Welcome to Bay Head
A charming beachside community with beautiful views and private residences
A charming beach community along New Jersey’s Gold Coast, Bay Head is a small community borough of Ocean County featuring custom-built estates, quaint cottages, and single-family residences minutes from the beach. Located on the Barrier Island, a more than 20-mile stretch of coastline, Bay Head is known for its collection of historic Queen Anne, Shingle Style, and Stick Style structures and is home to the largest historic district in all of New Jersey. A great place to live for all ages, Bay Head offers peaceful living in a charming, picturesque neighborhood by the sea.
What to Love
- Private, white sandy beaches and sparkling ocean views
- Welcoming community with dozens of family-friendly shops and events throughout the year
- The excellent, highly-rated school system
Local Lifestyle
Bursting with family-friendly activities and plenty of things to do year-round, residents of Bay Head are never bored. Rooted in community engagement and cultural activities, Bay Head residents are dedicated to improving their small borough and bringing life to the shores of New Jersey. From community clubs and organizations, like the Bay Head Life Beach Walkers club, Twilight Lake Sunset Paddles during the evening, and year-round beach access, Bay Head is bustling with activity, yet manages to retain its slow-paced, charming attributes.
Living in Bay Head affords a higher quality of life in a small town while sparing no expense on quality, upscale living. Enjoy endless hours at the shore, shop the eclectic, family-owned boutiques, and indulge in award-winning restaurants — Bay Head has it all!
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
For “delectable fare you never want to put down,” take a trip to Bay Head Cheese Shop on Bridge Avenue for some of the tastiest cheese selections around. The premier destination for imported cheese and wine, Bay Head Cheese Shop is an entire experience: come for the food, but stay for the endless browsing along stocked shelves and great conversations with the staff. Mentioned on the 2017 “Local Heroes List” by Edible New Jersey, Bay Head Cheese Shop features an incredible (and mouthwatering) assortment of cheeses, dips, crackers, and fruit spreads from all over the world and hosts special wine and cheese tastings every Saturday for guests to uncover a new favorite flavor.
Located along Twilight Lake, Mueller’s Bakery offers fresh, homemade baked goods and is known throughout the state for its impeccable crumb cake. They use the best ingredients and offer dozens of choices: from danishes, doughnuts, and cookies, to fresh bread and bagels, you can find something to satisfy every craving at Mueller’s. Just don’t leave without a fresh cup of coffee to complement your sweet or savory selection!
40 years of passion, persistence, and exceptional food have made Dune Grass Cafe the premier beach town destination for hungry travelers and community residents. Craving pancakes? You’ll find the perfect flapjacks at Dune Grass! Looking for a service that treats you like one of the family? Dune Grass is known throughout the county for its welcoming and accommodating service and attitude. Try their seasonal creations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and don’t forget to save room for an ice cream from the parlor!
The longest operating gift shop on the East Coast, the Jolly Tar Shop brings pure happiness to each guest who visits. Whether it’s the eclectic artwork for sale or the pleasant personalities of owner Evalyn Shippee and her team, Jolly Tar is a can’t-miss New Jersey experience. Deeply rooted in the community, Evalyn has brought decades of love and kindness to Bay Head and continues to give back to the community every year through the business and historical efforts of the town. A trip for everyone, The Jolly Tar is “everything a good store should be.”
Things to Do
Held annually at Twilight Lake, the Glimmer of Hope Lantern Event brings the Bay Head community together to celebrate art and provide a quiet time of reflection along the water. Attendees purchase a floating paper lantern and attach their dreams, wishes, or prayers to the outside before allowing it to cascade through the waters of the lake. This inspiring event benefits the art students of Bay Head Elementary.
The Bay Head Yacht Club was established in 1888 and attracts dedicated members to enjoy yachting, tennis, and other leisurely sporting activities right along the Atlantic Ocean. With an elegant dining room for social gatherings, the yacht club is the top destination for private parties and gatherings in Bay Head.
A Bay Head Tradition, the annual Christmas Walk brings joy to the community by connecting with the holiday spirit. Enjoy the tree lighting ceremony followed by a fire truck visit with Santa and a short ballet performance by the Bay Head Ballet Studio. The Christmas Walk also brings a chorus of holiday music to the cozy streets of the neighborhood with a cantata of singers and a bell choir and all of the shops in the downtown district remain open late to shop for holiday gifts. The Bay Head 5K Memory Run and After Party has brought over 1,000 runners together for 17 years in memory of community members Ray and Kate Shea. The race occurs every February and begins with a 5K at 8:30 AM followed by a community-wide party in Point Pleasant that lasts all afternoon.
Schools
Students in Bay Head have their own, highly rated elementary/middle school, then filter into the excellent Point Pleasant Beach High School after 8th grade.
