Summers Remembered in Monmouth Beach, Long Branch and Sea Bright …

This way …

There’s no place like home — except maybe the beach. Generations of local folks and families have enjoyed the sun and fun at the Jersey Shore — making for lasting memories. As a shore person myself, I already know how much we treasure our beaches and beach clubs — past and present. Going back to peak summer seasons in the 1960s, MB • SB • LB towns combined had more than 30 beach clubs (private and public).

Times have changed but area beaches continue to thrive. For Summer 2026, total Monmouth County shore town beach badge revenue topped $32 million. The most ever. The following photo-essays captures some of the beach life through the years in Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, and Sea Bright (including Highland Beach). Sandy Hook too. Enjoy my beach club anthology:

“The Jersey Shore was the first developed coastline in the US — it’s where Americans learned to love the beach.”
—The Beach Builders by John Seabrook

• Long Branch: City of Beach Clubs

• Sea Bright: Boro of Beach Clubs

• Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion: Cool Century

• Monmouth Beach Club: Shore Solitude

• Highland Beach: Playground of the Past

• Sandy Hook: Millions of Sun Worshipers