The Jersey Shore is the coastal region of the state of New Jersey. Geographically, the term encompasses about 141 miles (227 km) of oceanfront from Perth Amboy in the north to Cape May Point in the south. The Jersey Shore area includes Middlesex, Monmouth, Atlantic County, Cape May, and Ocean counties. While there is no defined border between North Jersey and South Jersey, the Raritan River, Manasquan River or I-195 are often mentioned as the border, with most of the shore region being located in South Jersey. Many New Jersey residents refer to it as "The Shore." A common phrase within New Jersey is to go "down the shore", or to have done something "down the shore".
Famous for its many boardwalks with arcades, water parks, and amusement parks boasting hundreds of rides and attractions, the Jersey Shore is a popular vacation spot for New Jerseyans, New Yorkers, and Pennsylvanians, and various other states in the Middle Atlantic portion of the United States. Certain communities are also popular with visitors from the nearby states of Virginia and Maryland.
The Jersey Shore is lined with over 40 communities, each with a different character and flavor. Some cater to summer tourists and visitors, others are completely full-year residential communities, others still are a mix of both. Below are some of the most notable shore points.