This beach is nice, but be aware that the tide can rise quite high and wash away your belongings. Additionally, there are times when there is no lifeguard on duty, and people are swimming far out in the ocean with sharks nearby.
I go down to the shore probably once per summer, just because it's a bit of a trek for me from North Jersey. When I do go, I usually look for a beach more north so that I'm not driving for 2 hours each way. I haven't really found a go-to beach, but I think I finally found it this year! I really enjoyed Sandy Hook. It doesn't have a boardwalk, which I don't mind - so if you're looking for boardwalk/bar/restaurant vibes, this is not it. But if you're looking for a quiet, family day at the beach, then this spot is great. You don't need a beach pass per person (which I hate paying) but parking is $20 per day. Better than the anxiety of having to look for street parking somewhere. They have a few lots, but I've read several reviews that they get full if you get there after 8:30 to 9. We got there at around 8 on a Saturday, so we were good.
They have bathrooms (pretty clean for a beach) and showers (8 of them!). I love a good rinse after the beach so that I'm not sitting in my car with a bathing suit full of sand. There was one food truck that day but they were selling acai bowls, so definitely bring your own food and lots of snacks. Waves were rough that day and there were a lot of surfers, but there had just been some thunderstorms the night before, so that probably played a factor.
Can't wait to go back next year!