Taste It. Run It. Restore It. See it Sparkle. Stay Awhile.
October 2026- Six Story Ideas from Florida’s Historic Coast
COME HUNGRY, STAY A FEW DAYS
Florida’s Historic Coast is becoming a destination for travelers who plan their trips around food.
There has never been a better time to come hungry to Florida’s Historic Coast. A new generation of chefs and restaurateurs is transforming the dining scene in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches, with MICHELIN-recognized restaurants, chef-driven concepts, exciting food events that focus on the region’s culinary heritage, creative cocktail programs and experiences ranging from sophisticated tasting menus to casual coastal dining. Add locally distinctive flavors such as the datil pepper and Minorcan clam chowder, farm-to-table experiences, food tours and a growing collection of restaurants worth building an itinerary around, and the destination offers plenty to explore one meal at a time. Come for dinner—but plan to stay a few days.
COME FOR THE RUN—STAY FOR THE FUN
Plan a “Racecation” on Florida’s Historic Coast.
From fall through winter, cooler temperatures and a packed calendar of running events give travelers plenty of reasons to turn race day into a getaway on Florida’s Historic Coast. The season includes the DONNA 5K at TPC Sawgrass, Pink Up the Pace, EPIC-Cure 5K, Jailbreak 5K, Endless Summer 10K/5K, Thanksgiving runs and Santa Suits on the Loose 5K, followed in the new year by the Matanzas 5000 5K & Fun Run, Nocatee’s Totally Awesome 80s 5K & Fun Run, Lighthouse 5K & Fun Run and the milestone 20th DONNA Marathon Weekend in neighboring Jacksonville Beach. Crossing the finish line is only the beginning: runners can extend their “racecation” with great dining, beaches, spas and wellness experiences, distinctive accommodations and plenty of ways to relax and recharge before heading home.
RESTORE YOURSELF ON FLORIDA’S HISTORIC COAST
Luxury spas, Pilates, yoga and holistic experiences make wellness a reason to get away.
A wellness getaway on Florida’s Historic Coast can be as indulgent, active or restorative as the traveler wants to make it. In Ponte Vedra Beach, resort spas set the stage for a luxury escape, from the expansive Spa at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club to the Zen-inspired Sawgrass Spa. In St. Augustine, guests can pair a stay at Casa Monica Resort & Spa with treatments at Poseidon Spa or explore wellness beyond the traditional treatment room at Pilates Yoga Loft, with Pilates mat and reformer classes, yoga, acupuncture, Reiki, sound baths, wellness coaching and other holistic experiences. Add salt therapy, float tanks and infrared sauna at St. Augustine’s Salt Spa, holistic treatments at Circles of Wellness and additional spa and self-care experiences throughout St. Augustine Beach, and travelers can create a personalized retreat combining luxury, movement, mindfulness and a slower coastal pace.
NIGHTS OF LIGHTS: THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT
New technology makes experiencing St. Augustine’s celebrated holiday tradition easier.
St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights returns Nov. 21 through Jan. 18, transforming the Nation’s Oldest City with millions of sparkling white lights—but one of this season’s biggest stories may be in visitors’ pockets. After nearly 90,000 downloads during its first season and recognition with a 2026 Bronze Flagler Award, the free Nights of Lights app returns with new tools designed to make navigating one of St. Augustine’s busiest and most magical seasons easier. Developed by Florida’s Historic Coast in collaboration with Visit St. Augustine and the City of St. Augustine, the app puts parking, free shuttle information, maps, events, dining, live music and more at visitors’ fingertips. Enhanced search, redesigned maps, a new visual display of parking availability and additional enhancements scheduled to roll out in mid-October give travelers a smarter way to spend less time figuring out where to go—and more time enjoying the glow.
TWO GETAWAYS IN ONE
Why choose between a sophisticated beach resort escape and the energy of St. Augustine when you can experience both?
Florida’s Historic Coast offers travelers two distinctly different vacation personalities within one easy getaway. Start in Ponte Vedra Beach, where oceanfront resorts, luxurious spas, elevated dining and an unhurried atmosphere create the setting for a polished coastal escape. Then shift to St. Augustine, where boutique and luxury accommodations, a walkable downtown, MICHELIN-recognized dining, creative cocktails, rooftop views and an evolving collection of experiences create an entirely different energy. St. Augustine Beach adds another laid-back dimension with casual dining and an easy coastal vibe. Rather than choosing one style of vacation, travelers can combine them—indulging, dining, relaxing and discovering just how much variety can fit into a few days on Florida’s Historic Coast.