Accolades recognizing Florida’s Historic Coast as a Great Destination!

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Contact:
Barbara Golden, 904-209-4425 / 904-669-8142 (m)
BGolden@FloridasHistoricCoast.com

St. Augustine, Fla. (February 2025) - In recent years Florida’s Historic Coast visitor experiences have received great recognition. In addition to the destination’s recognition, many local businesses here are recognized nationally for their exceptional offerings and customer service. Here is a list of some of the destination’s overall impressive accolades:

The Manual.com (February 2025)- In a study revealing the best beach getaway for 2025 based on factors like affordability, local charm, hidden gem status, and ideal weather conditions, Vilano Beach was named the #5 beach destination in the U.S.

Booking.com (January 2025) – The oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States was named the friendliest, or “most welcoming” destination for travelers in the U.S., and in the Top five of the World’s Most Welcoming Cities for 2025.

WorldAtlas.com (January 2025) – St. Augustine named the #1 destination on the 2025 11 Best Florida Towns for a Weekend Trip.

Golf.com (December 2024) – Home of the Players Championship since 1982, the TPC Stadium Course ranked the #2 golf course in Florida

USA News & World Report (December 2024) On their Annual Best Vacations Ranking. US News & World Report listed St. Augustine as #15 on their list of the Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA in 2025, and #3 on their list of the Best Places to visit in Florida.

MSN.com (December 2024)- Using reviews from Tripadvisor, plus knowledge from their own expert team of travel writers, MSN ranked St. Augustine number one out of 30 of their favorite of Florida’s Most Beautiful Towns.

TravelPulse.com (November 2024)- Recommended St. Augustine as the number 1 Best Holiday Travel Destination in Florida on their annual best holiday destinations in the USA.

WorldAtlas (August 2024) – St. Augustine listed as #1 on the list of the 10 Most Historic Small Towns to Visit on the Atlantic Coast.

LoveExploring (May 2024) – St. Augustine was named one of the world’s most beautiful cities by editors of Love Exploring online travel magazine.

Southern Living (May 2024) – St. Augustine listed among the 20 Walkable Girlfriend Getaways That Exude Southern Charm.

Prestige Magazine (April 2024)- The PLAYERS Championship Golf Tournament which takes place at TPC Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra Beach was named #1 on the Magazine’s list of 16 Most Prestigious Golf Tournaments in the Word.

Convention South Magazine (April 2024) – St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra / Florida’s Historic Coast was selected by meeting planners to receive the 2023 Reader’s Choice Award for exhibiting excellence creativity and professionalism in the meetings and conventions industry.

Miami Herald (April 2024) – Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine named a Florida Hidden Treasure.

Southern Living (March 2024) – South’s Best Awards names St. Augustine The Best Small Town in Florida.

USA TODAY 10 Best – St. Augustine’s Lincolnville Magazine made the #5 spot on Hidden gems: 10 best small town museums across the U.S. list.

Conde Nast Traveler (January 2024) – Editors named Vilano Beach one of The Best Beach Detours from Orlando.

Travel & Leisure (January 2024) – St. Augustine recognized as one of the Top 24 (#9) camping destinations in the U.S., according to Campspot.com.

HGTV (December 2023) – Claims St. Augustine as the best small town in Florida to visit for Christmas.

Wealth of Geeks (December 2023) – St. Augustine listed among the Top 7 Southern Weekend Getaways To Escape the Winter Blues.

Explore.com (December 2023) – St. Augustine listed among the Top 5 Best Places To Stay On Your Florida Vacation That Won't Break The Bank, According To Research

Conde Nast Traveler (November 2023) - St. Augustine named one of the Top 20 Cities in the U.S. that goes all out for the Holidays.

Church News and Casago Travel (November 2023) – National Shrine of our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios recognized as the most peaceful tourist spot in the United States.

Convention’s South (October 2023) – St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau was awarded the Reader’s Choice Award for Best Convention Bureau.

TravelNoire (October 2023) – Crescent Beach was named one of the 5 Best Beaches in Florida for Sun, Surf and Scenery, noted for a pristine Atlantic shoreline abutting wild natural settings.

