The beach often reminds people of the summer vacation. A weekend getaway or the day trip to swell the salty air and grab an ice cream cone from Kohrs Brothers is a nice vacation for some individuals, but for the rest of locals living in one of America’s most popular vacation towns, it is just another day at home.
The Jersey shore is one of America’s most popular vacation spots. In 2015, tourism in New Jersey resulted in more than $43 billion in revenue.
Ocean City, N.J. is where millions of people vacation to experience their first slice Manco and Manco Pizza, the smell of the caramel corn at Johnson’s Popcorn, the sticky gooey salt-water taffy from Shrivers and their stomach turning the first time they ride the Ferris Wheels at Wonderland. Some people only have a day to discover everything great thing that Ocean City has to offer.
The beach is most crowded during the summer, when students are out for the season; however, many locals appreciate the shore more during the cooler seasons.
Brooke Tarr, a Flagler College student, said, “In Ocean City, NJ the best time of year is September the weather is perfect and beaches are so empty because everyone is at school.”
“Living and going to school on the beach was a unique experience. There was always something to do because we went to beach and boardwalk during classes,” Alex Love, a Rutgers University student, said. “In the off season, I like to ride my bike and take walks on the boardwalk. I also like bringing my dogs to the beach throughout the seasons.”
Though many tourists think the shore shuts down when summer ends, locals still appreciate the beach during the fall and even winter.
Not every store closes when the summer ends. Most of the shops on Asbury Avenue stay open year-round for the residents of Ocean City.
Many locals hang out on the Avenue either at Ocean City Coffee Company to warm themselves up with famously delicious hot chocolates or grab a mouth-watering acai bowl at Yoasis to get one last bite of what summer tastes like.
People love the beach for different reasons.
“I love that I can go to the beach to collect my thoughts and [it] instantly calms me down. It is like cheap therapy,” Tarr said.
Natalie Viso, a students at California State University, lived at the beach and decided to go away to school that is located near the beach so she would never miss it.
“I go to the beach almost every weekend to reflect on my school week, unwind and reminisce about home,” Viso said. “It is 20-30 minute drive, depending on traffic, but well worth the wait to put my toes in the sand.”
