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Every New Jerseyan has a favorite place to visit down the Shore. But only the people who live there have a true insider’s perspective on the region. That’s why, for this summer’s Shore Guide, we turned to the people who know the Shore best: the residents.
Below, they let the rest of us in on their little secrets, sharing their picks for places to eat, shop, explore the outdoors, and spend time at their favorite place in the world.
MONMOUTH COUNTY
Justin Seiller
Where I live: Asbury Park and Englewood
What I do: BMX rider and coffee barista
My age: 27
Place I love: The Stone Pony, Asbury Park
Photo: Dave Moser
This BMX rider and barista in Asbury Park loves riding his bike downtown and on the boardwalk in the off-season; he also performs street tricks at special events. Justin Seiller moved to Asbury Park in part because he loves to surf, and also because he likes the vibe there. His favorite spot in the city, he says, is the Stone Pony, where, he estimates, he saw 25 live shows last summer. “There’s something special and magical about seeing a show there, when the beach is right in front of you,” he says. He also loves the Sea Hear Now festival in Asbury Park each September. —Jacqueline Mroz
Buy our June 2025 issue here. Cover photo: Ann Coen
Eileen Chapman
Where I live: Asbury Park
What I do: Director of Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music in West Long Branch
My age: 73
Place I love: Food Truck Court, Asbury Park
“As a year-round local who loves all Asbury Park has to offer, my secret summer spot takes me away from the masses. The food-truck park at the edge of the beach and boardwalk on Seventh Avenue is a hidden paradise, where the salty ocean breeze mixes with the mouthwatering scent of sizzling street food. Tucked away from the boardwalk, it’s the perfect place to escape; the hum of the waves, live music on Friday evenings, and laughter of a few locals create the ideal background music. Every bite tastes better with a cool breeze, sand between your toes, and the sun dipping on the horizon. It’s not just about the food—it’s about the sense of serenity and belonging in this tucked-away corner of the world that feels like yours alone.”
North Beach at the corner of Seventh and Ocean avenues
Seiko Sato-Martini
Where I live: Holmdel
What I do: Owner/franchisee of Studio Pilates in Long Branch
My age: 55
Place I love: Purpose Yoga, Long Branch
Photo: Dave Moser
Seiko Sato-Martini has gone through a lot of transformations in her life, all leading her to the Jersey Shore. Originally from Japan, she moved to the United States for college without speaking English. She found success in the finance industry in New York before moving with her family to Holmdel in the summer of 2000. Twenty years later, the pandemic brought on a pivotal change for Sato-Martini. “During the Covid shutdown, amidst my daily struggles, I experienced menopause and felt both exhausted and out of shape,” she says. “Nothing seemed to provide any real benefit or stick with me”—until she found Pilates and then decided to open a studio. Studio Pilates is located in vibrant Pier Village, just off the beach, so simply arriving there provides a breath of fresh air. “It makes you feel so good, like everything is going to be okay that day.” When not at the studio, favorite local spots include Purpose Yoga, also in Pier Village, for Vanessa Van Noy’s “amazing” hot stretch classes; Griffy’s Organics for smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices; and River Pointe Inn in Rumson for great eats. —Julie Gordon and James LaForge
Danny Clinch
Where I live: Toms River
What I do: Music photographer, owner of Transparent Clinch Gallery in Asbury Park, and cofounder of Sea Hear Now festival
My age: 61
Place I love: The Art Spot, Asbury Park
“The artist Porkchop just opened a gallery/store called the Art Spot. It has very cool one-of-a-kind clothing and art. You may have seen his murals all over town. We can never have too much art in Asbury!”
1100 Ocean Avenue, Suite H
Alex Faherty
Where I live: Spring Lake
What I do: Cofounder and CEO of Faherty Brand
My age: 42
Place I love: Washington Avenue beach, Spring Lake
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Catalano
“My favorite activity to do in town is surfing with my kids at Washington Avenue beach. What’s better than being able to walk a couple of blocks to the ocean with your board in hand, finding a great sandbar, and seeing the look on your kid’s face when they catch a fun wave?”
Lindsay McNamara
Where I live: Long Branch
What I do: CEO of Beachy Birder Adventures
My age: 34
Place I love: Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch
“Everyone should experience finding a sand dollar fully intact, seeing a pod of dolphins swim across the current, and watching sandpipers scurry across the sand.”
221 Ocean Avenue North
Patty Esposito
Where I live: Howell
What I do: Photographer
My age: 67
Place I love: Manasquan Reservoir
Photo: R.C. Staab
“It has a 5-mile walking/bike trail, gorgeous sunsets by the boat launch, and a nature center with an eagle cam to follow the local eagle pair when you don’t see them flying nearby.”
