St. Augustine

[AJCts411]

First timers to St. Augustine leaving in 2 weeks. (retired couple) We will be staying near the Bridge of Lions but do have a car. Looking for recommendations for must see and off the beaten path things to do/see/experience. The one day pass trolley is on our list. Fun things, restaurants, night life w/ music. Wide range of interests. (If I have the wrong forum, please move)

 

[Cornell]

If you are willing to do a day trip type thing, visit the Riverside/ Avondale Historic District in Jacksonville. Beautiful old homes. Nice shopping district w/interesting shops and restaurants.

I also love museums and enjoyed the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine.

 

[fillde]

We have enjoyed our trips to St Augustine. The Forts, lighthouse, and beaches are great places to visit. If you’re an early riser don’t miss the sunrise.

 

[moonstone]

We have been visiting St. Augustine for well over 40 years and now own a condo over on Anastasia island. Parking can be a nightmare so you picked a good place to stay if walking isnt a problem. There is a multi-level parking garage right next to the Visitors Ctr. (lots of good info in there) off W. Castillo Drive if you need it.
For sure walk around the old colonial part of town (St. George St...), it's pretty much all pedestrian traffic only. There are lots of shops, restaurants and bars in that area. A tour of Flagler College is nice, they occupy a large portion of downtown. Walk across to the Castillo San Marcos (the fort) and along the break wall there. The Alligator farm is good if you like reptiles (there are much more than just alligators there). Take a drive across the Bridge of Lions over to St. Augustine Beach. Park in one of the beach parking lots -a good one is by The World Famous Oasis Restaurant at Ocean Trace Rd. (our timeshare is down there by the beach) and walk on the beautiful wide beach. There are some nice restaurants right by the beach if you want a view while you eat. They are The Beachcomber on A Street at the beach in St. Augustine Beach or up at the north end of town take the bridge to Vilano Beach and go up to Aunt Kates (on the intercoastal) or The Reef on the ocean, or there is The Beaches at Vilano restaurant on the intercostal by the old bridge & boat ramp, almost under the new bridge.

Enjoy St. Augustine, we'll be back there March 5th! Cant wait!

~Diane

 

[ronandjoan]

We’ve been coming 20 years to the St augustine beach timeshare: The Townhouses at St Aug Beach and Tennis Club, across from the Oasis restaurant Moonstone mentioned. The beach is GREAT.
Moonstone mentioned most things.. when in the Old Town see the arch, visit the oldest wooden school .
Don’t miss the Ponce de Leon’s Historic Park! So much there.
If you like museums, see the Lightner — formerly the Alcazar hotel. From 1888, including a large historic swimming pool and mechanical Victorian musical instruments.
Do you want to climb stairs (I don’t)— there’s a lighthouse.
Take the small ferry to historic Fort Matanzas — south of town.
Also south of town, Washington Oaks Gardens state Park
And Marineland with a Dolphin Adventure.

 

[TUGBrian]

just missed the end of night of lights!

st augustine is a wonderful place to visit....and has a fairly unique option that allows you to drive right on the beach to spend the day there if you like (fees apply). hope the weather warms up for you next week!

 

[moonstone]

...and has a fairly unique option that allows you to drive right on the beach to spend the day there if you like (fees apply).

I believe there is a rule now that you need to have 4 wheel (not all wheel) drive to drive on the beaches. A favorite pastime when we sit on the upper floor balconies at The Beach Club (our timeshare) used to be watching cars get stuck in the sand then get pulled out. Last spring and fall we saw a sign on the toll booth stating 4 wheel drive vehicles only. We normally just use our 2 wheelers -bicycles!

~Diane

 

[TUGBrian]

havent been yet this year but there are absolutely areas like that (and have signs posted as a warning before you enter).

though last year im not sure I ever had to engage 4wd in any of our trips! the sand sure can get soft for sure!

 

[ronandjoan]

The sand dunes change every year and the sand seems deeper and softer this year than before

 

[AJCts411]

Thanks all for the great trip tips. Definitely will do the Hop on hop off trolley to catch some of the above. Staying on the east side of the bridge, we will be walking over the bridge and explore St. George St. and the area. An exploratory drive is a definite, but I'll stay off the beach lol. .

 

[Cornell]

just missed the end of night of lights!

st augustine is a wonderful place to visit....and has a fairly unique option that allows you to drive right on the beach to spend the day there if you like (fees apply). hope the weather warms up for you next week!

I visited for the first time at Christmas time. Was blown away by how many people were there.

 

[TUGBrian]

I visited for the first time at Christmas time. Was blown away by how many people were there.

yea its gotten pretty ridiculous especially on weekends. and parking is an absolute nightmare.

 

[Talent312]

For anyone visiting St. Augustine, I recommend
a meal at Columbia Restaurant. Great ambiance.

Historic District, St. Augustine | Columbia Restaurant

www.columbiarestaurant.com

 

[jmhpsu93]

For anyone visiting St. Augustine, I recommend
a meal at Columbia Restaurant. Great ambiance.

Historic District, St. Augustine | Columbia Restaurant

www.columbiarestaurant.com

I second that recommendation.

 

[TheHolleys87]

For anyone visiting St. Augustine, I recommend
a meal at Columbia Restaurant. Great ambiance.

Historic District, St. Augustine | Columbia Restaurant

www.columbiarestaurant.com

Oh yes, we haven’t been to St. Augustine, but we’ve eaten at the Columbia Restaurant in Celebration (near WDW) several times and enjoyed each time very much.

 

[Brett]

and should you have a desire to see more alligators there is
https://www.alligatorfarm.com

 

[susieq]

The Beach Club at St. Augustine was our first exchange ~ some 20+ years ago. It was absolutely wonderful, and we'd love to go back.

 

[moonstone]

The Beach Club at St. Augustine was our first exchange ~ some 20+ years ago. It was absolutely wonderful, and we'd love to go back.

We love it there too -so much that we bought a condo up the road so we could spend many months there. DH's family had been vacationing in St. Augustine before we met & he took me there the year after we got married. We've been vacationing there for over 45 years. We bought at The Beach Club pre-construction (it was a Holiday Inn) in 1982. Now that we stay in our condo we rent out our week to cover the maintenance fee.

We have seen a lot of changes in St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach over the years.


~Diane