Conde Nast Traveler (October 2023) – St. Augustine awarded the #7 spot in Readers Choice for Best Small City in the U.S.

New York Travel Guide (October 2023) – St. Augustine named the number 3 Most Romantic Small Town in the U.S.

Best Life (September 2023) – St. Augustine Among the Best for Cities With Most Beautiful Old Homes, ranking # 5 of 13.

National Geographic (September 2023) – St. Augustine included on the magazine’s Adventures Everywhere section as one of seven beach destinations in “These U.S. beach towns are even better in the fall”.

Southern Living (September 2023) – St. Augustine named the Best Beach town to retire to in the South.

TheTravel.com (June 2023) - St. Augustine Beach was named #7 by editors on the list of the Top 10 Prettiest Beaches in Florida.

TravelAwaits.com (June 2023) – Editors name St. Augustine as #4 on the list of 14 Friendliest Small Towns In The U.S.

USA Today 10 Best Awards (June 2023) – Readers voted Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine a Top 10 must visit beach in the south.

TheTravel.com (May 2023) – St. Augustine named one of the 10 Best Small Towns in the U.S. for a Perfect Summer Vacation

Budget Travel (May 2023) – The editors at Budget Travel named St. August as one of the Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in 2023.

Fodor’s Travel (May 2023) – St. Augustine named as one of the 15 Most Romantic Small Towns Across the United States by Fodor’s Travel editors.

Global Viewpoint (May 2023) – St. Augustine was named one of the 25 best hidden vacation spots in the U.S.

USA Today 10 Best (May 2023) – St. Augustine named among the Top 10 Most Walkable Cities in the U.S. (#5)

Woman’s World (May 2023) - St. Augustine takes the #1 spot in the South’s Eight Sweetest Cities.

USA Today Outdoorswire (April 2023) – Recognized for its exceptional skyline St. Augustine was named among the Top 16 outstanding urban kayaking destinations in the U.S.

TheTravel.com (April 2023) – St. Augustine among the top spots on the list of Small Towns In Florida That Break Away From Typical Tourist Spots.

USA Today 10 Best (April 2023) -St. Augustine was selected as the No.6 Best Small Coastal Town in the U.S. by USA Today 10 Best readers.

Town and Country Magazine (March 2023)- St. Augustine with its Spanish architecture and irresistible charm is named among the named one of The Best Small Towns in Florida Big on Charm.

Southern Living (March 2023) - South’s Best Awards, featuring St. Augustine as the Best Small Town in the South

USA Today 10 Best (March 2023) – St. Augustine was named a Top 10 Small Town in the US by USA Today readers.

Tripadvisor (February 2023) – St. Augustine Beach was named to the #13 slot of the Top Beaches in the United States (#3 in Florida) on Tripadvisor 2023 Travelers Choice Awards.

Convention South (January 2023) – St. Augustine Ponte Vedra & The Beaches awarded 2022 Readers Choice Award for exhibiting excellence, creativity and professionalism in the meetings and convention industry.

Southern Living (January 2023) - St. Augustine takes the #2 spot the Florida Towns That Are Better In The Winter list.

Southern Living (August 2022) - St. Augustine recognized as the City with the Most Historical Homes in The U.S.

TheTravel.com (August 2022) - St. Augustine takes #5 spot on the list of Perfect East Coast Destinations for A Road Trip.

MSN.com (August 2022)- St. Augustine is recognized as #3 of 30 Most Beautiful Small Towns and Cities in Florida.

BestLife (August 2022) - St. Augustine makes the list of The 10 Best U.S. Cities to Visit for History Buffs.

Lonely Planet (June 2022) – St. Augustine included on the list of the 10 Most stories places in the US to visit in 2022.

Livability (May 2022) – St. Augustine listed among the top six Historic Downtowns that are jumping - 6 Historic Downtowns You Must Visit.

USA Today 10 Best (April 2022) – St. Augustine Harbor named among the 10 Best Urban Paddle Trails in the U.S.

Trips to Discover (April 2022) – St. Augustine (Beach) named a Top 15 Best Family Beach Vacation in the U.S.

Southern Living (March 2022) - St. Augustine Ranked #5 out of 20 of The South’s Best Beach Towns 2022.

