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New Contest Confirms Ocean City's Beach Is 'Best In America'

By Jasmine Payoute

OCEAN CITY, NJ (CBS) – If New Jerseyans weren't already aware that "their beach is better" a new study has just confirmed it.

Ocean City beat out beaches across the country in Coastal Living's Inaugural Beach Madness Bracket, "The Best Beach in America 2016."

Similar to the NCAA bracket, Villanova conquered not to long ago, this bracket put beaches head to head in five different rounds to determine the winner.

In the Best Beaches' version of the "final four" Ocean City took on Tybee Island, Georgia, while Huntington Beach, California matched up and defeated the Indiana Dunes, in Indiana.

In the championship round, Ocean City defeated Huntington Beach, CA by a landslide. The historic summer destination garnered more than 100,000 votes, according to an announcement made by the city.

"The contest included a lot of beautiful beaches, but the voters knew that Ocean City is much more than that," Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said. "It's a tradition and a part of life for generations of residents and guests. Days on the beach and boardwalk nights in Ocean City are the fabric of many fond memories for people across the country. We all feel blessed to live in such a wonderful place and proud that so many visitors share our passion."

As the trophy, Ocean City won't exactly be getting a parade, but they will be featured in the June 2016 issue of Coastal Living Magazine, as well as several other digital packages.

The victory is only one of many Ocean City has garnered for being one of New Jersey's greatest family destinations.

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