Empty Beaches, No Wait at the Bar: Inside Jersey Shore’s ‘Local Summer

As a local to the Jersey Shore, some things will never get old. Like being able to head over to the beach for an hour or two before going into work.

Or watching the sunset over the bay from the Wildwood Pier in Ocean Gate. It's just an amazing place to call home.

And one of the most special things we get to experience as locals is the joy of local summer.

When Is Local Summer At The Jersey Shore?

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It's that special time of year after Labor Day, when the weather is still warm, we have nice sunny days, and all the tourists who clog up our roads, towns, and beaches have gone home for the season.

Typically from Labor Day to the end of September/early October.

Every year, my wife and I take a few days off to enjoy this, and I swear, it'll never get old.

What Makes Local Summer So Special For Jersey Shore Locals

We went to the beach, didn't even have to fight for prime parking in Ortley, just pulled right up to the boardwalk, and when we stepped onto the beach, it was us, a handful of other locals, and a pristine beach to set up camp on.

Local summer also means we get to enjoy some of the bars and restaurants we typically avoid in the summer, just due to the crowds. We stopped by the Ocean View in Seaside Heights after our beach day, and not only could we get a prime seat at the outdoor bar, but it was that perfect time of day when the air was cool and the sun was shining hard.

Why Every Local Should Take Some Time To Enjoy Local Summer

This really is the most magical time of the year at the shore, and if you're also a local and you don't take some time off work over the next two or three weeks, you really should try.