Florida’s Historic Coast is Full of Fresh, New Places, Spaces & Events

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

St. Augustine, Fla. (November 1, 2023) – Fall is a season of renewal and Florida’s Historic Coast is the place for the newest and freshest experiences. From the most anticipated restaurant openings to the most sumptuously upgraded hotel suites, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches have got it going on.

The hotels and restaurants on Florida’s Historic Coast just keep getting better and better, with many of the area’s most popular spots revealing luxurious improvements and exciting new concepts.

The internationally-recognized Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach recently opened the brand-new Cabana Beach Club featuring 26 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beachfront, watersports, a junior Olympic pool, and three distinct eateries. Open to the public, the 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop provides spectacular views of the Atlantic. Their menu features fresh seafood, small plates, elevated cocktails, and wines. Cabana Beach Club members and resort guests enjoy access to the Sea Porch Dining Club, featuring member-inspired specialties like crispy calamari salad and the lobster roll and Sharkey’s Pool Bar & Café, a poolside retreat for handheld classics and beach-inspired drinks.

Setting the standard for elegant beachside experiences for over 90 years, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club unveiled 64 beautifully-renovated luxury beachfront guest rooms in their Summer House and St. Johns House properties. Known for its impeccable experiences and amenities, the Inn created a Croquet Lawn and Bocce Court for guests and members to enjoy. The tournament-style lawn has two golf croquet courts, each accommodating up to four players. The courts are available daily from 9am until dusk.

The Casa Monica Resort & Spa is launching a reimagined restaurant concept that harkens back to its beginning years. Cordova, echoing the name of the original eatery, 95 Cordova, will be an indulgent coastal chophouse comprised of 145 indoor seats, with a lounge, private dining room, and intimate wine room. The menu is inspired by the bright, fresh cuisine of Spain and Morocco and showcases classic chophouse favorites, as well as fresh local seafood, accompanied by an elevated wine collection. Look for the launch in mid-November.

St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches welcomed autumn with a host of new eateries, hotels, and experiences. The fresh, new spaces are just waiting for eager visitors!

The oceanside community of Vilano Beach is now home to the highly-anticipated Hyatt Place Vilano Beach. The hotel marries luxury amenities with a fun and funky Miami Art Deco vibe that is fresh and welcoming. This new construction has 120 guest rooms, a second-floor swimming pool, plentiful parking, and large event spaces and lays just steps from the beach. It notably features an all-new restaurant conceptualized by lauded local restaurateur Michael Lugo. Pesca Vilano features globally-inspired coastal cuisine with bold Latin flavors and a cheeky imagination. The indoor dining area on the main floor features fine dining and an expansive wine list, while the rooftop offers a curated menu and crafted cocktails with a one-of-a-kind view of St. Augustine and its waterways.

What happens when a butcher and a barista fall in love and go into business? Butcher and Bean, St. Augustine’s first craft meat market and espresso bar. Located at 2796 US Highway 1, this unique storefront sells classic and custom cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and chicken, a variety of house-made sausages and hand-selected and crafted espressos and espresso drinks.

Area favorite Supremo Grocery & Meat Market has unveiled its third location, right in the heart of the small business district in uptown St. Augustine. Located at 162 San Marco Avenue, this Latin American store offers staple items, like high-quality meats, fresh produce, cheeses and drinks, while their in-house taqueria serves freshly prepared specialties, including tacos, burritos, tortas, platillos, and more.

A new concept, Dining at the Plaza, celebrated the successful launch of their evening offering, Bourbon & Boards. Crafted with nightlife in mind, Bourbon & Boards is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7-11pm. They serve up a curated selection of over 137 bottles of bourbon, 900 bottles of wine, hand-crafted cocktails, and late-night charcuterie boards, flatbreads, and specially-made tapas. Live jazz musicians and bands create an intimate, speakeasy atmosphere. Dining at the Plaza is also home to the Ancient City Brunch Bar and Ancient City Supper Club.

Florida’s Historic Coast is also excited to announce The Tasting Tours, a popular culinary tour company, has a new place to call home. Located in the historic Solla-Carcaba Cigar Factory at 88 Riberia Street, Suite 250, in downtown St. Augustine, embark on a journey of flavors and experiences like never before as you indulge in the world of wine, culture, and shared moments. The space is perfect for weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations.

There’s no shortage of cultural, ecological, and educational experiences available in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches. In addition to the tried and true stand-bys, Florida’s Historic Coast has some new offerings destined to intrigue and excite!

Occupying the former Hotel Alcazar, a Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, the Lightner Museum offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design. The Lightner Museum is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding and the 135th anniversary of its iconic home with a series of new exhibitions and events. The latest major touring exhibit to open at Lightner Museum is The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art, featuring the organic furniture of Louis Majorelle, the alluring posters of Alphonse Mucha, and the luminous works of Louis Comfort Tiffany. The exhibition, which will be displayed in the Lightner Museum’s Grand Ballroom Gallery, will be on view from November 17, 2023 through March 15, 2024.

The St. Johns Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve is now open, nestled in the historic Florida forests along Deep Creek in Hastings. A haven for rare and endangered flora and fauna from around the world. The Preserve is a beautifully lush landscape to explore and admire. They offer scheduled tours and educational opportunities where visitors can learn more about plants, wildlife and the resources needed to grow and nurture the array of vegetation successfully.

Get excited, The Waterworks has just announced the return of the Live from The Waterworks: A Gamble Rogers Concert Series. The series features intimate performances by prominent folk musicians as a tribute to Gamble Rogers, a renowned musician and storyteller who is regarded as the ambassador of Florida folk culture. The monthly concerts begin October 21, 2023, and continues through June 2024. Presented in partnership by the St. Johns Cultural Council, City of St. Augustine, and Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, these live music experiences support the annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, taking place April 14-16, 2024.

Learn to sail on the crystal blue waters surrounding historic St. Augustine with St. Augustine Sailing School’s American Sailing Association courses. Their experienced captains and instructors provide students with the knowledge and experience to be confident and safe on all their sailing adventures. Or indulge in a shared or private charter and sail the waters around St. Augustine. Passengers can relax and enjoy the scenery and the abundant wildlife from sea turtles and dolphins offshore to the manatees, roseate spoonbills, and herons of the marshlands.

No matter how you stay, eat, or play, you’ll fall in love with Florida’s Historic Coast. Plan your trip today and enjoy autumn the Florida way. Photos available here.


Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra Beach, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. For more information, call 1.800.653.2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. Check us out on social media Instagram @FloridasHistoricCoast @ViajaStAugustine, Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine and Facebook.com/ViajaStAugustine and Twitter @FlHistoricCoast