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Seaside Heights

Seaside Heights is a borough with almost 3,000 residents (2019) in the New Jersey Shore region. Seaside Heights is a beach town on a barrier island that faces the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Barnegat Bay on the west. It is connected to the mainland community of Toms River via the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge (New Jersey Route 37) over the bay. Seaside Park, directly to the south on the same island, is also covered in this article.

By car

 * From New York, Northern and Southern New Jersey, travel along the Garden State Parkway until you reach Exit 82 East for Route 37. Then, take Route 37 East for 9 miles over the bridge into Seaside Heights. The trip from New York City is about 80 miles and will probably take you close to 2 hours. If you are coming from Atlantic City, you would go about 60 miles north and should expect to spend more than 1 hour on the road.
 * From Philadelphia, take the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and follow signs for New Jersey Route 70 East. Take Route 70 until its junction with Route 37 East in Lakehurst, NJ. Continue on Route 37 and follow it over the bridge into Seaside Heights. The trip is about 65 miles and takes at least 1½ hours, but allow more time in case of traffic.

During the summer months, traffic from all directions is heavy. Traffic can vary depending on the time, day and month. Listen to local radio stations, such as WOBM 1160AM, to find out information about traffic patterns, accidents, and shortcuts. Tourist traffic usually begins in late May and continues until early September.

By plane
The closest large airports to Seaside Heights are:

 * - Newark Liberty International Airport --in Newark, NJ. A major intercontinental airport near New York City, serving as a hub for United Airlines.
 * - Atlantic City International Airport -in Atlantic City, NJ. This airport is the smallest of the three and is usually is used by those within the Atlantic County area.  Casino patrons are common customers, along with vacationers during the summer months.  It provides main airlines such as Spirit Airlines, and Delta Connection COMAIR flights daily.  There are not many restaurants or shops within the airport, but Atlantic City is full of them.
 * - Philadelphia Airport -in Philadelphia PA. Philadelphia's primary airport serves as a hub for American Airlines.

By taxi
There are a number of taxi services around and within Seaside Heights, though most have offices in Toms River. Fares vary depending on the service:

By foot
The total area of Seaside Heights is 0.8 square miles. Because of this, many residents and visitors like to get their exercise by walking along the boardwalk or any other destination especially during the months of May until September.

By bike
It is common to see residents and tourists riding their bikes along the boardwalk during the summer months. Bikes are also ridden within the town to and from various destinations. Because Seaside Heights is less than a mile in total area, it is easy to get exercise and travel at the same time.

By car
When the weather begins to get a little colder and the summer is coming to an end, more and more people turn to their cars for transportation. Although Seaside Heights is not large, it is quick to reach a destination by car. Traffic can be hectic during the summer months, but it tends to slow down as September begins. Generally, parking costs $1 to $2 per hour at metered parking lots from April to October. Free parking is available year round at Grant Ave, at the town entrance, but be prepared to walk at least 4 blocks to get to the boardwalk.

By taxi
Taxi services are not really necessary during the daytime, but are usually used at night by those who take advantage of the bar scene. They are sometimes used by those who are in a real rush and do not have a car nearby.

By tramcars
This type of transportation can only be found on the boardwalk. It is a family friendly way to get around and see the boardwalk at its best.

Beach
All Seaside Heights beaches are open to the public and are at just about every block. Badges can be purchased daily and paid weekends are in effect beginning Memorial Day. Children 11 years and younger are free. $5 Seasonal Badges, $30 prior to May 14th, $35 post May 14th.

Lifeguards are available all hours that the beach is open and lifeguard towers are scattered throughout the beach. No swimming is allowed once the guards are off duty!

The surfing hotspot is at the northern end of Seaside Heights. There are natural sandbars that create some of the best waves in New Jersey.

One thing that the Jersey Shore asks of its users is to remember to keep the beaches clean!

On Thursday and Sunday evenings at the Hiering Avenue Ocean Front Stage free movies are shown on the beach. This occurs during the months of July and August. People sit on the beach with their own beach chairs or blankets. On Sunday nights, the movies are rather PG-13. No alcohol or glass are permitted to this event.

On Monday evenings at the Hiering Avenue Ocean Front stage live concerts are held. All concerts begin at 7PM. This also takes places during the months of July and August.

To the south:

Water activities
Crabbing is an activity that is fun for the whole family to enjoy. Blue crabs are native to the Bay all the way down the shoreline. Docs can be located just south of the Rt.35 bridge.

