails in a converted beach house—or share wood-fired pizza at Pop's Garage a few blocks inland. The closest lodging skews toward weekly cottage rentals, though the Flanders Hotel downtown offers Art Deco charm and rooftop sunset views.","backpacker":"Beach tags run around eight dollars daily in summer—buy a weekly pass for thirty if you're lingering, or come after 5 p.m. when guards leave and entry's free. The closest budget bed is a twenty-minute bike ride to a hostel in Somers Point, though tent camping's allowed at Corson's Inlet State Park, four miles south. Hit Brown's Nostalgia for subs under nine dollars on West Avenue, or grab empanadas from the food truck parked near Sixth Street on weekends. The boardwalk bus costs two dollars and loops the island if you skip the car.","local":"You already know to come midweek in June or September when the sand's yours and parking's a breeze, but try the hour after lifeguards leave—families scatter, and you can body-surf the evening glass-off without whistles. The dune crossover at Tenth Street has the least foot traffic and the best sight lines for dolphin pods cruising north toward Corson's Inlet. If you're crabbing, drop traps off the bay side of Ninth Street after dark when the tide floods; chicken necks work better than any bait the tackle shops push.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"9th Street Beach is generally considered one of Ocean City's family-friendly beaches with lifeguards on duty during summer months, typically from late June through Labor Day. The beach features gentle waves suitable for children, though conditions vary with weather and tides. Always swim near a lifeguard stand and check daily beach conditions posted at entrances. Ocean City is a designated dry town with strict family-oriented policies, contributing to a safe atmosphere. Arrive early during peak season as beaches can become crowded by mid-morning.","q":"Is 9th Street Beach safe for swimming with children?"},{"a":"The prime beach season runs from late June through early September when temperatures reach 75-85°F and lifeguards are present. July and August offer warmest ocean temperatures around 70°F but expect larger crowds and higher accommodation rates. June and September provide pleasant weather with fewer visitors and lower prices. The beach remains accessible year-round for walks and off-season activities. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends throughout summer. Morning visits before 10 AM offer easier parking and less congestion, especially during July and August.","q":"What is the best time to visit 9th Street Beach in Ocean City?"},{"a":"Metered street parking is available on 9th Street and surrounding blocks, with rates typically ranging from $2-3 per hour during summer season. The municipal parking lot at 9th Street and Bay Avenue offers all-day parking, usually $15-25 depending on season and day. Meters generally operate from 10 AM to 10 PM during peak season. Arrive before 9 AM for best availability on summer weekends. Many visitors bike from nearby accommodations as Ocean City is very bike-friendly. Free parking becomes available after Labor Day in most areas.","q":"Where can I park near 9th Street Beach and how much does it cost?"},{"a":"The Ocean City Boardwalk runs parallel to the beach and is just blocks away, offering numerous dining options, ice cream shops, and casual eateries. The 9th Street shopping district features cafes, pizza shops, and family restaurants within easy walking distance. Beach amenities typically include restrooms and outdoor showers at nearby beach access points. Numerous hotels, motels, and vacation rentals line the streets between the beach and bay. Bike rental shops and beach equipment vendors operate throughout the area during summer months. No alcohol is sold anywhere in Ocean City as it's a dry town.","q":"What restaurants and amenities are near 9th Street Beach?"},{"a":"9th Street Beach sits at a convenient midpoint between the downtown shopping district and the iconic Ocean City Boardwalk, making it highly accessible for families staying in central locations. The beach's proximity to the 9th Street business district means easy access to shops, restaurants, and services without the intense crowds of beaches closer to the main boardwalk attractions. Many consider this stretch ideal for families wanting a beach experience with quick access to amenities but slightly removed from the busiest tourist areas around 6th-8th Streets.","q":"Why is 9th Street specifically popular among Ocean City beaches?"}]},"seo":{"title":"9th Street Beach: Ocean City's Family Haven in New Jersey","description":"Soft sand meets vintage boardwalk charm at Ocean City's 9th Street Beach, where cotton candy-scented breezes and gentle surf create perfect family memories along New Jersey's coast.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5569/15118450831_4208dd45c6.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"528877","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5569/15118450831_4208dd45c6.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5569/15118450831_4208dd45c6.jpg","alt":"MagCloud_iModelnet_Bookstore_2014 Heidi Fahrenbach (14 page 11x17 Tabloid) \"Color Your World\" Calendar_( http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/668159 )_StudioGmedia_SethGarcia."},{"id":"528879","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8107/8525944075_53bdeff7a4_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8107/8525944075_53bdeff7a4.jpg","alt":"618 Ninth St. (1918), Huntington Beach"},{"id":"528880","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8242/8525963177_bf7eeaf0da_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8242/8525963177_bf7eeaf0da.jpg","alt":"406 Ninth St. (1905), Huntington Beach"},{"id":"528881","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8528/8527061218_be00a9262a_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8528/8527061218_be00a9262a.jpg","alt":"The McIntosh House (1906), 524 Ninth St., Huntington Beach"},{"id":"528882","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8511/8527089396_60a81b541d_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8511/8527089396_60a81b541d.jpg","alt":"215 Ninth St. (1905), Huntington Beach"},{"id":"528883","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8102/8525960927_9ec5cc15db_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8102/8525960927_9ec5cc15db.jpg","alt":"411 Ninth St. (1916), Huntington Beach"},{"id":"528884","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8385/8525985705_496b8180b6_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8385/8525985705_496b8180b6.jpg","alt":"314 Ninth St. (circa 1905), Huntington Beach"},{"id":"528885","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8523/8525979223_ee5f13d949_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8523/8525979223_ee5f13d949.jpg","alt":"207 Ninth St., Huntington Beach"},{"id":"528886","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8250/8527063478_8e88590de4_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8250/8527063478_8e88590de4.jpg","alt":"506 Ninth St., Huntington Beach"},{"id":"528888","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49546291907_20ede70e7b_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49546291907_20ede70e7b.jpg","alt":"Brantford Ontario - Canada  - The Bell Monument - Telephone Inventor"}]}}