Cape May (which is south of the Mason Dixon line, btw) is very nice. Stay away from Wildwood slightly upshore, however, unless you want to attend a mullet convention (and I'm not talking about the fish). The Jersey Shore has nicer beaches than most of Florida and all of California, IMHO.
Yeah....I grew up in PA, so I’m at least vaguely familiar with the high and low points of NJ...The nice parts you mention have autumn foliage every bit as beautiful as anywhere in New England.