welcome to the site!
raritan bay will be your closest, try Laurence Harbor, Cliffwood, Union Beach, Keansburg, Port Monmouth, etc. Sandy Hook has miles of fishable beach on both the bay(river) and ocean sides. and that's not even getting down the coast any.
stop by any of the local tackle shops for up to the minute info on spots and baits, depending on how you go and how far you're going there's Fred's, Tackle Box, Atlantic B & T, Julian's, all lined up for you with all you need.
Good luck and post up some reports!!!
PS we're planning a beach vacation down on Broadkill Beach this summer, 1st time there, ya gotta fill me in on the area