{"ok":true,"data":{"id":2670,"slug":"ocean-city-beach-ocean-city","name":"Ocean City Beach","country":"USA","state":"New Jersey","city":"Ocean City","coords":{"lat":39.2776,"lng":-74.5746},"beachType":null,"tags":["famous"],"article":{"hero":"Ocean City's beachfront unfolds in a gentler rhythm than its glitzier Jersey Shore neighbors. The sand here runs pale gold and remarkably fine, packing firm near the waterline where morning joggers leave fleeting tracks. You'll notice the absence of bars and liquor stores—this has been a dry town since its 1879 founding—which sets a tone that draws families back summer after summer, often to the same rental cottages their grandparents once booked.\n\nThe two-and-a-half-mile boardwalk strings together pizza parlors, fudge shops, and an amusement pier where the Ferris wheel creaks to life each evening. Below, the beach widens at low tide into a vast apron perfect for kite flying and sandcastle engineering. The Atlantic here lacks drama—no severe drop-offs or riptides—making it ideal for children who spend hours jumping the shin-high breakers. Lifeguards in red suits watch over numbered beaches from June through Labor Day, their whistles punctuating the gulls' cries.\n\nYou'll find your groove between 6th and 14th Streets, where beach-badge checkers patrol and families stake claims with wagon-loads of gear. The water stays refreshingly cool even in August, hovering around 72 degrees, and the eastern exposure means you can watch sunrise without leaving your blanket. As afternoon softens into evening, the exodus begins—sandy feet trudging toward outdoor showers, the day's haul of shells clinking in plastic buckets.","teaser":"You'll smell the caramel corn before you see the Victorian gables peeking over the dunes. Ocean City's coastline stretches wide and shallow, letting toddlers wade ankle-deep while you plant your chair in sand that squeaks underfoot. The waves roll in gentle sets, and by noon the beach fills with multigenerational clans hauling coolers, boogie boards, and decades of August tradition.","uniqueAngle":"New Jersey's oldest family resort remains an alcohol-free zone, preserving a wholesomeness that has defined its eight-mile shoreline for nearly 150 years.","accessType":"Drive-up with beach badges","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Wade the Shallows","subtitle":"Gentle slope, perfect for toddlers"},{"icon":"food","title":"Boardwalk Breakfast","subtitle":"Brown's donuts before nine o'clock"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Sunrise Watch","subtitle":"East-facing shore, no crowds yet"},{"icon":"surf","title":"Boogie Board Breaks","subtitle":"Consistent two-foot summer rollers"}],"audience":{"surfer":"You'll find rideable waves near the jetties at 8th and 34th Streets, where rock groins trap sandbars and create shoulder-high sets during northeast swells. Summer brings knee-to-waist-high rollers—gentle enough for longboards and perfect for teaching groms. The breaks lack power but offer long, forgiving rides. Fall nor'easters deliver the best conditions, with offshore winds and head-high faces. Locals congregate at the north end before dawn; give them the peak and you'll earn nods. Water temps demand a 4/3 wetsuit October through May.","couples":"Stake your blanket near 12th Street at golden hour, where the setting sun backlights the boardwalk and paints the Victorian skyline in amber. After your swim, walk three blocks to The Chatterbox for crab cakes on the patio, then return for an evening stroll as the amusement pier lights blink on. Book a room at The Flanders Hotel—its 1920s elegance and rooftop deck offer unobstructed ocean views. Skip the crowds by visiting mid-September, when the water remains swimmable and you'll have the sand nearly to yourselves by late afternoon.","backpacker":"Beach badges run $10 daily (free before 9:30 a.m. and after 5 p.m.), so time your swim accordingly. Crash at Ocean City Campground three miles inland for $45 a night, or grab a hostel bed in nearby Somers Point. The free shuttle runs weekends in summer. Fill up at Prep's Market—hoagies under $9—or hit Varsity Inn for enormous breakfast platters around $8. Bring a refillable water bottle; boardwalk taps work fine. Rent bikes for $12 daily and skip parking headaches entirely.","local":"Arrive at 7th Street by 7 a.m. on weekdays in July—you'll claim prime real estate before the badge-checkers clock in and the day-trippers clog the causeways. The stretch between 53rd and 57th Streets stays quieter even mid-afternoon; locals know the southern beaches offer more elbow room. During full-moon high tides in September, sandbars emerge perfect for temporary island picnics. After storms, beachcomb the north end jetties at dawn for sea glass and intact whelk shells before the crowds trample them.