311 Windeler Road
Kaitlin Mahony
Where I live: Brielle
What I do: Owner of Sketchbook, a fashion-illustration company
My age: 44
Place I love: Batch, Manasquan
“Since I work from home, I love being able to go there to get a great coffee and change of scenery to get some work done. They have a little seating area inside, or, on a nice day, you can sit outside at a table to relax, work and take in the amazing atmosphere of downtown Manasquan.”
99 Main Street
Brian Thompson
Where I live: Monmouth Beach
What I do: Retired NBC4 New York reporter
My age: 74
Place I love: The Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
“Although I love Asbury Park most of all and the year-round music scene at McLoone’s Supper Club, where I got married, I have to say the most offbeat place, IMHO, has to be the Whitechapel Projects a block from Pier Village in Long Branch. Homemade brew and food with twisted takes, and sometimes music way too loud. It’s a blast in an adaptive-reuse, century-plus brick warehouse.”
15 Second Avenue
Patty Barber
Where I live: Asbury Park
What I do: Senior vice president of Silverball Retro Arcade in Asbury Park
My age: 58
Place I love: Ocean Grove
“I really, truly love taking a long walk to neighboring Ocean Grove, where I lived before moving to Asbury Park a few years ago, because it is like entering a different world. It feels like you are in a Hallmark movie with Victorian homes and lovely, quaint shops. It’s like taking a mini vacation from the hustle and bustle, and transporting to a different time.”
Michelle Perez
Where I live: Manasquan
What I do: Interior designer
My age: 56
Place I love: BookTowne, Manasquan
“Just, period, the best place in town! Peter, the owner, will host amazing authors for chats, and he always has the perfect recommendation when you are searching for your next read.”
171 Main Street
Elaine Hagin
Where I live: Belmar
What I do: College counselor
My age: 29
Place I love: Beach Haus Brewery, Belmar
“There are a lot of special events, but I really like trivia nights on Thursday, and Monday’s burger night. Every Friday, there’s this event called Test Department, where you get to try a new beer, including limited releases.”
801 Main Street
OCEAN COUNTY
Jenna Parker
Where I live: Harvey Cedars and Boston
What I do: Health-tech executive, lifeguard and actress
My age: 41
Place I love: Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars
Photo: Ann Coen
Though she lives in Boston now, Jenna Parker spends every summer lifeguarding with the beach patrol in Harvey Cedars. Her family has been going to LBI since her great-grandfather went there to fish before there were many—or any—homes on the island. Her family bought a house here in 1962, and she started lifeguarding at age 16. After college, Parker was a professional triathlete for 10 years, but in 2014 came back to LBI to lifeguard again. “I wanted to help Harvey Cedars win the island beach-patrol races; we hadn’t won in 42 years,” she says. “The next year, 2015, we won and haven’t lost since.” Parker loves the free concerts on Wednesday evenings at Sunset Park. “A lot of local bands play there,” she says. “The Danksters are a favorite. Some of them used to be on the beach patrol, too.” —Julia Martin
Jerry Cafone
Where I live: Lavallette
What I do: Owner of Jerry’s Farm Market in Ortley Beach
My age: 70
Place I love: Lizzie Rose Music Room, Tuckerton
“It’s a little 80-seat theater in an old Victorian house that a nonprofit maintains. You come up the side driveway and park on the grass in the back, and it’s really just a unique, unique place. They have good acts that play there. It’s not just bar bands, it’s national acts—mainly blues and folky-type stuff.”
217 East Main Street
Dave Werner
Where I live: Manahawkin
What I do: Marine biology teacher
My age: 45
Place I love: The backwaters of Barnegat Bay
Photo: Ann Coen
This father, veteran surfer and fisherman is always in or on the water. He even teaches about the ocean at Stockton University and at Ocean County’s Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science. Dave Werner also spends a lot of time on his boat fishing the back bays, channels and Barnegat Inlet, and heads far offshore for pelagic fish. “I love targeting striped bass in the back bay in early spring,” he says. “There’s something about the beauty of the salt marsh as the sun is setting, to sneak up into 2 feet of water, try not to spook a great blue heron in the spartina grass, casting and watching a striped bass smash my popper.” —Jon Coen
Elizabeth McCabe
Where I live: Ocean City
What I do: Owner of Lola’s Cafe & Kitchen in Absecon
My age: 38
Place I love: Sweat.oc Studio, Ocean City
“It has upbeat fitness classes that are great for strength building, and they have an outdoor class on the weekends in the summer that is really fun.”
