Each year, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches, known as Florida’s Historic Coast welcomes visitors from around the world to enjoy its unique charms. One of the region’s main attractions is the 42 miles of pristine beaches that stretch from Ponte Vedra south to Marineland. Tucked into a slight nook on North Florida’s Atlantic Coast, the beaches provide a place for play and relaxation, a protected habitat for numerous animal and plant species, and a barrier that protects many waterfront homes, hotels, and businesses. Florida’s Historic Coast residents and officials are passionate about preserving this precious resource for today and future generations while still providing access to an important part of the destination. And soon, visitors and residents can enjoy lush, freshly restored beaches!
Much like the historic architecture that lines St. Augustine’s Historic District and the lush vegetation that thrives throughout Florida’s Historic Coast, resources like the beaches need regular and highly specialized care to ensure their integrity and natural beauty stay intact. St. Johns County, home to St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches, is taking measures to protect its beaches by performing beneficial restoration projects with minimal impact on beachgoers through this summer. The short and sweet of it – the beaches are open and ready to welcome visitors.
Visitors and residents can plan their beach visits around the current work sites by visiting the St. Johns County Beaches website. Information about habitat conservation projects can also be found here, as well as the link to download the St. Johns County Reach the Beach Mobile App.
The beach is ready and waiting. As it has been for generations, surfing on Florida’s Historic Coast is a favorite pastime here. The Springtime winds kick up just enough waves for buggy boarding, traditional surfing, and the thrills of kite surfing. There are plenty of surf shops to set you up with the right gear. Once summer hits, plan to swim in the calm ocean waters, relax and soak up the sun on the newly restored beaches. What better way to see long expanses of the Atlantic Ocean than to bike the beach? Riding at low tide offers beach bikers a nice firm sand base. And, nothing beats a drive along the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway – A Must Do Experience.
There are several beautiful oceanfront resorts and hotels, as well as vacation rentals and campgrounds along Florida’s Historic Coast. Something for every budget and style. Use our trip planner to plan your seaside getaways to St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and The Beaches today. We’ll have a beach chair waiting for you.
Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, the rural beauty of Hastings, Elkton, St. Johns, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. Visitor Information Centers are located at 10 Castillo Drive, St. Augustine; 200 Solana Rd. Suite B, Ponte Vedra Beach; and at the St. Johns County Beach Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. For advance travel information call 1-800-653-2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau websites at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com or www.ViajaStAugustine.com.
