Sea Girt enforces a midnight curfew on its beaches—and that policy tells you everything about what this town values. No commercial boardwalk. No late-night beach parties. No tourist-focused development. Just pristine sand, elegant Victorian homes, and a community that decided decades ago to protect tranquility through strict zoning. The result is one of the most refined beach experiences on the Jersey Shore, attracting visitors who specifically want what Sea Girt has deliberately preserved.
The beach itself is wide, clean, and notably uncrowded compared to neighboring towns. Daily badges run $12 (season $115, seniors $70), and under 11 get in free. Free street parking means you don't pay twice for the privilege—though spaces fill early on summer weekends, so arrive before 10am in peak season. The north end near the Spring Lake border offers the quietest stretches; families and couples stake out spots there for uninterrupted reading and peaceful swimming. Lifeguards patrol through Labor Day. Beach wheelchairs are available at the beach office.
The Sea Girt Lighthouse provides the town's signature attraction. Built in 1896, it was one of the last live-in lighthouses on the Atlantic coast and became the first American lighthouse to use electric lights in 1898. The light was visible 22 miles at sea. Sunday tours let you climb the tower for panoramic views of the shore and learn about the lighthouse keepers who lived here with their families. The first transatlantic wireless message received in America came through here in 1899, when Guglielmo Marconi transmitted yacht race results. Maritime history doesn't get more significant on the Jersey Shore.
Dining options in Sea Girt are deliberately limited. The Parker House—a historic oceanfront inn dating to 1879—operates the only restaurant in town, serving classic American fare with ocean views in an elegant setting. For more variety, Spring Lake (adjacent to the north) offers The Breakers and other Victorian inn restaurants; Manasquan (one mile south) has Squan Tavern for excellent pizza and The Committed Pig for brunch. The Parker House also provides the only lodging in Sea Girt proper, with elegant rooms in a period setting.
Sea Girt works best for couples seeking romantic weekends without commercial distractions, lighthouse enthusiasts exploring maritime history, and anyone who values what strict preservation can accomplish. Spring Lake B&Bs offer additional lodging within walking distance. The Manasquan train station is about a mile away, connecting to the North Jersey Coast Line. Skip Sea Girt if you want nightlife, dining variety, or beaches with commercial amenities—that's Belmar's territory, 15 minutes north. But for the shore town that decided peace was worth protecting and enforced that decision with a midnight curfew, Sea Girt has perfected the art of quiet elegance.