225 West Avenue
Bonnie Giles
Where I live: Point Pleasant Beach
What I do: Retired educator
My age: 60
Place I love: Red’s Lobster Pot, Point Pleasant Beach
Photo: Courtesy of Bonnie Giles
“They have amazing sunsets, and the fishing boats are parked nearby, so you can watch the sunset and the boats in the river at the same time. Red’s has great lobster rolls, too, and delicious, fresh whole lobsters.”
57 Inlet Drive
Toniann Sosa
Where I live: Howell
What I do: Jenkinson’s Boardwalk arcade manager in Point Pleasant Beach
My age: 21
Place I love: Burger 25, Toms River
“I can guarantee, Burger 25 will be some of the best food you have ever had. This place is a summer staple for almost everyone I work with. I recommend getting the classic cheeseburger with half-and-half fries and onion rings, with extra of their signature garlic ranch. It may not be something right on the beach, but trust me, after a long day of swimming or running around on the boardwalk, there is nothing better than some Burger 25.”
199 NJ-37 East
Margaret “Pooch” Buchholz
Where I live: Harvey Cedars
What I do: Author and Shore historian
My age: 92
Place I love: Harvey Cedars public dock
Photo: Jack Reynolds
“My favorite spot is sitting on the end of the Harvey Cedars public dock, which has been on 78th Street almost as long as the town itself, where I can overlook the bay to the west, beyond Sandy Island. From here, you can watch the most incredible and glorious sunsets that color the sky, or a gathering squall barreling across the bay as I run back before the wind and rain reach me.”
Elvira Paniza
Where I live: Brick
What I do: QiGong and yoga instructor
My age: 75
Place I love: Spike’s Fish Market Restaurant, Point Pleasant Beach
“Whenever we return from our travels abroad, a visit to Spike’s, a charming little café in Point Pleasant, has become an indispensable part of our homecoming ritual. The rich, creamy texture of their white and red clam chowders is simply divine. A taste of home that instantly washes away the jet lag and reconnects us to familiar comfort.”
415 Broadway
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Alyse Scaffidi
Where I live: Ocean City
What I do: Co-owner of Coastal Chateau boutique hotel in Ocean City
My age: 35
Place I love: Longport Dog Beach, Egg Harbor Township
Photo: Courtesy of Alyse Scaffidi
“It’s a little slice of heaven where dogs can run free, splash in the water, and socialize off leash. Whether you have a pup or not, it’s such a feel-good, joy-filled place to start or end your day, any time of year.”
Ocean Drive
Farah Burns
Where I live: Margate
What I do: Owner of Sunset Outpost in Margate
My age: 48
Place I love: Fishbein Beach Workout at Granville Avenue Beach in Margate
“It’s run and led by local resident Rob Fishbein all summer long, and it’s completely free! It’s a guaranteed calorie burn and a huge feeling of accomplishment. You get nice and sandy, so bring a towel to brush off or wrap yourself in if you dip into the ocean.”
Justin “Time” Figueroa
Where I live: Atlantic City
What I do: Professional boxer
My age: 26
Place I love: Atlantic City Police Athletic League
Photo: Courtesy of Justin Figueroa
“I’m there every day; it is the most legendary boxing gym in New Jersey. My other favorite place to be is any Fight Night event in Atlantic City. Each one is even more packed and more electrifying than the last.”
250 North New York Avenue, Atlantic City
Allegra Oehmsen
Where I live: Little Egg Harbor Township
What I do: Director of events and marketing at White Horse Wine & Spirits in Absecon
My age: 37
Place I love: Lola’s Cafe, Absecon
Photo: Courtesy of Alyssa Mancini
“Open for less than a year, it’s quickly gaining popularity, but I don’t think the summer crowds have discovered it yet. If you’re a local and haven’t been, you’re in for a real treat! From the moment you walk in, you’ll be wowed by the bright, lively and effortlessly classy atmosphere. Lola’s specializes in daytime eats and offers homemade baked goods alongside a fresh coffee bar.”
410 White Horse Pike
Jacqui Cooke
Where I live: Galloway
What I do: Executive producer for a nonprofit TV company
My age: 39
Place I love: The Bee’s Knees at Smithville Village shops, Galloway
“My daughters and I love shopping there for earrings and fun hair accessories, including for local sports-inspired items celebrating the Eagles and Phillies. We recently bought little bunny earrings that the kids wore on Easter.”
