Scranton, situated in the northeast part of the Pennsylvania, is landlocked (pretty much like the rest of the state of Pennsylvania) and the closest beach is going to be at least 2 hours away.
From northern Pennsylvania, the Sandy Hook unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, about 95 miles east of Bethlehem includes an historic fort, lighthouse and beaches on Sandy Hook Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Asbury Park, 13 miles south of Sandy Hook, famous as Bruce Springsteen's stomping grounds, has a six-block-long boardwalk lined with amusement rides, arcades, eateries and bars, including the Stone Pony, made famous by Springsteen and other performers such as Bon Jovi.
Avon-by-the-Sea, barely two miles south of Asbury Park, is a Victorian village with a quiet, non-commercial boardwalk and white, sandy beaches.
Check out other ocean beaches nearest to Pennsylvania, shared by USA Today.