Make the Most of Locals’ Summer

The calendar says summer is winding down, but locals know better. After Labor Day, places such as Belmar, Manasquan, Ocean Grove, Asbury Park and Point Pleasant Beach become noticeably quieter as the summer crowds thin out. What remains is locals’ summer: warm ocean water, easier parking, uncrowded beaches and boardwalks, and more room to enjoy the places in our own backyard.

Here are a few ways to make the most of it.

Explore Town by Town

Spend an afternoon walking through the shops in Point Pleasant Beach or Manasquan, visit galleries and independent businesses in Asbury Park, or take a leisurely stroll through Ocean Grove.

While exploring, stop at one of the area’s refillery shops. Greater Goods Refillery in Manasquan carries refillable household and body products, along with sustainable goods for the kitchen and bathroom. District Refillery & Co. in Point Pleasant also offers low-waste home and personal-care products, with a focus on bulk foods and teas. Customers can bring their own containers and refill products they use regularly rather than purchasing new packaging each time.

Avon-by-the-Sea also has two distinctive businesses on our radar. SoulShine Crystals is a spiritual boutique offering crystals, jewelry, candles, skin-care products, clothing and home goods.

Just down the street, Of the Earth Apothecary at 408 Main Street carries handmade herbal products, organic bulk herbs and books. The apothecary also offers classes and workshops on subjects such as herbalism, gardening, seasonal plant walks and making herbal preparations.

Make Going to the Beach a Priority

Did you know that despite living only minutes from the ocean, a surprising number of local residents rarely go to the beach? Some never go at all.

Locals’ summer is a good time to change that.

Go for an hour. Walk along the water, sit quietly and listen to the waves, or just lie on the sand and just chill. People pay thousands of dollars and travel great distances to do exactly that!

Have you seen the sunrise recently? On Sept. 1, sunrise is at approximately 6:24 a.m. By the end of the month, it moves closer to 6:51 a.m. Bring coffee, a chair or a blanket and stay for a while.

Revisit a Favorite Restaurant or Try a New One

Locals’ summer is a good time to return to the restaurants that were difficult to get into during July and August. Make a weekday reservation, try a place that recently opened or finally visit the spot you have driven past all summer.

Gourmand in Point Pleasant Beach opened in May. The restaurant serves modern American food in a restored setting that includes a main dining room, private dining room and chef’s table. We checked, and the next available table was in October. It must be good!

The Poached Pear Bistro is not new, but it is consistently mentioned by residents as a must-visit. The contemporary American BYOB on Arnold Avenue recently received additional praise from New Jersey Monthly.

Spring Lake also welcomed Marée, a French coastal bistro and bar on Third Avenue. We hear good things!

Every chance we get, we visit Marigold Market and Cafe in Spring Lake Heights for breakfast or lunch. Its seasonally influenced menu includes chef-created dishes, familiar breakfast and lunch favorites, and pastries and baked goods made in-house.

The Sept. 19 Trifecta

Three events, three towns and three very different ways to spend a September Saturday:

Sea.Hear.Now begins its two-day run in Asbury Park on Sept. 19, bringing music, surfing and art to the waterfront. The 2026 festival is sold out, although late-night shows and a ticket waitlist are available.

The 48th annual Festival of the Sea will take over downtown Point Pleasant Beach with food from local restaurants, live music and hundreds of craft vendors.

In Red Bank, the second annual Red Bank Pop Culture Festival will be held from noon to 4 p.m. The downtown event celebrates movies, comics, art, gaming, music, anime and cosplay.

So how do you plan to make the most of locals’ summer? We hope you get outside and take advantage of all it has to offer!

Until next time, peace.