Vacation rentals in Ocean Beach

The Barnegat Peninsula occupies 20 miles of barrier island on New Jersey’s fabled Jersey Shore. It shifts from glittering amusement park rides to old-school Skee-Ball arcades and pristine beaches perfect for swimming and surf-fishing. In the middle of it all is Ocean Beach, a resort community and unincorporated section of Toms River township. After the devastation of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, locals began elevating classic barracks-style bungalows onto pilings, or replacing them with larger cottages. But the vibe remains the same here: very family friendly.

Ocean Beach marries a cozy atmosphere with a splash of boisterous boardwalk culture. Once you’re done with the mini golf and pedal boats, head south to re-energize at the tranquil Island Beach State Park. Sand dunes and sugar-white coves sprawl 13 miles from Ocean Beach, punctuated by beach heather and prickly pear cactus.

The Jersey Shore teems all summer long. If you have the flexibility, wait for families to decamp when kids get back to school. You’ll avoid peak crowds, both on the road and at the seashore. Some beaches remain staffed by lifeguards until mid-to-late September; after that, chillier ocean temperatures send most swimmers scrabbling for wetsuits. That period also brings popular annual events like the Rock the Farm Festival, the Wheels & Wings Auto Show, and the New Jersey Festival of the Sea.

The shoulder seasons still hold plenty of appeal. April, May, September, and October’s typically mild temperatures invite walks, bike rides, kayak trips, and lazy days on the beach. Winter tends to be sleepy and more on the windy, shivery side.

Grave of Sinbad the Dog

Salty Atlantic sailors once celebrated a mutt smuggled aboard the U.S. Coast Guard vessel Campbell in 1937. Named Sinbad, the mascot got court-martialed three years later for chasing sheep. The commanding officer found him guilty and busted the draft-beer-loving scamp from First Class Dog to Seaman Pup. But nothing could tarnish Sinbad’s celebrity after a German U-boat almost sank the Campbell in 1943. Visit the heroic hound’s tomb at Barnegat Light Station, a 44-mile drive south from Ocean Beach.

The Paranormal Museum

Quirk it up at this compendium of curiosities in Asbury Park, 21 miles north. Displays include haunted dolls and the alleged skull of the Jersey Devil, a cryptid rumored to haunt the Pine Barrens. The museum also hosts ghost hunts and tours of the area’s haunted history.

Seaside Heights

This livelier town just three miles south has more of the classic Jersey Shore vibe. Add some adrenaline to your getaway with the 97-degree drop and three inversions on the Casino Pier roller coaster. For a more mellow experience, turn to Seaside Heights’ beloved 1910 Dentzel-Looff carousel, which will reopen nearby in mid-to-late 2022.