NJ beaches

NJ.com has done a ranking of New Jersey's 44 beaches. While Monmouth and Ocean fared ok, I have some things to say about the rundown.

In most coastal New Jersey municipalities, you can't step on the sand without paying a fee.

Almost a half a million pieces of trash were picked up at the Jersey Shore last year.

The closed beaches were all along the Toms River in Ocean County: Beachwood Beach West in Beachwood, Summit Beach in Island Heights, and West Beach at Avon Road in Pine Beach.

Want to know if parking is free? Need the option to grab a bite to eat? Do you refuse to pay for a beach badge? Use this new interactive map.

Shark sightings off the New Jersey coastline have forced swimmers out of the water more than once already this summer, North Carolina's coast has been plagued by several shark attacks since June, and to top it off, it's Shark Week on the Discovery Channel.

The weather may not fully cooperate until Sunday, but just in case, plan ahead this weekend by spending time on Jersey's best beach!

The Battle of the Beaches is back with another chance to vote for your favorite places to hit the sand!
Find out who won 'Best Beach for Parking' and vote in this week's battle!

Your votes continue to come in to find the winner in the Battle of the Beaches!
So which beach has the best scenery?