Belmar's most natural day trip — or half-day trip — is Spring Lake, the quiet Victorian town immediately to the south. You can walk or run between the two along the connected boardwalk in about half an hour, and the contrast is part of the appeal: Spring Lake's uncluttered strand and wide-porched houses feel like a different world from Belmar's cheerful beach-town energy. Head down for lunch on Third Avenue and walk back along the ocean.