Spending a summer living on the Jersey Shore was one of the best choices I have ever made. I loved absolutely every second and daydream often about the next time I will be able to make it back to Sea Isle City.
While I was officially living in Ocean View (the mainland counterpart of Sea Isle), I spent the majority of my time in Sea Isle, Cape May, Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Strathmere. I have collected a few options to mix and match to create the most perfect day ever in this really special place.
coffee
Talk to any Sea Isle lover and they will tell you THE spot is Sidney’s Coffe & Eats in Strathmere. If they have it on the menu, I recommend the chocolate covered strawberry latte. I loved this spot to sit and cram out some work on their covered porch. I don’t even have a second coffee recommendation because I felt like I was cheating on this place going anywhere else.
breakfast
For breakfast I am giving you two options. If it’s raining, I’m sending you to Avalon Coffee Co just a few minutes down the road. The bagels here are the best I had on the shore and I dream of the fresh orange juice. This is a good spot for a rainy day because it is surrounded by a lot of shops to spend your time exploring in when the beach isn’t an option.
If it’s a nice day, why are we wasting time getting breakfast?? Get up early to find a good parking spot. The paid spots may look enticing for convenience, but take the extra 5 mins to drive just a few blocks North or South for the free street parking.
Then, while you are walking towards the beach, take a pit stop at The Juice Pod on the promenade for something quick and fresh. I loved their acai bowls to start my beach day on a hydrated, cooled-off note.
lunch
Because I was driving in from Ocean View each time I had a beach day, without fail I would be stopping at the Wawa right on the corner of Route 9 and Sea Isle Blvd. It will be packed 24/7, so come in with a game plan. I would build my own hoagie and pick up fruit, chips, and a gatorade (perhaps to be enhanced with a little Malibu rum later down the line…..). BYO cooler and watch out for overzealous seagulls.
My other recommendation would be to take a break from the sun and walk to Panzini’s Pizzeria. This was the best slice I found and they have decent lunch deals. The seagulls love Wawa, but they ESPECIALLY love swooping down on an unassuming pizza slice, so be extra diligent!
to do
Obviously I will always recommend spending every second you can on the beach cycling between a good book, swimming in the ocean, and absorbing as much sun as possible. Keep some cash on you for the beach tags. Memorial Day-Labor Day, Sea Isle beach tags are $10 daily by cash. OR you could drive up to Strathmere where the beaches are free hint hint.
Some other areas to check out for shopping and bites are the Sea Isle promenade, Dune Rd from 20th-26th st in Avalon, and Washington St mall in Cape May. Skip the kitschy tourist stores and opt for Shop Local (Cape May), Victorious (Cape May), She Be Surfin’ (Avalon), and Sessoms’ Gifts and Candies (Sea Isle).
If you have especially a lot of time on your hands, I HIGHLY recommend going to the Cape May Zoo. I cannot believe this zoo is free for everything it has to offer and you could definitely spend a full day here no problem.
If all else fails, take the time to start in Cape May and head north on Ocean Drive with your windows down and favorite music on.
dinner
My favorite way to end a day in Sea Isle is with sushi, edamame, and miso soup from Sushi Ocean View. You MUST get the sunset roll, no debate. Note that the entire show here is run by one baddie, which means sometimes the wait is a bit longer. I recommend ordering ahead then picking up takeout and enjoying it on the beach while watching the sunset. Thank me later.
If you’re looking for other sit-down places to eat, I was very impressed with the famous Mike’s Seafood. It is BYOB, pretty busy, NOT cheap, but worth the hype if you can swing it!
Some other favorites included La Dona in Cape May (get the elote!!!, byob), Tuckahoe Inn in Ocean View (great sunset and great drinks), and The Watering Hull in Stone Harbor.
sweet treat
You’re on vacation, you deserve a sweet treat! My pick will always be an ice cream cone. The best I found were at Yum Yum’s right off the promenade and Custard King conveniently across from Sushi Ocean View.
Honorable mention to the fried oreos that I tried for the first time from Drifter’s at 2am while very drunk.
nightlife
Surprisingly, I didn’t spend much time out while on the shore. This was primarily because I didn’t know many people my age in the area and I think you’re considered to “have a drinking problem” when you’re clubbing alone like that. However, my favorite spots to take friends who came to visit were Shenanigan’s and Ocean Drive.
I liked Shenanigan’s because sometimes they have a bubble machine with fog-filled bubbles. Ocean Drive is a bit more of a younger crowd and gets busier. I HIGHLY recommend going to Ocean Drive when they have dueling pianos going on. Both are cash only and have ATM’s outside.
If you’ve never been before, I HIGHLY recommend making the roadtrip to Sea Isle City 🙂 <3