14-year-old Stephanie Miller is spending a boring vacation at the beach with her protective parents and annoying siblings, until she meets David, a college student, on the boardwalk. Despite her parents' warnings, Stephanie goes on a date with David to Wildwood, a teen hangout. They go to a party where there's drinking and David starts to flirt with another girl. A fight ensues, forcing David and Stephanie to flee to the nearby amusement park. There, they are stopped by police officers enforcing the teen curfew. David is defiant and to make matters worse, the officers find what looks like a marijuana cigarette on Stephanie. Luckily, it turns out to be nothing more than oregano. After the police escort the couple out of town, David suggests they party elsewhere. Sobered by her experience, Stephanie reveals her true age and her irresponsible date speeds off. The next day, having learned an important lesson, Stephanie is content to build sandcastles on the beach.