Filming took place in early 2001 . The story is primarily set in Long Beach , New York , a beachfront town on the south shore of Long Island , for which the municipal motto is " Civitas ad Mare " , Latin for " City by the Sea " . However , the on-location scenes in the film that supposedly show the town of Long Beach , were in fact shot in Asbury Park , New Jersey . The film features many aspects of a town that appears to be partially ruined , including scenes of a shabby boardwalk and an abandoned casino/arcade building . There is a disclaimer in the credits at the end of the film which explicitly states that the film was not shot in Long Beach . Some other scenes in the film show New York City ( including the World Trade Center ; that footage was not edited out after September 11 attacks )
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
City by the Sea