Fishing is also common in Seaside Heights. Try your luck at catching Bluefish, Fluke, Striped Bass, and Kingfish of the Casino Pier. There is a small fee for fishing and rod rentals are available. For fishing or crabbing equipment, there are many tackle stores located throughout the region. Two popular ones are The New Dolphin and Betty and Nick’s, located along Rt. 35. They are great sources of information, especially for the hotspots! Seaside Heights does not have an inlet, but if you are looking for a charter or party fishing boat, you can head seven miles north to Point Pleasant.

Buy
There is not much in the way of shopping, but little shops are also located on the boardwalk. Stores selling customized t-shirts, surf shops, and candy stores are all open from when the beach is available to the public to about 11PM.

There are many small stores along the sides of the boardwalk in Seaside Heights. Shops include, piercing parlors, beachwear outfits, t-shirt/souvenir shops as well as food/candy stores.

Sleep
There are many places to stay in Seaside Heights. Since the town is a vacation area there are many available accommodations to choose from. You could stay at a motel or rent a house for a short period of time. There are many realty/rental companies that would be able to assist you with your rental options.

title: Seaside Heights


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SeaTac

SeaTac is a city in southern King County. Its name is a portmanteau of its larger neighbors: Seattle to the north, and Tacoma to the south.

Understand
Most visitors will only visit SeaTac for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, itself nicknamed Sea-Tac – the city named itself for the airport (albeit without the hyphen in the name, a distinction that isn't very widely known). Outside of the airport and its surrounding bevy of related businesses, including the corporate HQ of Alaska Airlines, there's little to attract tourists, although business travelers may appreciate the cluster of hotels close to the airport.

By car
From Interstate 5 (I-5), take Exit 154B (SR-518) for the airport. The same interchange connects to I-405's southern end.

By bus
Some intercity bus routes traveling beyond the region stop at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, though there far more options in Seattle.

By public transit

 * Operates the region's sole light rail line, Line 1, stops at the airport. SeaTac/Airport Station also connects to a passenger pickup/dropoff just east of the airport, on the east side of International Boulevard at S. 176th St. The only parking at this station is in the airport parking garage. The line travels north through Tukwila to Seattle, reaching Downtown Seattle in just over half an hour. The fare varies by distance traveled, topping out at $3.25.
 * Operates the region's sole light rail line, Line 1, stops at the airport. SeaTac/Airport Station also connects to a passenger pickup/dropoff just east of the airport, on the east side of International Boulevard at S. 176th St. The only parking at this station is in the airport parking garage. The line travels north through Tukwila to Seattle, reaching Downtown Seattle in just over half an hour. The fare varies by distance traveled, topping out at $3.25.
 * Operates the region's sole light rail line, Line 1, stops at the airport. SeaTac/Airport Station also connects to a passenger pickup/dropoff just east of the airport, on the east side of International Boulevard at S. 176th St. The only parking at this station is in the airport parking garage. The line travels north through Tukwila to Seattle, reaching Downtown Seattle in just over half an hour. The fare varies by distance traveled, topping out at $3.25.

Sleep
There are numerous hotels & motels lined up along International Blvd (Hwy 99) through SeaTac that many travelers find better value in staying in comparison to those in Seattle. Tukwila, immediately to the north and to the east (opposite side of the freeway), also hosts several hotels and offsite airport parking. A number of them do offer free (or for a small fare) shuttle to/from the airport terminal and other nearby places (such as car rental offices):

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: SeaTac


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Sea to Sea (Yam el Yam)

Sea to Sea (Hebrew ים אל ים) is a hiking trail in Israel, running from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee. It's usually a three- or four-day trip, and a pleasant way to experience the Upper Galilee.

Prepare
It is essential to have the Israel Hiking Map Number 2. The Israel Hiking Maps are scaled 1:50000 and are very accurate. The trails are marked corresponding to the colors on the map. You can buy one at any camping store for around 100 shekels. For free, about the same information is contained in the "Israel Hiking Map" layer of the OruxMaps smartphone app. But you shouldn't rely just on this, in case your battery runs out.

The trek can be done almost any time of the year except for winter and the peak of summer. The best time is Spring. Be aware of the timing of holidays. During Passover this trek is very popular, especially for Israel's many youth movements.

Watch weather in the area a week prior to starting. Much of the trail passes along river beds that are normally dry or muddy, unless it has rained heavily recently, in which case they are not traversable.

One usually travels from west to east.

Water is not an issue; there is water at the end of every day and sometimes during the day at parks or campsites. Carry enough water for a day. Do not drink out of the rivers or springs because they could be polluted. Bring enough food for the whole trek, although it is possible to purchase some if you choose to hike through any of the towns located along, or not far off, the trail.

