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JACKSONVILLE
BEACHES
& ITS BEACHES
TO HOME
You're walking down the cobblestone streets of a Spanish colonial town that dates back more than 440 years. Ahead, the narrow alley gives way to a broad, palm tree-lined promenade along the banks of a turquoise bay. At the end of the promenade stands a massive, coquina stone fort. Cannons perched along the fort's upper deck point toward the broad inlet and sandy barrier islands that serve as a picturesque gateway between the ocean and the harbor. A tall-mast ship emerges on the horizon, a sight that centuries ago signaled an attack by British imperialists or buccaneers looking to pillage and burn the town. Strange as it may sound, you're standing in the United States.
St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental United States. It was founded by the Spanish in 1565, 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Today, St. Augustine is situated right in the middle of modern Florida -- a mere 40 miles from the glassy skyscrapers of downtown Jacksonville, 100 miles from the rocket ships of Kennedy Space Center and 100 miles from the fantasy theme parks of Orlando -- but its nearly four and a half centuries of history make it seem worlds away.
St. Augustine boasts a unique blend of qualities that warrants comparisons to many other renown places throughout the world -- the historic authenticity and architecture of Spain, the picturesque seaside beauty of the Mediterranean, the romantic allure of Paris, the Southern charm of Charleston or Savannah, and the relaxed, artistic spirit of Key West -- all blended together under the North Florida sun. The city's attractions are diverse and plentiful, including forts, historic sites, living history museums, animal parks, sightseeing tours, ghost tours, specialty museums and areas for recreation and amusement. It's common to see authentically clothed soldiers and craftsmen walking around town, particularly at the Colonial Spanish Quarter and at the Castillo de San Marcos, where if you're lucky you'll see (and hear) a cannon firing demonstration. The Historic District is a walkable area centered around pedestrian-only St. George Street. In the Historic District you'll find a vast array of attractions, shops, art galleries, restaurants, bed & breakfasts and hotels within a short walk from one another.
St. Augustine also boasts three small beach communities and a state park along its historic shores. South of Guana River State Park, which separates Jacksonville's beaches from those of St. Augustine, ,at the very tip of the same long barrier island is a quaint, narrow community of pastel Floribbean beach houses with big aspirations called Vilano Beach. Characterized by its mom & pop nostalgia, this once neglected community now boasts a fishing pier and nature walk along the Intracoastal and is working on developing a community town center along a handful of blocks between the beach and pier.
Further south, across the inlet that creates St. Augustine's harbor, is Anastasia Island. This southernmost island sits due east and southeast of St. Augustine and even includes part of the city limits. In addition, however, Anastasia Island includes pristine Anastasia State Park, small but commercialized St. Augustine Beach and the beach homes and condos of sleepy Crescent Beach. While any of these beaches are sure to please visitors, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine Beach and Crescent Beach, unfortunately, do allow cars to drive and park on the sand. Other attractions on Anastasia include the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, and Fort Matanzas. Marineland, America's oldest marine life park, sits just south of Anastasia's tip, right across the Flagler County line.
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