Ocean Access: The Beachfront Towns of Monmouth & Ocean County, New Jersey

Spanning New Jersey’s coastline, it explores the history, evolution, and beauty of Monmouth and Ocean County’s beachfront towns.

Stretching nearly 2,100 miles along the Atlantic Ocean, America’s eastern coastline is shared by only fourteen states—New Jersey among them. Of its 564 municipalities, only a select few touch the sea.

These shores were once home to the Lenape people, who thrived on the region’s fertile rivers, lush woodlands and bountiful ocean. By the early nineteenth century, the coast remained sparsely populated, occupied by fishermen and cattle farmers. That changed with the railroad boom of the 1850s, which brought waves of visitors seeking refuge from the sweltering, overcrowded cities to the north. And so, the iconic Jersey Shore was born.

This book showcases every beachfront town in Monmouth and Ocean County, from the northern tip of Sandy Hook to the southern shores of Long Beach Island, exploring their origins, etymology, and evolution. Featuring the author’s full-color photography, it captures the beauty of these beloved coastal communities.

Ocean Access: The Beachfront Towns of Monmouth & Ocean County is the perfect keepsake for those who call these coastal towns home—whether year-round or just for the summer.