Get in
You can start on the Mediterranean side by one of two popular options. The first option starts from the shore at Akhziv, six km north of Nahariyya on Route 4. From here you follow Nahal Kaziv. You can reach Akhziv by bus or taxi from Nahariyya. The second option is to start the trek 20 km east and take a taxi or bus from Nahariyya to start somewhere on Nahal Kaziv. A good place is Goren where there is a picnic area. This second option allows for a shorter trip.

Tradition
It is tradition to take a small bottle of water from one sea and dump it into the other. Another tradition is to dunk your head, or go swimming, in each sea.

Day 1: to  22 km
From the shore of Akziv follow. The trail will be unmarked but you will know you are hiking on Kaziv because it is the only Nahal (riverbed) starting from the shore of Akziv. When Nahal Kaziv intersects Route 70 there will be a trail marked green. This trail follows Nahal Kaziv. Continue until you reach Ein Zev. From Ein Zev you can hike into Ma’alot and sleep in a hostel or hike northeast of Ein Zev and camp in the national park there. Be aware that there is no water at the national park. There is water available 1 km south in the settlement of Abririm.

Day 2: Ma’alot to 17 km
From Ma’alot the trail for Nahal Kaziv picks up again on the eastern side of the town at Ein Tabat. If you stayed at the national park you will need to follow the road from Abririm for about 5 km through the town of Elkosh. At the intersection of Routes 89 and 8944, about a kilometer south of Elkosh, the trail on Nahal Kaziv starts again. There is a gap in the trail following Nahal Kaziv from Ein Zev to Ein Tabat because that section of the Nahal is a wildlife sanctuary.

Continue following Kaziv until it forks at the intersection of an unmarked road. Follow the eastern trail. This is Nahal Neriya. Nahal Neriya will take you to the base of Mount Meron. At this point, there is a campsite under the jurisdiction of the Nature and Parks Authority.

Day 3: Mount Meron to approximately 20 km
From this point on you will be following the Israel National Trail.

Start the day with a short, intense climb to the top of Mount Meron. Meron is the second highest peak in Israel. On a clear day you can see all the way to Lebanon.

After hiking up and over Meron you will be on Nahal Meron which quickly connects to.

Once on Nahal Amud you can decide if you want to walk up the ridge into the city of Safed to spend the night, or continue down Nahal Amud for another few kilometers and stay in one of the two campsites on the eastern side of the Nahal.

Day 4: Safed to approximately 20 km
Follow Nahal Amud until you reach the Sea of Galilee. This section of the trail running along Nahal Amud is very steep and dangerous. Be careful and take it slow. You will pass some ruins of pump stations built by the British before Israel was a state.

At the end of Nahal Amud the Israel National Trail will continue to Migdal. When you enter into a banana grove, stop following the Israel National Trail and walk to the east. You will see the Sea of Galilee and the town of Ginosar.

Stay safe
Sea to Sea is a very popular trip for Israelis. Generally, Israelis are open people. It is not uncommon to be offered a cup of coffee or to be joined for a meal while hiking on the trail. It is acceptable to camp in a farm; some of the trails even run right through them. The farmers do not mind as long as you are respectful of their land. The biggest threat to your trip will be the weather. Also, keep your distance from wild boars. They can be aggressive at defending their young.

Part of the trail passes close enough to the border with Lebanon as to theoretically be within the range of Hezbollah rockets. However, the situation in this conflict has been relatively calm since the 2006 war and it is unlikely that Hezbollah fires anything without any advance signs of escalation. The conflict in Syria is far enough away as to not be of any concern, but it might be if you head further eastwards to the Golan Heights.

Go next
Once you arrive at the Sea of Galilee you can take a bus to the destination of your choice. There are buses that run and have stops on Route 90 which runs along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. These can take you to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The alternative is to call a taxi and drive to Tiberias and take a bus to almost anywhere in the country. Be aware that buses do not run on Saturdays in Israel.

title: Sea to Sea (Yam el Yam)


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Sea to Sky

The Sea to Sky region stretches from the North Shore up the east side of Howe Sound to Squamish, the gateway to British Columbia's magnificent alpine country of forests, lakes, and year round world class outdoor activities. The Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99), which gives the region its name, clings to the mountainsides, letting you drive from Vancouver to Whistler, one of North America's top ski resorts, in two hours. Further in is Pemberton. The area is rich with archaeological sites and historical lore of the Salish First Nations.

Cities
Here are the communities in the region, listed as you encounter them heading north from Vancouver.

