[rgold79]

At some point this summer NJ Transit is starting express train service from NYC to AC. I think that might not be happening in July. Don't take mass transit to/from JFK to/from Manhattan. Pony up for a cab or take one of the shuttle buses run by private companies that drop you off around Grand Central or the PA.

During the summer the NYC-AC buses have a reasonable number of normal people just heading to the shore for the weekend along with the usual degenerate crowd. If someone offers to share a cigarette with you at the Cheesequake rest stop, say no thanks.

If the NJT express train isn't running yet and you hate the bus you can take Amtrak to Phila and then NJT from 30th Street to AC. Alternatively since Amtrak is expensive you can take NJT local to Trenton, SEPTA (e.g. Sorriest Excuse for Public Transportation in America) to 30th Street and then NJT again. This is a long trip. Taking a cab would be prohibitively expensive.

The beaches in AC proper are sort of gross but again during the summer there are plenty of people out there. Nicer beaches can be found in Margate or Longport, IMO.