Great Stories to Discover on Florida’s Historic Coast

Contact: Barbara Golden
Phone: 904-669-8142
Email: BGolden@FloridasHistoricCoast.com

March/April 2026:

Florida’s Historic Coast is one of the state’s most beloved destinations. Visitors are drawn to the unique sense of place in St. Augustine, the oldest city in North America. They indulge in luxurious resort amenities and world-class golf in Ponte Vedra Beach, enjoy 42 miles of pristine shoreline, and take part in exceptional year-round outdoor adventures. There’s always a reason to stay just one more day.

Whether the original travel plan includes exploring St. Augustine’s rich history, admiring its architecture, art, music, and attractions, relaxing on the beaches, or enjoying a golf-and-spa escape at one of Ponte Vedra Beach’s upscale resorts—visitors always discover so much more. There’s always more to explore on Florida’s Historic Coast.

A Culturally Rich Past.

With more than 460 years of rich history, Florida’s Historic Coast is rich with stories of community, culture, and tradition that continue to shape the region today. From Religious practices and celebrations to cultural diversity and heritage, these stories remain woven into the fabric of St. Augustine and the surrounding area.

Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine serves as the U.S. gateway for the Camino de Santiago Florida route. Whether participating in an organized pilgrimage or following one’s own path, St. Augustine stands as the spiritual and symbolic starting point of the Camino de las Américas, an initiative that extends the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage to the American continent. Christianity was first practiced here in 1565, and today, modern technology helps guide pilgrims through the Camino is the Way app, available on Google Play and Apple App Store, helps guide pilgrims and visitors to this sacred site, connecting centuries of faith, history, and innovation.

The Minorcan presence along Florida’s Historic Coast dates back to 1768, when Scottish entrepreneur Dr. Andrew Turnbull established an indigo plantation in New Smyrna Beach. He brought more than 1,200 Mediterranean indentured servants—primarily Minorcans, along with Greeks, Italians, Spanish, and French—to work on the plantation. When the settlement collapsed in 1777 during the turmoil of the American Revolution, these settlers relocated to St. Augustine. Their descendants remain an essential part of the cultural identity of the nation’s oldest city. The St. Photios Greek Orthodox Shrine, the Oldest Wooden School House along with several restaurants that share this heritage and history every day.

Florida’s Historic Coast has been the backdrop for some of the most significant chapters in Black history. St. Augustine’s importance in African American history continues to grow—the city has been selected as the future home of the Florida African American Museum, further recognizing its pivotal role in the state’s cultural and historical narrative. There are number of events and locations to explore this important story.

Several locations and commemorations highlight this enduring story. In June, the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center commemorates Juneteenth, marking the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of slavery in the United States. At Fort Mose Historic State Park, the site of the first free Black community in North America, reenactments commemorate the Battle of Bloody Mose, fought on June 26, 1740, during General James Oglethorpe’s invasion of Spanish Florida. Year-round, visitors can further explore Black history at the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center, the Crispus Attucks Center, the ACCORD Civil Rights Museum, and Dr. Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park, or follow one of the Black Heritage Trails through the Black History App to discover significant landmarks throughout the city.

Celebrate America’s 250th in the Nation’s Oldest City

St. Augustine has been bringing the earliest chapters of America’s history, culture, architecture, and tradition to life for centuries. As Americans prepare to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary, the Nation’s Oldest City offers a rare chance to experience the origins of the United States.

Although the story of America’s semiquincentennial begins in 1776, St. Augustine’s journey began much earlier, in 1565, when Pedro Menendez de Aviles established the oldest continuously inhabited European city in the continental United States. Florida is home to many of America’s earliest European settlements, and St. Augustine stands at the center of the story.

Click here for updates on 2026 events highlighting the American Revolution.

Food Events Tell the Culinary Story of Florida’s Historic Coast

Many 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 many culinary events throughout the year.

