Monmouth County, N.J.

Monmouth County is the northern shore county stretching from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet. The mainland of New Jersey reaches to the shore in this area without a significant back-bay. As a result tranport from inland to the ocean is easy and extensive in all of Monmouth County. This area is also closer to the historically developed areas of northern New Jersey, as well as New York City. Permanent populations inhabit the towns along the coast of Monmouth County, with only limited additional summer populations.

Asbury Park Convention Hall

Virtually the entire coast of Monmouth County, from Sandy Hook to Manasquan, includes a beautiful and useable sandy beach. The coast is divided into several individual towns, each with its own character. A number of these have wooden boardwalks which are popular in the area.

From all of Monmouth County major roads are readily accessible, including the Garden State Parkway, which runs parallel to the coast, the New Jersey Turnpike, slightly further inland, and I-195 which heads straigth inland from Belmar, crossing the Garden State Parkway and N.J. Turnpike, then continuing West to Trenton and other Interstate connections.

There are quite a few coastal towns in Monmouth County, as well as many more inland. A few of the coastal towns are listed below.

Sandy Hook

Located at the northern-most part of the New Jersey Coast, Sandy Hook is not a developed area, but rather a beach and protected park area. Sandy Hook Lighthouse is near the northern end of Sandy Hook. It is the oldest operating lighthouse in the country and is open to the public.

Long Branch

Long Branch is typical of the towns in Monmouth County, with a primarily permanent population. The town has been re-developing this long-popular destination for the growing population and to attract business and visitors. The town provides good access to the ocean beach for just a few dollars a day per person. Beach facilities have been built and improved. Also nearby are many new and pre-existing restaurants and other stores. Next to Long Branch, in Oceanport, is Monmouth Park Racetrack - a pleasant family-oriented racetrack with top-quality racing.

Asbury Park

Asbury Park was once one of the more deveoped towns on the northern New Jersey coast. Toward the end of the 20th century it became run down, like some other formerly popular coastal towns. More recently however, it has been experiencing more redevelopment and a more modern appearance. Asbury Park is probably most noted these days as the home of Bruce Springstein. Other similar towns nearby share the music and party culture of Asbury Park, including Ocean Grove, Belmar and Spring Lake.

Manasquan

Located right at Manasquan Inlet, the town of Manasquan marks the southern end of Monmouth County. As an active boating and beach community, Manasquan is a more seasonal location than some other towns in Monmouth County. With easy public access to the town beaches, at reasonable rates, Manasquan has become a popular beach destination.