Beach badges for the holidays? Get a head start on summer fun

Do this week's above-normal temperatures have you dreaming of sun-kissed summer days sitting on the beach, with your toes in the sand? In New Jersey, of course, you'll need a beach badge to access the sand almost everywhere, but savvy badge buyers know that the holiday season is a great time to get beach tags — often at a discount.

And for an additional fee, some towns even include a gift box for those who want to give a season badge as a beach-themed present. Here's a list of some of the towns in Monmouth and Ocean counties having holiday badge sales:

Monmouth County

ASBURY PARK: The city has not yet announced its beach fees for the 2022 season; they're expected to be released in the spring. But Asbury Park is selling "beach pass gift certificates" for the holidays; certificates are available for the amount of 2021 season beach fees, which were $70 for adults; $20 for seniors, 62 and older, with ID, and $20 for teens, ages 13 to 17.

Certificates can be redeemed for 2022 season passes when beach badges go onsale in May. Buy certificates at City Hall, 1 Municipal Plaza (see receptionist), from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Dec. 23. Check or credit card only, no cash. Call 732-775-2100 for more information.

AVON: Season beach badges are on sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday until Dec. 22, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Dec. 23, at the municipal building, 301 Main St. Cost is $100 for adults, $55 for seniors, 65 and older, and $55 for young adults, 12 to 18. Check or cash only.

BELMAR: Badges are on sale at Borough Hall, 601 Main St., Mondays to Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Season badges are $70 for adults and $30 for seniors over 65 with ID.

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BRADLEY BEACH: Season beach badges for 2022 are available at the Carmen A. Biase Community Center, 719 Main St., through Dec. 30. Cost is $60 for adults ($20 off the regular $80 price). Cash or check sales or pick-up of badges ordered through the borough's Viply app (www.viplypass.com/bradley-beach-badges/) will be available from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

There will be special evening hours from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15. Checks should be made payable to the Borough of Bradley Beach and proper ID will be required for all checks. No in-person sales on Dec. 24, 27 or 31.

Questions? Email beachmanager@bradleybeachnj.gov.

LONG BRANCH: Season beach badges are onsale through Jan. 31 at the Recreation Department Office, 231 Wilbur Ray Ave., and the Tax Collector's Office at City Hall, 344 Broadway (masks must be worn) Cost is $40 for adults, 18 to 61 years old, and $25 for students, ages 14 to 17.

Cash is accepted at both locations; credit cards are accepted at the recreation office. The recreation office will also be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12.

MANASQUAN: Season badges are on sale and must be ordered through the borough's Community Pass platform, which can be found on Manasquan's website, www.manasquan-nj.gov. Cost is $85 for adults, ages 17 to 64; $30 for seniors, ages 65 and up, $40 for juniors, ages 12 to 16, and half-price for people with disabilities.

Pre-purchased badges can be picked up at the Manasquan Beach Office, 205 Beachfront (next to Gee Gee’s), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Dec. 23, and one complimentary Christmas card is available per badge. Beach staff can be reached at 732-223-2514 during these dates and times.

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MONMOUTH BEACH: Season badges on sale for $85 for those 12 and over; parking passes are $55. A Community Pass account is necessary to purchase; go to www.monmouthbeach.org and click on "Bathing Pavilion" to create an account. Pre-purchased badges can be picked up through Dec. 22 at the municipal building, 18 Willow Ave.

OCEAN GROVE: The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which operates the beach, is selling 2022 season badges at a special holiday rate of $85 through Dec. 30; youth and senior badges are $50. Badges can be purchased through the Viply app, online, by mailing a check or by going to the camp meeting office, 54 Pitman Ave.

The office is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, and 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. For questions or help with Viply, e-mail support@viplypass.com or call 732-800-1771.

SEA BRIGHT: Half-price beach badges are available for $50 through Dec. 31. Badges can be purchased online and will also be sold in-person at the beach office, 1097 Ocean Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 20 and noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 22. Pre-ordered badges can also be picked up on those dates and times. Call 732-351-4700 for information.

