Ocean City Wins N.J.’s “Favorite Beach” Contest – Again

There are many beach towns lining New Jersey’s 127-mile-long coast. But only one of them can be crowned as “New Jersey’s Favorite Beach.”

That would be Ocean City. Again.

For the 12th straight year, Ocean City took top honors in the “Favorite Beaches” statewide poll conducted by the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, a nonprofit organization devoted to protecting and promoting the coast.

Representatives of the Sea Grant Consortium announced the top beach communities named in the annual contest during a presentation at the Ocean City Music Pier on Thursday morning.

“Here in New Jersey, our beaches are more than just sand and surf – they’re part of our identity,” Sea Grant Consortium spokeswoman Samantha Kreisler said. “They fuel our local economies, welcome millions of tourists each year, and provide a place for families, friends and generations to come together and enjoy the beauty of our natural world.”

Ocean City received 5,771 votes in the statewide poll, far more than any other beach community. Ocean City’s dominance of the contest year after year is more like a dynasty.

“It’s an honor to see this annual contest confirm what generations of families already know: Ocean City is the best,” Mayor Jay Gillian said in a statement. “I want to thank everyone who works so hard to make Ocean City the special place that it is, including the entire city team, our public safety departments, the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Development Commission, the Boardwalk and Downtown Merchants associations, local businesses, all volunteer groups and the entire community.”

Michael Allegretto, aide to the mayor, characterized the contest results as "awesome" and invited all of Ocean City's representatives to the podium at the Music Pier to celebrate the win together.

The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium began the contest in 2008 to “inspire pride in and stewardship of New Jersey’s beaches while promoting a little healthy competition between New Jersey’s favorite beach towns.”

Once known as “New Jersey’s Top 10 Beaches,” the contest was renamed “New Jersey’s Favorite Beaches” after Hurricane Sandy’s devastating blow to the Jersey Shore in 2012 to better reflect the diversity and unity of the coastal communities, Kreisler explained.

In addition to winning the “Favorite Beach” contest, Ocean City has been named “Best Beach in America” and “Best Beach” in other statewide polls in recent years. “America’s Greatest Family Resort” also has been recognized for its Boardwalk, downtown, ecotourism, family destinations, women-owned businesses and more.

    Christina Mastran, of Washington Township, N.J., makes sandcastles on the beach with her sons, Cole, 7, and Mason, 12.
  

Christina Mastran, a visitor from Washington Township, N.J., said Ocean City’s beaches provide an ideal atmosphere for her and her sons, Mason, 12, and Cole, 7.

“I like them because they’re family-friendly,” Mastran said, noting that she visits Ocean City every summer.

Mason and Cole were busy Thursday morning making sandcastles on the Ninth Street beach.

“I like the water. I also like the sand because it lets me make good sandcastles,” Mason said of what he enjoys most in Ocean City.

Cole sounded like he was ready to make a commercial for Ocean City after giving it an enthusiastic, one-word endorsement.

When asked what he likes best in Ocean City, Cole replied, “Everything.”

The New Jersey Favorite Beaches contest is decided by online voters. It includes the overall winner and runner-up for the state, as well as the top two beach communities for each of the four coastal counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean.

Following are the results:

Overall winners: 1) Ocean City, 2) Margate

Atlantic County: 1) Margate, 2) Brigantine

Cape May County: 1) Ocean City, 2) Cape May

Monmouth County: 1) Asbury Park, 2) Spring Lake

Ocean County: 1) Beach Haven, 2) Point Pleasant Beach

    The sign in front of the Music Pier announces Ocean City as New Jersey's "Favorite Beach."