Jersey Shore
 

My son (mid 20's) & I plan to rent a car and do a day trip from NYC to the Jersey Shore.
1. Suggestions as to LOW KEY beaches? (no masses, boom boxes, tents, massive tables, people who bring everything that isnt bolted down, etc.)
2. Where to park?
3. When is traffic really bad?
4. restaurant suggestions
5. Alternatively...ARE there ANY hotels/motels in the area to stay for 1-2 nights? (clean, modern essential, ambiance not important).
Thanks.

For a day trip I like Island beach state park. It's not as far as Long Beach Island, there's plenty of parking, and it's a state park so you're away from a lot of the honkey tonk.

There is plenty of parking in the lots right around the pavillions/access areas

No picnic tables near the beach. If you walk 100 yards left or right from the access areas you can very quickly get far away from any crowds. Keep in mind the more isolated you get that also means less teens/mid 20's eye candy for your son to look at, which is often what makes a day at the beach enjoyable.

If you're going on a weekend then traffic gets bad on the GSP by 10am - you really want to be well beyond the GSP/Turnpike interchange before then. If you leave NYC by 8 you'd probably be ahead of the Saturday crowds headed to the beach for the week, but if it's a really nice day you'd have to leave earlier as good weather always brings out more traffic.

Can't speak for hotels or restaurants. You'd be taking the Toms River exit, so look around there. It'd be about 20-30min from there to the beach, but cost, age, and availability may be better than right near the beach.

Hotels, crowds, and traffic all will be a LOT less if you go on a weekday.

You might want to try Spring Lake, a beautiful,upscale town on the Jersey shore close to NYC.
There is no commercial developement on the gorgeous 2 mile stretch of boardwalk, except for a small concession where you can buy light meals and snacks, drinks and beach related sundries.

There are plenty of places to stay in Spring Lake...B&B's, inns and the oceanfront Breakers on the Ocean hotel. The town is charming, the homes stately and there are plenty of great dining options. I highly recommend Spring Lake...should meet all your requirements.

For nice, quiet beaches I really like Ocean Grove and Spring Lake. You can park on the streets in Ocean Grove but the later you get there the harder it will be. The traffic is going to be bad any time on the weekend.

There is a recent post on here referencing Cape May but it has many other useful tidbits that you may find helpful.

My suggestion is to go during the week to towns like Brigantine, Ventnor, Margate, Longport or even the south end of Atlantic City (near the Hilton).

There are many reasonable motels in Absecon, West Atlantic City and Somers Point that would be perfect for a short trip.

There is plenty of parking in these towns during the week.

Go to www.MyJerseyShore.com for more information.

SPRING LAKE GOOD PARKING REST ROOM AT NORTH AND SOUTH END PAY FOR BEACH ACCESS

Ocean Grove is sounding good.
Any suggestions as to a really great seafood restaurant near there?

In nearby Belmar, Klein's is an old-time family-run place right on the Shark River. Not "great," but reliable, consistent, with fresh-caught fish you can see being delivered directly to the restaurant by local fishermen. http://www.kleinsfishmarketonline.com/

Also nearby is Moonstruck, formerly in Ocean Grove, now in Asbury Park, virtually next door. More elaborate than Klein's. http://www.moonstrucknj.com/

Both places do not take reservations in season; first come, first served. The waits can be long, especially on weekends. The nature of dining at the Jersey Shore.