SEA GIRT: The borough's holiday season badge sale continues for another week. Season badges must be ordered by Dec. 15 for shipping; badges that are being picked up must be ordered by Dec. 21, and can be picked up at Borough Hall, 321 Baltimore Boulevard, until Dec. 22, the last day for in-person pick-ups.

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Cost is $110 for adults and $65 for seniors, 65 and older. There is a $2 cost for a gift box. Badges can be ordered online at www.seagirtbadges.com.

Allow one day after you place your order to pick up badges. For more information, call 732-449-9433.

SPRING LAKE: Season beach badges are onsale and can be picked up through Dec. 22 (pick-ups will then resume March 1). Cost is $110 for adults 12 and older and $80 for seniors, 65 and up. All purchases must be made through the Spring Lake Community Pass. An email will be sent once the badges are ready to be picked up.

Badge pick-up will be at Borough Hall, 423 Warren Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ocean County

BARNEGAT LIGHT: A holiday badge sale is ongoing through the end of December. Badges can be bought in person at Borough Hall, 10 East 7th St., or a check can be mailed to the municipal building and badges can be picked up later. Badges are not mailed. Cost is $30.

BEACH HAVEN: Season badges are $30 during the borough's holiday sale. Badges can be purchased at the clerk's office at Borough Hall, 300 Engleside Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Badges can also be bought by mail or online using the links on the borough's website (beachhaven-nj.gov/). Gift boxes are available for $2.

HARVEY CEDARS: A limited number of season badges are available for $35 each during a special holiday sale; a gift box is $1 extra. Badges must be picked up at borough hall, 7606 Long Beach Boulevard, and will not be mailed. To order, fill out the form on the borough's website, www.harveycedars.org.

LAVALLETTE: A holiday season badge sale will be held through Dec. 23. Badges are available for $50 for adults and $20 for seniors, and will be sold from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Administration Office in Borough Hall, 1306 Grand Central Ave. Borough flags and blankets are also available for sale.

LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP: Season badges are $35 for adults, $5 for seniors over 65 with proof of age. Badges are available through Dec. 31, while supplies last, Monday through Saturday, at the 68th Street Beach Badge Office in Brant Beach. Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Closed Christmas Day. For questions, contact the Beach Badge Office, 609-361-6675.

POINT PLEASANT BEACH/JENKINSON'S: Privately owned Jenkinson's beach is the largest in Point Pleasant. Jenkinson's is having a holiday sale on gift cards that are good for the beach, rides and other attractions. Sale lasts through Dec. 31; visit jenkinsons.com for details.

SEASIDE HEIGHTS: Season badges are $45 if purchased on or before May 15 (they're $60 after that date). Senior badges — for adults over 65 — are $15, or $25 for two. Order badges through the Viply app (www.viplypass.com and search for Seaside Heights), and can be picked up at the municipal building, 901 Boulevard, during regular business hours. For questions, call 732-793-9100.

SEASIDE PARK: Customized holiday beach badge certificates can be purchased online and will be emailed to the recipient or can be printed out and given as a gift. Cost is $55 for adult 2022 season badges and $20 for senior badges, for those 65 and older; badges are available through Dec. 31. In-person sales and badge pick-ups will take place at Beach Control Headquarters, on the boardwalk between N and O streets, on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19.

Go to www.seasideparknj.org for more information, or email beachcontrol@seasideparknj.org. For online ordering help, call 732-793-3700 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

SHIP BOTTOM: Badges are $37 and can be purchased with a check, money order or cash. Badges are available at Borough Hall, 1621 Long Beach Boulevard, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

SURF CITY: Season badges are available for $37, while supplies last. Call 609-494-3064 for more information.

Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for nearly 37 years. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Beach badges for the holidays? Towns say tags make great gifts