3 North New York Road
Salvatore Spena
Where I live: Atlantic City
What I do: Owner/managing partner of Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, Isabella’s Italian Pizza Kitchen and Paulie’s Steak Italiano in Atlantic City
My age: 55
Places I love: Cafe 2825 and Chef Vola’s in Atlantic City
“Everyone always asks me where I go to eat when I’m not dining at one of my places. For the best tableside Italian, I tell them to see my dear friend Joe at Cafe 2825—simply delicious from start to finish. Fantastic wine list as well. If you’re looking for that Sunday Italian feel with the whole family, head over and see my guy Louie at Chef Vola—best bone-in veal parm ever. OMG! Tell them both Sal sent you.”
Cafe 2825, 2825 Atlantic Avenue; Chef Vola’s: 111 South Albion Place
CAPE MAY COUNTY
Crystal Hines
Where I live: Villas
What I do: Teacher
My age: 44
Place I love: East Lynne Theater, Cape May
Photo: Dave Moser
Work and fun converge for Crystal Hines, a multitasker who, while at her part-time job giving a tour for the Harriet Tubman Museum, ended up with another part-time job she loves. In 2022, when the East Lynne Theater presented a play about Tubman, the troupe visited the museum. The show’s director was so charmed by Hines’s tour delivery, he invited her to join his team. For guided tours at the museum, Hines adopts the persona of the freedom fighter—who had ties to the area. She uses an emotive, first-person discourse, speaking as Tubman. “I’m a kinesthetic learner,” says Hines, who is a natural performer. “I know many people benefit from interactive engagement.” The theater, which produces shows year-round, is just one of the many draws to the Cape May/Wildwood area, Hines says. “It is the culture here. You meet people from all over the world when you grow up at the Shore.” Hines’s family has been in Wildwood for four generations and in her teens, she worked on the boardwalk. “I learned to speak several languages conversationally,” she says, demonstrating an Irish brogue, a Jamaican patois, Turkish, and even consonant-heavy Serbian and Russian. —Deborah P. Carter
Catherine Donia
Where I live: North Cape May
What I do: Sales leader at lululemon and master’s student in education
My age: 28
Place I love: Howard Street Ramble, Cape May
“From 6 to 9 pm every Thursday from Memorial Day to Halloween, you can find us (and most locals) on the front lawn/porch of the Chalfonte Hotel for some live music. Great vibes all around, especially with the sun setting over the Victorian houses. Bring a chair.”
301 Howard Street
Daniel Magariel
Where I live: Cape May
What I do: Author, founder of Convent Arts, and art director of Cape May Point Arts and Science Center
My age: 41
Place I love: Cape May Point Arts and Science Center
Photo: Frank Scott
“I like to walk through the garden, visit the beach a stone’s throw away, or sit down for coffee with visiting artists.”
101 Lehigh Avenue
Kristin Long
Where I live: Stone Harbor
What I do: Director of marketing, development and communications at Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
My age: 68
Place I love: Stone Harbor Point
“No parties or picnics, just birds and butterflies. This designated conservation area is a very special place.”
120 Third Street
Brett Segal
Where I live: North Cape May
What I do: Software sales consultant
My age: 35
Place I love: The Bagel Shop, North Cape May
“The Bagel Shop is the brainchild of Aaron Wagner, fifth-generation bagel maker and previous owner of Philly Bagels. We needed great Philly bagels at a place where you can also get whitefish and lox, and Aaron delivers!”
3845 Bayshore Road
Jodi Duffy
Where I live: Avalon
What I do: Educational consultant
My age: 53
Place I love: Mandy’s Subs, Cape May Court House
“You wouldn’t know it’s a hoagie shop. It’s tiny and attached to a gas station, with pickup at a little window. But it is the best hoagie in the area, worth coming off the island for.”
518 Stone Harbor Boulevard
Ted Greenberg
Where I live: Atlantic County
What I do: Jersey Shore reporter for NBC10 Philadelphia and NBC4 New York
My age: 51
Place I love: Delaware Bayshore beaches
“The picturesque Delaware Bayshore beaches in Cape May County all year long are particularly fascinating in the spring, when thousands of horseshoe crabs emerge from the water for their annual spawning ritual, just as their ancestors have done for hundreds of millions of years.”
Pamela Pfrommer
Where I live: Ocean View
What I do: Retired hardware store sales associate
My age: 62
Place I love: Blue Dolfin Sweets, Marmora
“Stefan, the friendly, talented, creative, helpful owner and baker, is a former Marriott pastry chef. He uses the best chocolate, and that makes a huge difference. I get his pastries when company is coming. Among my favorites are the chocolate croissants and the chocolate-dipped macaroons.”
228 South Shore Road
Interviews by Deborah P. Carter, Jon Coen, Jennifer Finn, Julie Gordon, James LaForge, Jacqueline Larcara, Barbara Leap, Julia Martin, Jacqueline Mroz and R.C. Staab.