 * — a string of communities along the eastern shore of Howe Sound
 * — the outdoor recreation capital of Canada, with rock climbing, hiking, white water, kiteboarding, and some eagles too. The gondola offers some great views of Howe Sound, the Chief and Squamish.
 * — the biggest ski resort in North America, but plenty to see and do year-round. Summer: mountain biking; extensive valley trail system, hike, swim. Peak to peak cable car gondola open year round.
 * — gateway to some beautiful backcountry areas. Winter: ski & snowmobile. Summer: mountain bike on 200 km of free trails. Paragliding, hiking, swimming at One Mile Lake's sandy beach, and hot springs.

Other destinations

 * — stellar hiking and camping amidst mountains and glacier-fed lakes
 * – known for its pristine lakes

By car
The only paved road in and out of the Sea to Sky region is Highway 99, commonly referred to as the Sea-to-Sky Highway. It links the region with Vancouver in the south and Lillooet and Highways 97 and 1 in the north. It is a beautiful but windy and, at times narrow, road. The highway was significantly upgraded and widened prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics and is now much safer compared to the past, when it had a slightly dangerous reputation, but care should still be taken when driving, especially in winter conditions. The section along Howe Sound between Vancouver and Whistler via Squamish is probably one of the most scenic routes to be found anywhere. Typical driving time from Vancouver to Whistler is 2-2½ hours. Winter tires are required on the Sea to Sky Highway from October 1 to March 31.

There are a number of rideshare sites available where you can find people to share the drive or find a ride for $0-20. If you have time go back the long way to Vancouver by the Dufffey Lake Road through Lillooet & Fraser Canyon: Fantastic Alpine Lakes the small "Marble Canyon", Semi-Arid Lillooet - long needle pines & sage brush: an extension of the Sonorian Desert, and the down the Fraser River back to the Lower Mainland and Vancouver's west coast marine Rain Forest.

By taxi
Whistler Resort Cabs, +1 604-938-1515, provides taxi service from Vancouver and Vancouver International Airport to Whistler for $255.

If a number of people are travelling together it is possible to go by Limo for $350-400 with room for between 6 and 10 people.

By plane
The nearest large airport is Vancouver International Airport. There are bus and limousine companies that provide direct shuttle service from the airport to Squamish and Whistler, see "By bus" above. Car rental is also available at the airport (in winter, always request snow tires and inspect to confirm they were installed).

Visitors arriving from the United States may find flying domestically to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or Bellingham International Airport and taking bus services across the border to be a cheaper option. The bus journey will be upwards of 5 hours. Quick Shuttle offers bus services to those airports from Vancouver.

Whistler and Pemberton both have small air facilities that handle a few regional chartered flights.

By train

 * Lillooet - Shalalth - Seton Portage The 2 car passenger train provides, besides daily round trip service, limited service farther south to Ponderosa Ranch near D'Arcy & can be chartered to extend the Ponderosa Run to D'Arcy - 45 min North of Pemberton - at the head of Anderson Lake. Expect occasional minor delays by Mountain Goats &/or Big Horn Sheep. They scatter at sight of the CN freight trains on the BCR Line but show no fear of the 2 car self-propelled passenger cars. See
 * The Rocky Mountaineer stops at Whistler on the Rainforest to Gold Rush route from Vancouver to Jasper via Whistler and Quesnel.

Get around
Access to some provincial parks and recreation areas is by Forest Service Roads (FSRs). Care should be taken when driving on these roads as some of them are in rough condition (possibly 4x4 or All Wheel Drive only) and they may still be actively used by logging trucks. Many such roads are "radio-controlled" so having a CB Radio will help avoid serious accidents.

Construction is under way to build the Sea to Sky Trail, a multi-use trail that will connect Pemberton to Squamish and make it easier to bike through the region. The trail will be gravel in parts however, so it is suitable for mountain bikes rather than road bikes.

By public transit
BC Transit operates bus services in Squamish, Pemberton, and Whistler, all which operate throughout the day. Bus service within Whistler is frequent. Bus service is available between Pemberton and Whistler, but otherwise is not available between cities.

See
The region's biggest attraction is the scenery — exquisite alpine lakes, craggy peaks, waterfalls, glaciers — and a surprising amount of it is easily accessible from the Sea to Sky Highway. Highlights include:
 * Shannon Falls drop 335 meters, making them the third tallest waterfall in the province. They are just south of Squamish and it is about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to a viewpoint at the bottom of the falls.
 * Brandywine Falls are located south of Whistler. It is about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to a lookout above the spectacular falls.
 * Nairn Falls are in Pemberton. The falls are 60 m high and accessed by a 10-20 minute walk from the parking lot.
 * Lower Joffre Lake, in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, is a beautiful turquoise alpine lake set against the backdrop of the Matier Glacier. It's northeast of Pemberton and is accessed by a five-minute walk from the parking lot. If you're looking for a more serious hike, continue on the trail to the Middle and Upper Joffre Lakes (it's 5.5 km) for more stunning views.
 * Garibaldi Lake, in Garibaldi Provincial Park, requires a 20 km round trip hike to see, but it's spectacular.

