Spring Lake, New Jersey

How long I’ve dreamt of owning a summer house by the ocean, hearing the waves crash and feeling its breeze. This year, we finally found our summer sanctuary in Spring Lake, NJ. Our family loves this small beach community where we were welcomed with open arms and warm friendly smiles. From complete strangers to familiar faces, this place could be one of the most inclusive towns ever.

Spring Lake spans only 1.75 square miles, but the beach stretches serene and pristine for miles. You must have a beach pass and there is no food or drink allowed on the sand. The beach is lined by a two mile boardwalk which is bookended by two beach pavilions, complete with bathrooms and snack bars. Spring Lake itself is a vision. The lake is beautiful with it’s glass-like water, floating geese, arched bridge walkways, inset playground and even picturesque lily pads floating in just the perfect spots. 

The homes are so beautifully well kept and share common victorian architecture, where porches are a must. The bigger the porch the better. It’s a porch lifestyle for sure! The lawns are stunning and hydrangea are in bloom everywhere you look in the summer. Sometimes I feel like it’s not real, it’s just a pretend Mayberry style town, but it’s real!

Downtown Spring Lake has come a long way! While it spans only 4 blocks, it is home to a diverse well curated collection of stores and restaurants. The best coffee and vibes can be found at @driftwood_coffee_house and @coffee.at.noon. There are some really great clothing stores such as @shopwarmsl, @Waterlilyshop, @DuneandSalt and @FahertyBrand! You can find exquisite jewelry at @JemmaLuluDesigns. Home goods and gifts are waiting to be discovered at @Terraearthandsurf and @ArtisanSpiritnj. Try @springlakeseafood for a delicious sit down fresh seafood meal, @TomBaileysmarket for the perfect beach day foods, and @theSconePony for a guilty pleasure!

I’ve never seen sunsets so pink or so bright. Although the sun does not set over the ocean (since Spring Lake is on the east coast), watching the sun set over the lakes is majestic. A quick bike ride to any lake in town will give you a gorgeous view of the sunset, like it was there just for you. I don’t recall witnessing a more beautiful sunset since our visit to Santorini, where they last forever. But I’ll save that beach report for another day. 

We were sad to bid adieu to our summer shangri-la, but are so excited for our new beach home in Delray Beach, Florida....stay tuned for the inside scoop on our new beach playground.