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Ocean City Beach is exceptionally safe for families with children. The beach patrol operates daily from late June through Labor Day, with professional lifeguards stationed along the shoreline. The beaches feature gentle waves and gradual slopes, ideal for young swimmers. Ocean City is a dry town with no alcohol sales, contributing to a family-friendly atmosphere. Always swim near lifeguard stands during patrol hours (typically 10am-5:30pm), and check daily beach reports for water quality and surf conditions before entering the water.","q":"Is Ocean City Beach safe for swimming with kids?"},{"a":"Ocean City Beach shines from late June through August, offering warmest ocean temperatures (68-72°F) and full amenities including lifeguards and boardwalk attractions. May and September provide pleasant weather with fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates, though water is cooler. For budget travelers, visiting after Labor Day offers significant savings while maintaining mild temperatures into October. The beach and iconic boardwalk remain accessible year-round, with winter offering peaceful beach walks. Summer weekends and July bring peak crowds, so weekdays are recommended for families seeking more space.","q":"When is the best time to visit Ocean City Beach?"},{"a":"Ocean City offers both metered street parking and paid parking lots throughout the island. Street meters cost approximately $2-3 per hour and accept credit cards or the ParkOC mobile app. Municipal lots are located every few blocks along the beach, charging $2-4 per hour or $20-30 daily depending on season and location. The 6th Street, 12th Street, and Boardwalk lots are most popular. Parking is free from October through April. Arrive before 10am during summer for best availability, or consider biking as Ocean City is very bike-friendly.","q":"Where can I park at Ocean City Beach and how much does it cost?"},{"a":"Ocean City's famous 2.5-mile boardwalk features classic shore favorites including Mack & Manco Pizza, Kohr Bros frozen custard, Shriver's salt water taffy, and Johnson's Popcorn. Downtown Asbury Avenue offers diverse sit-down restaurants from seafood to Italian cuisine. Numerous hotels, motels, and vacation rentals line the beachfront and nearby streets, ranging from budget-friendly to upscale. The adjacent commercial district on Asbury Avenue provides grocery stores for self-catering. No alcohol is sold anywhere in Ocean City, so note this when planning meals out or grocery shopping.","q":"What food and dining options are available near Ocean City Beach?"},{"a":"Yes, Ocean City requires beach tags for beach access from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day for visitors age 12 and older. Daily tags cost approximately $8-10, weekly tags around $15-20, and seasonal tags $25-35. Tags can be purchased online, at designated sales locations, or from beach tag checkers who patrol the beaches. Children under 12 enter free. Beaches are free to access during off-season months (September-May). Keep your tag visible while on the beach, and save it if purchasing seasonal passes for potential future visits.","q":"Do I need to pay for beach access in Ocean City?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Ocean City Beach: New Jersey's Boardwalk & Family Shores","description":"Wide sands meet vintage boardwalk charm on this dry-town island where carousel rides, salt-water taffy, and gentle surf create generations of family memories.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48401119772_93125bf0f5_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"521431","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5729/31252677846_900c96431e_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5729/31252677846_900c96431e.jpg","alt":"San Diego"},{"id":"521435","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1965/44014566705_644d35ec1c_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1965/44014566705_644d35ec1c.jpg","alt":"20170101_14k Surfer out among the waves | Rockaway Park, New York City"},{"id":"521436","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5659/30876892350_70ddd6344d_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5659/30876892350_70ddd6344d.jpg","alt":"San Diego"},{"id":"521438","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51911196856_023cb79af2_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51911196856_023cb79af2.jpg","alt":"Le Fort-Bloqué, Morbihan"}]}}