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Polaroid of the Week: Breathtaking Sunset at Sandy Hook Peninsula, New Jersey

Polaroid of the Week: Breathtaking Sunset at Sandy Hook Peninsula, New JerseyAfter returning to New York City from Canada, I escaped for essential beach time along the Jersey shore. Shaped by the Jersey Shore TV show, my expectations were upended by Sandy Hook's miles of pristine, unspoiled sandy beaches. This narrow peninsula, flanked by the Atlantic Ocean eastward and Lower New York Bay westward, measures just 6 miles (9.7 km) long and 0.1 to 1 mile (0.16 to 1.61 km) wide—perfect for bike exploration, which we embraced fully.

We pedaled through salt marshes, broad beaches, rocky shores, a holly forest, and historic landmarks like the U.S.'s oldest operating lighthouse. The impeccably maintained bike trail spans the peninsula's length, ideal for cycling or hiking. Or simply stake out a beach spot, spread your towel, and revel in ocean waves and calling seagulls. Most beaches stood empty, though they surely throng in July and August.

Our day culminated at the northern tip's historic Fort Hancock district, preserving late-19th-century gun batteries and military structures. We timed it perfectly for a mesmerizing sunset, vowing a swift return to New Jersey's untouched shores.

Watch for more beach day photos—it's a breeze from NYC with a direct 40-minute ferry from Manhattan landing right at the beach!

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