And that’s when I’m split between returning to the familiar beaches of my childhood at the Jersey Shore or to more convenient beaches on Long Island. Long Island, not so much,” said Julia Fragias, who was waiting for her train at Penn Station. Whereas on the Jersey Shore, you feel a little bit like a tourist having “a carnival experience,” she said. New York has more free beaches … with a caveatThe Jersey Shore is known for having very few free beaches. For now, Long Beach off Long Island is my go-to beach *this* summer because it’s laid back and easiest to get to from Brooklyn.