ST. AUGUSTINE & PONTE VEDRA

Florida’s Historic Coast encompasses the entirety of St. Johns County including St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches.

St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States, features more than 60 historic sites and attractions, national monuments, architecturally-rich churches and unspoiled natural settings – all providing a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. With nearly 500 years of colourful local history to draw from, themed attractions and historical sites in St. Augustine bring the history and romance of the Old City to life.

Ponte Vedra Beach is home to the PGA TOUR and ATP Tour; world-class golf and tennis facilities; award-winning spas; an abundance of boutique shopping; and the finest collection of recreational and social amenities available.

The Beaches of Florida’s Historic Coast span 42 miles from Ponte Vedra, in the north, to Marineland, The activities are varied and plentiful - from swimming and surfing to shell collecting and hiking. The beaches of this beautiful stretch of Atlantic shoreline offer year-round fun in a seaside paradise.

A broad selection of resorts, hotels, condominium rentals, vacation homes and Bed & Breakfast Inns provide a variety of lodging choices for visitors. Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is Five Diamond AAA rated. Renaissance World Golf Resort, The Lodge & Club at Ponte Vedra Beach and the Casa Monica Hotel are Four Diamond AAA rated.

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is 50 minutes north of St. Augustine; 40 minutes from Ponte Vedra. The Northeast Florida Regional Airport is available for private and chartered planes, a 5-minute drive to downtown St. Augustine or 20-minute to Ponte Vedra. By car, both destinations are easily accessible from the north and south by Interstate 95 and from the west by Interstate 10.

Top 10 Must Do’s

1. See the 16th century Spanish militia re-enactors fire the cannons at the Castillo de San Marcos, a national monument and the oldest masonry fort in the United States.

2. Take a sip of the water at the famous Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.

3. Climb the 219 steps to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and take in the spectacular view.

4. Play one of several “bucket list” quality golf courses including the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course, the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club’s Lagoon course, the Slammer & Squire or the King & Bear at the World Golf Village.

5. Take a walk on the beach at Anastasia State Park, one of Florida’s most popular parks. The northern three miles are for beach walkers only and the farther you walk, the fewer people you encounter.

6. Drive the A1A Scenic Byway, a 72-mile mostly two lane road along the Atlantic Ocean.

7. Visit the Pirate and Treasure Museum, which contains the world’s largest collection of authentic pirate artefacts including an actual pirate flag and treasure chest.

8. Explore the opulence and architecture of the Hotel Ponce de Leon, the modern day campus of Flagler College. The building built by Henry Flagler features 79 Tiffany stained-glass windows, ornate woodwork, and the story of the man who has been called the “Father of Tourism”.

9. Enjoy a feast for the senses by dining in one of the many unique restaurants and bistros on Florida’s Historic Coast. Year-round fresh seafood, locally sourced produce and cultural influences make the area a foodie’s dream come true.

10. Arts and culture are abundant on Florida’s Historic Coast. The area’s nearly 450 year history provides a rich tapestry of culture and a welcoming environment for the arts.

Don’t Miss In 2014
JANUARY 2014

The famed Nights of Lights holiday festival features the illumination of over 3 million white lights throughout the historic district of the nation’s oldest city draws tens of thousands of visitors and holiday revelers each year.
MAY 5TH – 11TH 2014

THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Golf’s greatest players compete at TPC Sawgrass – THE PLAYERS Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach. THE PLAYERS Championship is recognized by PGA TOUR members as “their” championship. It features one of the most coveted titles in professional golf.
JANUARY 20TH – JULY 15TH 2014

Journeys: 450 Years of the African American Experience. This comprehensive exhibition is part of an extended exhibition program called, Tapestry: The Cultural Threads of First America. The first leg or “thread” of this exhibition is a retrospective of African-American history beginning in 1565 when both freed and enslaved Blacks landed with St. Augustine founder Pedro Menendez, through Fort Mose, the first freed Black settlement in the U.S., to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and beyond. Located at the St. Augustine Visitors Information Center.