Best of the Shore
Somers Point
With its waterfront entirely on the bay, the small town of Somers Point features boating and fishing—and lots of nightlife along Bay Avenue for thirsty residents of alcohol-free Ocean City. As for staying a while, the mainland location keeps real estate prices more affordable, but homes are smaller here; suburban ranch styles abound. “We haven’t had the big face-lift,” says Paul Rixon, of Rixon Realty. Even so, prices are inching upward. “The homes are so expensive in Longport and Ocean City,” says Rixon, “that young families have been selling their homes there, buying smaller homes here, and banking the rest of the money.”
Best of Somers Point
Live music on the water: Bubba Mac Shack. They serve up barbecue and Cajun fare — and blues — all night long; on Sundays, gospel music enlivens a down-home Sunday brunch (520 Bay Avenue; 609-926-7575).
Restaurant with a View: Sails. This white-on-white restaurant with contemporary fare (and very nautical navy-blue trimmings) is reliably great, with an extensive wine list and a double-decker bayside deck (998 Bay Avenue; 609-926-9611).
Wings: Charlie’s Bar. The classic Buffalo-stylers come in two degrees of heat — and there are $1.50 happy-hour drafts. Don’t miss the Monday night 25¢ wing special (800 Shore Road; 609-927-3663).
Pork Sandwich: Anchorage. Have one with a shot and a beer — it’s that kind of place, and open until 2 a.m. The burgers earn praise, too (823 Bay Avenue; 609-926-1794).
Seafood: Crab Trap. Order the specialty, crab imperial, while soaking up the view from the Bay Room. Looking for something more casual? Try the restaurant’s on-the-bay tiki bar for crabcake sandwiches and outdoor seating (2 Broadway; 609-927-7377).
Personal best: “When you’re in the mood for the lazy-Saturday-morning thing, you gotta get fresh sticky buns from Chester’s in Somers Point [506 New Road; 609-927-6760].” —Joel Peterson, president, Ravenswood Winery
Bed & beach
Average 2004 home price: $215,799
AVERAGE 1999 HOME PRICE: $120,112
Recent listing: A two-bedroom, two-bath new construction with water views, $374,900.
Cost to rent a three-bedroom bayfront house: $12,000 for the year.
Where to stay: The B&B attached to Tucker’s Steak and Seafood House. With gourmet dining and fantastic views of the bay from the rooms, this Victorian mansion makes for a nicer couple’s getaway than you might guess by the name (800 Bay Avenue, 609-927-3100; tuckerssomerspointnj.com).
On the beach: There’s a small beach off Bay Avenue, but for the most part the bay is reserved for fishing, boat rentals, and restaurants right on the water.
Down Beach: Longport, Margate, Ventnor, South of Atlantic City.
This trio of Shore towns — each only about a mile long, with upscale restaurants, unique shops and million-dollar mansions — makes for some of the fastest-rising real estate in Jersey.
