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#6 Best Beach in New Jersey USA Today ↗ NJ's Best Small Town to Retire Stacker ↗ #7 Best Place to Live in Ocean County Niche ↗

The Surf City Local’s Playbook

We aren’t the borough office. We’re just a group of Surf City residents who know exactly where the best tacos are, which streets have the easiest parking, and how to make the most of every tide. Consider this your unofficial guide to doing LBI the right way.

Beach chairs on the sand in Surf City NJ

Surf City Beaches

Daily badges are $11, weekly badges are $25, and seasonal badges are $45 through May 31 at 4:30 PM or $55 after. Required ages 12-64 whenever lifeguards and badge checkers are on duty, 10 AM to 5 PM in season.

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Wally's restaurant in Surf City at night

Drinks & Dining

The Boulevard through Surf City has the densest year-round restaurant concentration on LBI. We cover what's worth sitting down for, what's good for a quick lunch on the way back from the beach, and what's changed recently.

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Long Beach Boulevard through Surf City NJ

Local Arts & Attractions

The Surf City 5&10 has been on the Boulevard since 1952 and is now in its third generation. MT Burton Gallery and SwellColors anchor a walkable arts scene that no other LBI town has. The bay side of the island is a different world from the ocean side.

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Surf City Hotel on Long Beach Boulevard

Surf City Rentals & Hotels

From classic hotels and inns to weekly rentals close to the beach, Surf City gives you the middle-of-the-island base that makes the rest of LBI easy to reach.

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About the Borough of Surf City, NJ

Surf City is the heartbeat of Long Beach Island. Originally settled as ‘Long Beach City’ in the late 1800s, our community’s LBI roots run deep, evolving from a historic destination for adventurous travelers into the island’s premier walkable hub. Located at one of the island’s narrowest points, Surf City offers a unique geography where history meets the modern shore—where the Atlantic surf and Barnegat Bay sunsets are just a short stroll apart. Bordered by the quiet dunes of North Beach and the energy of Ship Bottom, we sit at the center of it all. Whether you’re here for the world-class family beaches or the local shops along the Boulevard, this is the authentic Jersey Shore experience you’ll keep coming back for.

1940 Charles Edgar Nash map of Long Beach Island showing the historic roots of Surf City.

Map of the Romantic Island of Long Beach (1940) by Charles Edgar Nash. Courtesy of the David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries.

“It’s been called Surf City since 1899. This local guide has been here a lot less time. But we’re catching up.”

The Surf City NJ Insider

Your source for the latest Surf City restaurant openings, beach conditions, and local events on Long Beach Island. From seasonal guides to hidden gems, we give you a resident’s perspective on everything you need to know about LBI.

Sand dunes in Surf City, NJ

The LBI Beach Guide

Everything you need before you hit the sand — badge requirements, best beach entrances by block, and which spots have the best break for your crew.

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The Surf City water tower on Long Beach Island

Best Restaurants in Surf City

From beachside quick bites to sit-down spots worth a reservation. Our resident picks for where to eat on LBI — and what's opened or closed this season.

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Surf City at a Glance

01
Geography

Ocean to Bay
in Minutes

Surf City sits at one of the narrowest points on Long Beach Island, where you can walk from the Atlantic surf to the Barnegat Bay sunsets in under five minutes.

02
Shopping & Dining

The LBI
Shopping Hub

Our section of Long Beach Boulevard is the most walkable district on the island, packed with historic shops, local galleries, and year-round dining.

03
Access

Easiest
LBI Access

Located immediately at the end of the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridge (The Causeway), Surf City is the first stop for most visitors and the easiest town to reach from the mainland.

SURF CITY WEATHER