Each Spring, several festivals highlight the region’s culinary heritage. In March, the St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival celebrates the area’s bounty from the Sea. In April, The Taste of St. Augustine brings together some of the city’s most beloved restaurants to compete for top culinary honors, while the Cabbage, Potato and Bacon Festival celebrates the area’s agricultural heritage. In May, the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival pays tribute to the region’s agricultural roots. In May, the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival showcases nationally recognized chefs alongside local culinary talent and beverage experts, celebrating the flavors and creativity of Florida’s Historic Coast.

The celebration of food continues into the fall and winter seasons. In October, the St. Augustine Greek Festival honors the city’s Greek heritage with traditional cuisine, music, and culture. In January, Whisky, Wine and Wildlife features some of Northeast Florida’s finest chefs presenting exceptional cuisine paired with premium beverages. Also in January, the CPS Chowder Festival invites local chefs to compete for the title of best chowder, featuring both Minorcan and New England-style clam chowders. In February, the St. Augustine Spanish Food & Wine Festival highlights the city’s deep Spanish roots, showcasing authentic Spanish cuisine, wines, and culinary traditions that reflect the region’s historic ties to Spain.

The Great Outdoors

Florida’s Historic Coast invites exploration through two designated scenic byways, including the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, a 72-mile route from Ponte Vedra Beach to Flagler Beach. This byway traces centuries of natural beauty, archaeological significance, and American history.

Highlights Along the Route:

Adventure awaits beyond the roads too. Hunt for seashells and fossilized shark teeth along the beach, or paddle through salt marshes and estuaries with St. Augustine Eco Tours or GeoTrippin Adventure Company.

Fishing is a year-round attraction along Florida’s Historic Coast with access to inshore backwaters and deep-sea experiences. Whether from a pier, boat, or beach, anglers can catch flounder, trout, redfish, tarpon, kingfish, and sailfish.

Some of the area’s most popular fishing tournaments include the Bluewater Fishing Tournament in May. In June Old City Elite Kingfish Tournament, Old School Kingfish Shootout, Fired Up Kingfish Tournament and the Annual Wildwood Fishing tournaments take place.

In the Fall, the 904 Redfish Tournament takes place in September and the El Pescado Billfish Tournament take place in November.

Cycling Adventure

There are numerous bicycling trails throughout the park systems of Florida’s Historic Coast, including Moses Creek Conservation Area, Stokes Landing Conservation Area, the the Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) Reserve, and Anastasia State Park. For those who prefer road cycling, a ride along scenic A1A offers breathtaking coastal views and memorable experiences.

Cyclists can also explore the Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Trail, part of the larger St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop. This scenic paved trail connects the St. Johns River town of Palatka to historic St. Augustine, guiding riders through agricultural landscapes, the charming town of Hastings, and unspoiled stretches of Northeast Florida countryside.

Fun Facts about Florida’s Historic Coast

  1. Ponce de Leon landed just south of Ponte Vedra Beach in 1513, claiming “La Florida” for Spain.
  2. Ponte Vedra was once a mining town called Mineral City after valuable minerals were discovered in 1912.
  3. Treasury Street in St. Augustine is the narrowest street in the U.S.—just seven feet wide!
  4. Thomas Edison installed electric lights at the Ponce de Leon Hotel before the White House had electricity.
  5. Fort Mose was the first legally sanctioned African settlement in the U.S.
  6. St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the continental U.S.
  7. Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S.
  8. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is the oldest Catholic parish in the U.S.
  9. The Oldest Wooden School House still stands in St. Augustine, dating back to the early 1700s.
  10. Ponte Vedra Beach hosts THE PLAYERS Championship, often dubbed the “fifth major” in golf.
  11. TPC Sawgrass, home of the iconic island green on hole 17, is one of the most recognized courses in the world.
  12. Shark teeth fossils, millions of years old, can still be found on Ponte Vedra’s beaches.
  13. Hastings, the “Potato Capital of Florida,” was founded by Thomas Hastings, cousin of Henry Flagler, to supply produce to luxury hotels.
  14. St. Augustine Amphitheatre is one of the top-ranked amphitheaters in the world.

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