Tripadvisor (February 2022) – St. Augustine Beach named #14 in Traveler’s Choice Award for “Top 25 Beaches in the United States.”

Conde Nast Traveler (December 2021) – St. Augustine Made the #1 slot on the U.S. Cities That Are Full of European Charm list

Wonders Within Reach (December 2021) – St. Augustine awarded “Most Progressive Destination” for its enthusiasm and effort to improve accessibility.

Smart Meetings (November 2021) – Awarded St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau as the 2020 Smart Meetings Platinum Choice Award winner, the most prestigious recognition in the meetings industry, for displaying the highest standards of overall excellence in service and amenities.– St. Augustine named #9 in the Top 10 Ittie Bittie Cities, ranked on appetite for “revenge travel” and a desire to level up travel experiences

Southern Living (September 2021) – St. Augustine among the 25 Favorite Fall Beach Destinations

Thrillist (August 2021) – The Beach at Guana Reserve at Ponte Vedra Beach was included as one of the Underrated American Beaches You Need to Hit Before Summer’s Over.

Conde Nast Traveler (August 2021) Writers at Conde Nast included St. Augustine near the top of the list of The 26 Most Beautiful Towns in America.

Global Traveler (July 2021) – The Readers of TrazeeTravel.com and Whereverfamily.com voted St. Augustine Favorite Beach Town, Florida Eat and Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida East.

BeChewey.com (June 2021) – Named St. Augustine # 6 in the Top 10 Best Dog-Friendly Vacation Destinations for 2021.

U.S. News & World Report (May 2021) – Best Vacations: Travelers Seek Nature, Adventure in 2021-22 - St. Augustine ranked the #4 Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S. and #4 Best Weekend Getaways in the South.

MSN.com (May 2021) – MSN.com named St. Augustine Beach one of 10 most gorgeous beaches to visit this summer

WKMG - Best of Central Florida (May 2021) In May 2021 WKMG tv announced St. Augustine Beach/Ponte Vedra Beach as the People’s Choice for Best Beaches of Central Florida.

MSN.com (April 2021) - MSN.com published their Top 20 Beaches in the United States, including St. Augustine as a great beach destination with excellent sights—such as the Castillo De San Marcos National Monument.

FloridaTrippers.com (February 2021) – Between castles, beaches, museums, national parks, ghost tours, distilleries, restaurants, and wineries and tons of things to do, St. Augustine made the top of the list of the 21 Cutest Small Towns In Florida.

US DOT (February 2021) - The A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, which spans from Ponte Vedra Beach south through Florida’s Historic Coast to Flagler Beach has been designated an All-American Road, one of only two in the State of Florida.

Travel + Leisure Online (February 2021) – St. Augustine named one of 11 Best Small Towns in America for its local arts, crafts, history beaches and more.

Convention South (January 2021) – St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau was awarded the 2020 Readers’ Choice Award for exhibiting excellence, creativity and professionalism in the meetings and conventions industry.

TripAdvisor (January 2021) – St. Augustine was listed as #2 Trending Destination in the U.S. and #25 Trending Destination in the World among travelers eager to get back to traveling.

Country Living Magazine online (September 2020) – Listed St. Augustine among the “20 Small Towns that Leave a Big Impression”

Women’s Day Magazine (September 2020) – Listed St. Augustine among Top “18 American Destinations That Look Like Europe”

Farandwide.com (September 2020) – Listed St. Augustine #1 “U.S. Destinations That Feels Like Europe”

MSN.com (August 2020) – Listed St. Augustine #4 in “The World’s Most Beautiful Ancient Cities”

Southern Living (2020) – St. Augustine ranked #1 for Most Historic Homes in U.S.

USA Today (July 2020) – 10Best Readers’ Choice, St. Augustine named a “Best Historic Small Town”

MSN.com (July 2020) – St. Augustine listed among “17 Epic U.S. Travel Destinations You’ve Probably Never Heard Of”

USA Today (July 2020) – St. Augustine listed in “Get Your European Fix in These U.S. Towns”St. Augustine listed among “The 50 Best College Towns to Live in Forever”

Southern Living (June 2020) – St. Augustine Beach listed #8 in “The 25 Best Beaches in America”

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