St. Augustine & Ponte Vedra Beach
In recent years Florida’s Historic Coast has become one of Florida’s favorite destinations. A visit here demonstrates the unique sense of place: the oldest city in North America, St. Augustine, the luxurious amenities and world-class golf at Ponte Vedra Beach, along with 42 miles (67.5 km) of pristine beaches, has visitors wanting to stay at least one more day.
People come to explore the history of St. Augustine where the architecture, art, music, attractions and more are a great appeal. They come to enjoy the ultimate golf and spa experiences at one of the exclusive resorts a Ponte Vedra Beach, and to relax at one of the gorgeous beaches in the area. And, there is so much more to do. Here are some great experiences and ideas for stories for visitor experiences here and what make guests long to return again and again. There is always more to experience on Florida’s Historic Coast.
Hop in the car and explore one of Florida’s two scenic byways: A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway. Stretching from Ponte Vedra Beach south to Flagler Beach. This 72-mile coastal roadway allows visitors to navigate nature’s beauty, history, and true serenity. The land and waters on either side have been part of the sweep of American history, nature, archaeology, and recreation for nearly 500 years. Stops along the way include to historic Spanish Forts, the Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas, magnificently preserved natural areas like the GTM Research Reserve and Anastasia State Park, and of course the most historic city in the United States: St. Augustine!
The nature on Florida’s Historic Coast is a story unto itself. This part of North Florida has successfully stayed under the radar of big development, allowing for a great deal of conservation and preservation. One unique experience can be found at Guana Lake at the GTM Research Reserve, where an amazing glow from the bioluminescence light created by billions of comb jellies is visible each month during the new moon phase. The experience of paddling through the nighttime waters to see this mystical display is available through Geotrippin Adventures at Ponte Vedra Beach.
That is not the only wildlife encounter found here. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, founded in 1893, is one of Florida’s oldest attractions and features all 24 species of crocodilian in the world. In the spring the Alligator Farm’s lagoon becomes the nesting grounds for hundreds of wading birds; roseate spoonbills, herons, egrets, wood storks, and more. The Alligators below protect the birds and their nests from natural predators (raccoons, snakes, possum, etc.). This spectacular nesting experience is unlike anything you have ever seen. And, you can see it from above too at Crocodile Crossing, the Alligator Farm’s intense ropes and zipline course that takes participants over the park. Imagine zipping above a pond filled with gators or crocs. Not for the faint of heart.
The outdoor adventure continues out over the ocean too. Whether it is fishing for the big catch of your life with one of the many professional fishing guides, participating on one of the area’s famous fishing tournaments, or just a spending a fun day at the beach surf fishing, you can get your catch on here.
Surfing on Florida’s Historic Coast is big too. The St. Augustine Surf Culture & History Museum tells the story and, from beginner to refresher instructions, the pros at Pit Surf Shop will have students of all ages curling out on the waves in no time.
Imaging the experience of paddling on the Intracoastal waterway alongside a pod of dolphin while learning about their natural habitat and behaviors from one of the expert guides at Ripple Effect Ecotours. After a paddle in the natural waterways, guests are invited to visit Marinleland Dolphin Adventure to learn about dolphin behavior and take the behind the seas tour to learn more about animal habitats and other marine life in the area.
The next greatest outdoor experience coming to Florida’s Historic Coast is the St. Johns Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve opening in Fall 2023. This beautiful 16-acre park will feature more than 400 species of palm trees, and programming that focuses on education, conservation, and more about the native vegetation of Northeast Florida.
Visitors and locals alike agree on one thing: Florida’s Historic Coast is the perfect place to catch some live music, food and cultural festivals.
In the summer months, the area is filled with the sound of music with free concerts, dazzling performances by some of the world’s most beloved performers at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, and live performances by the many local and regional favorite bands at multiple venues throughout the area. In the summer months the free Music By the Sea Concert series takes place every Wednesday evening at St. Johns Ocean Pier Park on St. Augustine Beach. And every Thursday evening through the summer Concerts in the Plaza and the Colonial Oak Music Park in historic St. Augustine present a series of free concerts. The music scene in St. Augustine is so vibrant, there is even free Live Music App available on Apple Store and Google Play.
Most impressive are the music events produced by the St. Johns Cultural Events Division (SJCD). In September the Sing Out Loud Festival, September 8- October 1, features dozens of free concerts at multiple venues throughout Florida’s Historic Coast, and features a very special tickets event, the two-day Francis Field Showcase which features some of todays’ most popular performers including Lord Huron, the Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, War Hippies and many others.
In addition to the Sing Out Loud Festival, in partnership with the Friends of Fort Mose Historic State Park, the SJCD produces the Annual Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Festival which features some the genre’s greatest performing artist’s of today. The 2023 Festival featured Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples, Rhiannan Giddens and many others.
Visit here to learn more about the Live music on Florida’s Historic Coast.
The culinary scene in St. Augustine is as storied as its history. Over the past 500 years, lots of people came from lots of different places to the New World, bringing with them their aromatic spices, their seasoned pots and age-old recipes from their homelands. Here, they mixed, mingled and culminated in what is truly a melting pot of cultures. From African to Minorcan, Spanish to Greek, you can still experience the rich, vibrant flavors of St. Augustine through its distinct culinary scene. And the cooking can be learned. At the Ancient City Brunch Bar’s Ancient City Cooking Experiences, the staff and guest chefs teach the preparation and use of local ingredients in some of the region’s popular fish, chicken, and local grown vegetable dishes.
The food scene here is bursting at the seams. Samples of small-batch spirits distilled can be found throughout the city. At local staples like The Floridian, southern classics mingle with fresh salads made from local produce and hearty portions served in cast iron skillets. Fine dining and sweet flavors are on every corner. And there are great dining experiences like AsadoLife, where everyone gathers around the pit for an evening of friendship, great food and lively conversation over a fabulous fire-grilled meal. This Argentine-inspired, live-fire asado dining experience takes place on the waterfront overlooking the scenic San Sebastian River.
Restaurant recommendations from locals will help you plan your foodie adventure while you’re here. One of the best ways to discover great restaurants that are local favorites, and sometimes off the beaten path, is with one of the great food tours.
The Tasting Tours, St. Augustine City Walks Food & Wine Tours, and St. Augustine Experiences each offers a unique tour that reflect the history, culture and flavors that makes St. Augustine a top culinary destination.
Founded in 1565 as the first successful settlement in North America, St. Augustine is in constant celebration of our heritage with many historic reenactments, storytelling, and impressive attractions and historic sites. The story only started then. The city and its experiences have so many milestones to celebrate. Here are a few commemorations taking place in 2023 & 2024:
Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. For information call 1.800.653.2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. Check us out on Twitter @FlHistoricCoast on Instagram @FloridasHistoricCoast and @ViajaSanAgustin on Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine and Facebook.com/ViajaSanAgustin. #StAugustine #PonteVedra #FloridasHistoricCoast #ViajaSanAgustin