The weather here in Santa Barbara has been brilliant the past week – I’ve spent many days at the beach, including yesterday afternoon. I’m going on a hike today – somewhere – and it feels good that summer is still very much alive here in Southern California.

But let’s backtrack a tick, back to the east coast, back to Ocean City, New Jersey, the beach I spent every summer at as a child.

It’s where it all started – the passion for the sea and the sun. I have to admit that, even if now I find it hard to connect – it’s all families and kids and the restaurants are average (although they do have good snack and treat places, see below) and it’s a dry town (no booze is sold, although there is a push to change that).

Man, that sounds like I’m throwing mud, yet it’s the truth. This is no hip town – it’s purely a place for families – but if you find yourself there, want to take your girlfriend on a nice day date, or you have six kids, there are a few cool spots to check out, all on the boardwalk.

Shriver’s Salt Water Taffy. In business since 1898, Shriver’s is an icon on the OCNJ boardwalk. It’s cool to pop in and see them making the fudge and taffy. When I worked for Enterprise at the Santa Barbara Airport, a customer coming from the east coast gave me a box of Shriver’s taffy as a tip. I told him I grew up on the stuff. He said it was a coincidence. Indeed!

Johnson’s Popcorn. I’d start with the caramel flavored and go from there. I’ve never had better anywhere else, especially when they serve it to you hot! (Although it is still good for the next few days if you keep it sealed up.)

Kohr Brothers Ice Cream. Started by a school teacher in 1917 who used a gas-powered ice cream machine, the orange/vanilla combo seems to be a favorite of those who frequent OCNJ.

Mack and Manco Pizza. With three locations on the boardwalk, this pizza powerhouse is one of the most crowded establishments I’ve come across in town. They literally have three locations all within a five-ten minute walk of each other, and they could probably still fill up a forth. It’s very informal, and they only serve pizza. I had it when I was there in July, and it really reminded me of Delaware’s big pizza restaurant: Grotto’s.

Polish Water Ice. It has come to my attention that much of the nation has never heard of water ice. Oh man, the poor people who didn’t have Italian ice on a hot summer day. This Polish version is both creamy like a custard and light like traditional water ice – definitely a good ice cream alternative in the middle of a hot afternoon.

Mini Golf. The New Jersey beaches, at least in the south, take their mini gold pretty seriously. You’ll see families competing on the unique and fun courses – there are plenty of them in town (including one on just about every block on the boardwalk).