Florida’s Historic Coast: 6 Best Beaches
More than 500 years ago, Ponce de Leon spotted beautiful, inviting beaches that drew him to shore and led to…
Convenient white sand beaches with ties to civil rights history.
Butler Beach on Anastasia Island is located only eight miles south of St. Augustine’s historic district and offers wide stretches of white sand beaches perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
Visitors may access Butler Beach via the Frank B. Butler County Park. The Mary Street Beach ramp takes drivers to the beach ($10 per car for beach access). To the right before the pay station, unpaved Gloria Avenue has free beach parking.
Butler Beach offers plenty of amenities, making it a great option for a day of family fun. The park staffs the beach seasonally with lifeguards, and other amenities include free parking, restrooms, showers, barbecue grills, and picnic pavilions. Dogs are welcome on Butler Beach but must be leashed at all times.
In the early 1900’s, a young black man named Frank B. Butler moved to St. Augustine. Upon arriving, he settled in the predominantly African-American area known as Lincolnville – now one of the city’s historic districts. At that time, Florida’s beaches were for the use of “whites only.” In 1927, Butler became so annoyed by this injustice that he began purchasing oceanfront property on Anastasia Island.
Butler was eventually able to acquire a tract stretching across the island from the Atlantic to the Matanzas River. He named it Butler Beach and opened it to African-Americans. It became the only stretch of beach between Daytona Beach and American Beach, north of Jacksonville, where African-Americans were allowed to enjoy the sand and the sea.
Local Tip: For a great view of the Intercoastal Waterway, head to the west-side of the park.
Florida’s Historic Coast: 6 Best Beaches
More than 500 years ago, Ponce de Leon spotted beautiful, inviting beaches that drew him to shore and led to…
History
St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches
Hotels & Places to Stay | St. Augustine & Ponte Vedra, FL
Search St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach hotels, bed & breakfasts, resorts and vacation rentals, and find the perfect place…
Family Fun
Planning a family vacation in Florida? Try St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach!
Nao Trinidad Tall Ship Tours at St. Augustine Municipal Marina111 Avenida Menendez
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Exhibition: A Landscape Longed For - The Garden as Disturbance at Crisp- Ellert Art Museum48 Sevilla St.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Butterfield Garage Art Gallery Featured Artist: Richlin Burnett-Ryan "Exuberance"137 King St.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
P.A.St.A. April Feature Artist, Tracy Lavely214 Charlotte St.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Tom Nagata - Flora and Fauna, East to West at First Coast Cultural Center6000B Sawgrass Village Circle
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Spring Members Show at St. Augustine Art Association22 Marine Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
13th Annual St. Johns All-County Middle School Art Show at St. Augustine Art Association22 Marine Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Fair Winds to Elysium: William Bartram's Travels in East Florida, 1774-2024500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Third Wednesdays: West King WednesdaysSt. Augustine, FL 32084
Wednesday Pier Farmers Market350 A1A Beach Blvd.
St. Augustine, FL 32080
Restorative Yoga at Essential Energy Spa3440 U.S. 1 S, Suite 202
St. Augustine, FL 32086
FREE TOUR: Love Gone Wrong, Tales & Legends of St Augustine's Romantic Past4 Granada Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084