North Coast

BELMAR: It's old and tatty, but cheap beachniks may love the oceanfront Mayfair Hotel (Ocean and 10th avenues, 732-681-2620; from $80). Guests get dove-shaped cookies and lake views at the Morning Dove Inn B&B (204 Fifth Ave., 732-556-0777, http://www.morningdoveinn.com; from $175), whose eight rooms feature free WiFi.

SPRING LAKE: In this ritzy enclave, you can spend a fortune at such high-end hotels as the Breakers (1507 Ocean Ave., 732-449-7700, http://www.breakershotel.com; from $220) or the Chateau Inn & Suites (500 Warren Ave., 732-974-2000, http://www.chateauinn.com; from $199). Ditto the bevy of B&Bs, including the White Lilac Inn (414 Central Ave., 732-449-0211, http://www.whitelilac.com; from $179).

The Atlantic House (305 Second Ave., 732-449-8500, http://www.atlantic-house.com) is a creaky but charming 1912-era motel with rates from $45 a night single. And although Doolan's (700 State Hwy. 71, 732-449-3666, http://www.doolans.com; from $85) is a trek from the beach, its simple but spacious rooms represent a real bargain.

SEA GIRT: You'll be tempted to stay by the pool at the Beacon House (100 and 104 Beacon Blvd., 866-255-0005, http://www.beaconhouseinn.com; from $215). But don't forget about the B&B's 21 tastefully decorated rooms, manicured grounds and Kodi, the resident chow.

MANASQUAN: Help yourself to the stocked pantry at the Inn on Main (152 Main St., 732-528-0809, http://www.innonmainmanasquan.com; from $179), a boutique hotel whose 12 rooms feature pillow-top mattresses.

POINT PLEASANT BEACH: Good options include the beachfront Windswept Motel (1008 Ocean Ave., 732-899-1282, http://www.windsweptmotel.net; from $163), where many of the 46 rooms have an ocean view. The 40 rooms at Amethyst's Beach Motel (202 Arnold Ave., 732-899-3600, http://www.njbeach.com; from $159), near the boardwalk, include fridges and microwaves. Farther from the tumult is the Shore Point Motel (205 Broadway, 732-892-7075, http://www.theshorepointmotel.com; from $109), with standard rooms and efficiency apartments.

BAY HEAD: The 1890-era Grenville Hotel (345 Main Ave., 732-892-3100, http://www.thegrenville.com; from $159) features 29 plush rooms with private baths and coffee makers a block from the beach.

SEASIDE HEIGHTS/PARK: Picks include the Seaside Colony Motel (65 Hiering Ave., Seaside Heights, 732-830-2113, http://www.seasidecolonymotel.com; from $99), 20 basic rooms with microwaves and fridges a block from the northern end of the boardwalk; the Luna-Mar (Ocean Avenue and L Street, Seaside Park, 877-586-2627, http://www.lunamarmotel.com; from $148), a two-story beachfront property where you can pick from 24 hotel units, efficiencies and apartments; and the 72-room Island Beach Motor Lodge (24th and Central avenues, South Seaside Park, 732-793-5400; from $95), with a pool and in-room fridges.

PLACES TO EAT

ASBURY PARK: The area surrounding Cookman Avenue has numerous dining options, including Moonstruck (517 Lake Ave., 732-988-0123) and its Mediterranean-tinged menu.

AVON-BY-THE-SEA: Sit on the porch at The Columns (601 Ocean Ave., 732-988-3213) and dig into surf, turf and everything in between; specials include Lobster Night (Thursdays, from $14.95). Make the wurst of it at the German-infused Schneider's (801 Main St., 732-775-1265). The bratwurst platter includes sausages, red cabbage and potato salad ($10.50).

BELMAR: Klein's (Main Street and River Road, 732-681-1177) is perched on the Shark River; expect good service and decent food at a reasonable price. Seafood platters start at $12.95. Chef Anthony Wall's Matisse (13th and Ocean avenues, 732-681-7680) takes it up a notch: Dishes at the swanky oceanside restaurant include Angus rib-eye ($32.99).

SPRING LAKE: The line may be long at Hoffman's Ice Cream (569 Church St., 732-974-2253), but queue up. Choose from such flavors as cotton candy, or opt for a cone ($2.40) of its great frozen custard.

SEA GIRT: The Parker House (First Avenue and Beacon Boulevard, 732-449-0442) has it all: a restaurant with reasonably priced grub including salads and a $19.95 Friday special (a 24-ounce porterhouse with all the fixin's), a porch bar and a nightclub.

MANASQUAN: The Squan Tavern (15 Broad St., 732-223-3324) is a landmark serving up Italian just the way Grandma used to make it, including veal cacciatore ($19) and tortellini in red pepper sauce ($15).

POINT PLEASANT BEACH: The raucous Frankie's Bar and Grill (414 Richmond Ave., 732-892-6000) makes the town's boardwalk seem sedate. Try the killer onion rings ($3.95) and the South Jersey burger ($7.25), a beef patty topped with pork roll. Peppy service and big portions distinguish the harborfront Shrimp Box (75 Inlet Dr., 732-899-1637), offering standards as shrimp scampi ($19). For a great al fresco breakfast, check out the Beach Cafe (300 Broadway, 732-899-8966), where omelets for two and coffee run less than $15.

LAVALETTE: You're part of the production at the Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe (2305 Grand Central Ave., 732-854-2779), where waiters entertain while you down sugar. Sundaes from $5. There's less singin', more grillin' at the Bayside Cafe (607 Bay Blvd., 732-830-8804), where breakfast is served "all day until 5 p.m." and burgers start at $4.75.

SEASIDE HEIGHTS/PARK: Ebby's Cafe (2012 Central Ave., Seaside Park, 732-830-4775) has a deli for food-on-the-go and an outdoor cafe for sit-down fare such as mussels marinara ($9.95) and linguini and clams ($16.95). Breakfast is served at a counter or at booths under a rack of fishing rods at Betty and Nick's Luncheonette (807 W. Central Ave., Seaside Park, 732-830-9415); eggs and bacon for two with coffee is about $15. See the bay and ocean from the second-floor dining room of Berkeley Seafood (24th and Central avenues, South Seaside Park, 732-793-0400); try the homemade shrimp salad wrap ($8.99).