If you're keen to learn about the region's history, a couple of museums are worth checking. The BC Museum of Mining in Britannia Beach is the site of an old copper mine and now has a number of exhibits and activities. In Whistler, he Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre showcases the art, history and culture of the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations, while the Audain Art Museum has an excellent collection of art by British Columbia artists, and visiting exhibitions.

Do
If you want to do something outdoors, the Sea to Sky region is your place to be. Whistler is home to the biggest ski resort in North America — Whistler-Blackcomb — with a season that lasts from Nov to May and glacier skiing in the summer. Starting in May (most years), Whistler mountain is converted into a mountain bike park where the lifts are used to transport riders and bikes up so they can get the full experience of biking down a mountain with a few jumps and obstacles along the way. Mountain bike trails (without the lifts) also exist throughout much of the region.

Hiking is very popular and there are a range of trails from short fairly flat routes (Shannon Falls in Squamish, Brandywine Falls near Whistler, Lower Joffre Lake outside of Pemberton) to rigorous climbs up mountains (The Lions in Lions Bay and Wedge Mountain in Garibaldi Provincial Park) to the multiday options of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Some of the most rewarding hikes are The Stawamus Chief (Squamish), Garibaldi Lake (Garibaldi Provincial Park) and Upper Joffre Lake (Pemberton). The best book for information about hiking in this area (and all of the Lower Mainland) is 103 Hikes of Southwestern British Columbia  ISBN 1550547755.

Squamish is renowned for rock climbing and has a number of routes and bouldering options in the town and nearby. Other adrenaline inducing activities include white water kayaking and rafting on the rivers between Squamish and Whistler, bungee jumping in Whistler and kiteboarding in Squamish. There's also an artificial reef for scuba diving in Porteau Cove.

On the less strenuous side, golf is popular with a number of courses throughout the region. Whistler has the largest number and most celebrated, with courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Robert Trent Jones Jr. There is also a course just north of Porteau Cove and two clubs in each of Squamish and Pemberton.

Eat
You won't go hungry when visiting the Sea to Sky region, but the number of restaurants and the range of choice depends on where you are. Whistler has the widest array of restaurants and food options consistent with its status as a major resort. Squamish's dining scene is lower profile but it does have a number of good café-style restaurants. It also has the largest number of fast food restaurants if you want or need something in a hurry.

Drink
Suiting its young population and streams of visitors, Whistler has a large mix of bars, clubs and DJs to dance, drink or socialize the night away. During busy periods, expect line-ups at the popular spots but you may get a chance to party with a celebrity. At least one or two bars in town will usually have live music. A good source of information for current events and entertainment info' are the local papers: The Pique and The Question give Whistler and Pemberton Listings, and the Chief for Squamish.

Squamish and Pemberton both have local bars and pubs. The scene is lower key than Whistler, with more character and less flash.

Sleep
The Sea to Sky region has a full range of accommodation options. The higher end hotels and apartment/condo rentals are mostly in Whistler, with some cheaper options in Squamish and Pemberton. There are B&Bs in all three towns, but hostels are surprisingly under represented, with just a handful in Whistler.

Camping is available in the provincial parks and recreation sites scattered throughout the region. For summer weekend, it's recommended to book in advance, early in the new year, as they sell out. Many of the sites are drive-in (Nairn Falls and Birkenhead Lake) although there are some spectacular campsites if you're willing to hike for a bit at parks like Garibaldi and Joffre Lakes.

There are also many free, unmaintained forestry campsites, such as along Lillooet Lake and River. Be warned you could have your tranquility broken by loud yahoos. No matter how wild the party the cops won't come unless they are burning down the forest. Recommend these sites only in off season, while school is still in session.

Stay safe
Weather can change quickly due to the rapid changes to elevation.

Despite the upgrades to Highway 99, some sections remain steep and windy. They are often marked by lower maximum speed limits.

Go next

 * Lillooet Country to the north is the gateway to the Cariboo. The Bridge River Valley has more camping, fishing and hiking.
 * Sunshine Coast - more laid back small towns and vacation areas

title: Sea to Sky