Clayton & Clayton Real Estate Blog

With the 30th Annual New Jersey Seafood Festival taking place in Belmar, NJ on May 15th to 16th, this is the perfect chance to take a look at the borough that hosts the festival.

Belmar is located in Monmouth county, with its east coast found along the Atlantic Ocean. Avon-by-the-Sea can be found to the North, and Spring Lake is located directly south. This beachside community is known for its fishing, water sports, family-friendly beaches, and beautiful sunsets. Belmar real estate features a mix of upscale single-family Victorian homes and luxury condos. The town has built a reputation as a destination that's more quaint and laid back than your typical Jersey Shore beach, making it an attractive option for buyers searching the Jersey Shore real estate market.

History

Belmar is a historic vacation town founded in 1872 as part of the Ocean Beach borough. A group of investors built the waterfront community with the goal of having a summer destination for fishing, while fighting off the hot summer weather thanks to the moderate temperatures afforded by seaside living. In 1890, the town was renamed to the Borough of Belmar. "Belmar" is French for "beautiful sea," and the oceanside borough lives up to its name.

This charming town has always been a popular tourist destination, dating back to its inception, thanks to its proximity to New York City and Philadelphia. The first hotel in Belmar was built in 1873, and by 1890, the town had grown to host over 17 hotels. Throughout the 20th century, the town grew into one of the foremost beach destinations on the East Coast, building its reputation as a prime fishing spot. The town is now a hot spot for shops, restaurants, artists, water sports, and many popular festivals.

Interested in buying, renting, or selling Belmar, NJ real estate? Get in touch with us today! Contact Shawn Clayton online or call 732-295-2222 to speak with a Belmar real estate specialist.

Belmar Beach

Belmar's family-friendly beach has frequently been ranked as one of the top beaches in New Jersey. The community puts a large importance on keeping the beaches clean and safe for everyone. The boardwalk was recently completely renovated with a splinter-free composite material, making it perfect for walking, jogging, sight-seeing, and people-watching! The beach is lined with playgrounds every few blocks that make for perfect entertainment for kids. Thoughtful modern upgrades like water bottle filling stations, accessible ramps, and cell phone charging stations on every block make the beach an enjoyable environment for everyone.

Fun In the Sun

Belmar is perfect for sunbathing, surfing, swimming, and fishing. Belmar is one of the prime surfing destinations on the East Coast, hosting the annual Belmar Pro Surf Contest and a variety of other surf competitions. There are several local companies that specialize in providing surf and parasailing lessons for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Belmar also harbors a large publicly accessible marina where you can dock your boat only half a mile away from the ocean. Don't worry if you don't have your own boat. There are plenty of friendly party and charter fishing boats for hire that will take you out for a day on the water!

Locally Grown

While you're in town, make sure to hit up some local food hot spots. After a long day on the beach, you'll want to cool off with the locally famous Strollo's Italian Ice. For dinner, check out the local, family-owned Italian eatery, Federico's Pizza and Restaurant. You can't go wrong with any pizza on the menu.

Let's finish off with a fun fact: Belmar's north-south streets are all lettered. Why is this interesting? Before they made it big, Bruce Springsteen's band used to practice in the home of their original keyboardist, David Sancious, who lived in Belmar. Sancious lived on E Street, which eventually became the namesake of Springsteen's famous "E Street Band."

If you'd like to learn more about making a home in Belmar, NJ, we encourage you to contact Shawn Clayton online or call 732-295-2222 to connect with an experienced Belmar real estate specialist.