Embark on a journey through Florida’s Historic Coast, where themed trails guide you to culinary delights, handcrafted spirits, sweet treats, and historic landmarks. Each trail offers a unique way to explore the region’s rich history and vibrant culture.
Florida’s Historic Coast has always attracted explorers, from Ponce de Leon to Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles. Visitors today continue to seek new adventures along its sandy beaches, guided by popular trails that promise to inspire new discoveries.
Discover more than 460 years of stories while exploring St. Augustine on foot. Wander along St. George Street past colonial-era buildings, the Castillo de San Marcos, and Mission Nombre de Dios, where layers of history unfold through guided and self-guided walking trails. From Spanish explorers and African American pioneers to Gullah Geechee communities and Minorcan families, each step reveals the people who shaped the city’s enduring character. Deepen the experience with immersive options like the Colonial Quarter Experience, authentic storytelling on a St. Augustine True History Tour, a relaxed stroll with St. Augustine Free Walking Tours, or guided explorations with Spyglass Travel & Tours. For a wider view, pair historic insight with coastal scenery on a St. Augustine Land & Sea Tour that brings both the past and the shoreline to life.
Datil peppers, Minorcan chowder, empanadas, and cornbread are more than local favorites—they’re cultural heirlooms. Follow the Flavors of the Coast Trail to experience stories told through food, where heritage-inspired recipes passed down through generations are reimagined by today’s chefs. Savor modern interpretations at Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen, Aunt Kate’s on the River, Pesca Rooftop, Castillo Craft Bar + Kitchen, and Asado Life, where tradition and creativity come together in every bite—and every sip.
Experience Florida’s spirits at The St. Augustine Distillery, where handcrafted bourbon, rum, gin, and vodka are made from locally-sourced ingredients. Nearby, Bourbon & Boards serves small-batch bourbons and charcuterie. A short walk away, City Gate Spirits offers tastings of their unique, locally-crafted liquors, including moonshine, vodka, and whiskey. In Ponte Vedra Beach, The Bourbon Library at Valley Smoke BBQ provides a cozy setting for bourbon and scotch tastings. Wine lovers can tour San Sebastian Winery, while beer enthusiasts can sample brews at Dog Rose Brewing, Bog Brewing, Bootlegger Beach Brewing and Old Coast Ales Brewery and Taproom.
St. George Street is a haven for sweet treats, starting with Tedi’s Ice Cream and Café de Hidalgo’s homemade gelato. The Spanish Bakery and Café, Whetstone Chocolates, and Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops offer delightful sweets. On Aviles Street, Peace Pie serves artisan ice cream sandwiches, and Claude’s Chocolate on Granada Street offers handcrafted bonbons and truffles. Uptown, Crème de la Cocoa provides French macarons and jewel-like desserts. At the beach, Rita’s Italian Ice, Cone Heads, and Mayday Ice Cream are popular stops.
St. Augustine’s coffee shops offer more than just coffee. Sweetwater Coffee Bar and Gallery features local artwork, and Witty Whisker Café combines coffee with cat adoption. The Crucial Coffee Café, located in a former blacksmith shop, offers a historic vibe. Juniper Market Café and DOS Coffee and Wine provide cozy atmospheres uptown, while Beachside Caffé by YAMO on Vilano Beach offers a beachside coffee experience. Other local favorites include Kookaburra Coffee and Vilano Coffee Shop.
Explore the vibrant African American history of Lincolnville along the Lincolnville Legacy Trail, a self-guided experience connecting significant landmarks such as historic homes and churches, community murals, the Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center, and the ACCORD Civil Rights Museum, highlighting the neighborhood’s cultural legacy, Civil Rights milestones, and the jazz legends who once lived and performed here.
Discover the enduring influence of Spain on St. Augustine’s architecture, cuisine, and faith. Highlights include the Cathedral Basilica, Avilés Street, and tapas-inspired dishes at local favorites such as La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs, Casa Maya, Spanish Bakery, Paladar Cuban Eatery, and Columbia Restaurant, where Spanish flavors blend with coastal flair. Throughout the city, iron balconies, sun-drenched courtyards, and colorful tile mosaics offer lasting reminders of centuries of Iberian heritage woven into St. Augustine’s unmistakable charm.
Experience how the natural landscape has shaped life and culture throughout the region. Bike the Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Trail, kayak through winding salt marshes, or explore the shores and trails of Anastasia State Park to discover places where history and nature intersect. Listen for birdsong along paths once traveled by soldiers and paddle waterways used by Timucua, Spanish, and African settlers. Continue the journey at the St. Johns Botanical Gardens & Nature Preserve, where native flora and global plant species create a living tribute to biodiversity and cultural connection. For a small-town stop rich in heritage, stroll Hastings Main Street in downtown Hastings, where local flavor and welcoming faces make every visit memorable.
St. Augustine’s Historic District is a treasure trove for history and architecture buffs. The Castillo de San Marcos, Hotel Ponce de Leon (now Flagler College), Hotel Alcazar (now the Lightner Museum), and Casa Monica Resort & Spa showcase Gilded Age splendor. The Villa Zorayda Museum evokes the Alhambra Palace, while the Gonzalez-Alvarez House (The Oldest House Museum Complex) and Ximenez-Fatio House offer glimpses into colonial life. The Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum, Pena-Peck House, and St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine highlight local history and art. Beyond the Historic District, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, and Fort Matanzas National Monument await exploration. Happy trails!
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