St. Augustine Vacation Rentals

Three can’t miss trails for bikers–Anastasia State Park,Vilano Beach Causeway,St. Augustine Beach Boardwalk, and Matanzas Riverwalk. Anastasia State Park’s four miles of sandy beaches and roads winding in the park invite bikers to ride along the coast and explore. If you want your ride with a side of sweeping ocean views of the Vilano Beach Causeway’s bike lane connects riders from St. Augustine to Vilano Beach with views of the Atlantic and St. Johns River along the way. Walkers, runners, and bikers all hit St. Augustine Beach Boardwalk for its views of the Atlantic and fun, flat paths. St. Augustine also features bikeable lanes throughout town if you want to ditch the car.

The Gulf Stream makes St. Augustine an angler’s paradise with waters teeming with marlin, salmon, and grouper. In fact, certain charters target specific kinds of fish to hone in on to score a big catch. Grab a kayak, boat, or canoe for inshore and backwater fishing along the The Matanzas River, The Intracoastal Waterway, The Salt Run, and The Tolomato River where the trout, redfish, and flounder bite. Whether you set off along the St. Johns River or head out on the Atlantic, you can curate the perfect fishing experience.

The sun is shining and the links are calling! Worldwide, Florida stands out for the numerous golf courses dotting the state, and the St. Augustine area summons golfers to tee off. The World Golf Hall of Fame offers two courses–King & Bear and Slammer & Squire–that give golfers the experiences of an open, links-style layout as well as traditional Florida courses peppered with natural elements that bring golfers closer to nature. Ponte Vedra Inn and Club’s Ocean and Lagoon Courses stand out and have been hosting golfers since 1928. The par-71 Ocean Course features expansive fairways and new green complexes. 

The Lagoon Course meanders through waterways and stands at par-70. Head over to The Golf Club at South Hampton, a public course offering a laid-back vibe to enjoy the game. It doesn’t get more luxurious than Hammock Beach’s two courses that earned Golfweek’s 2020 Top 100 Resort Courses. Simply put, you will find whatever course suits your game when you visit St. Augustine.

We in 2023 may have plentiful anti aging potions, but the desire to stay young is nothing new. The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park tells the story of Juan Ponce de León, who in 1513 took to the springs in his attempt to combat aging. You, too, can drink from the spring and see if you notice any benefits. The spring’s park also highlights the history of the Timucuan, who first lived on the land.

Surfers catch waves at Vilano Beach, Crescent Beach, and St. Augustine Beach, especially in the fall and spring when the waves heighten and the thrills heat up. Take a lesson at one of the area’s surf schools and test out your new skills on the Floridian waves. Kayakers have no shortage of waterways to explore, whether it’s on the ocean or on the river.  Head out on your own or book a tour. If being on the water isn’t enough, take to the skies when you parasail over the beach, the Matanzas River, or the Intracoastal Waterway and catch stunning marine views. Add snorkeling and dolphin adventures that get you up close to these amazing marine creatures, and you could spend your entire St. Augustine stay waterside.

St. Augustine hosts Florida’s oldest dining hub, the Columbia Restaurant. Since 1905, this St. Augustine hallmark has tempted diners with Cuban and Spanish-inspired dishes that patrons enjoy in a space outfitted with lush palms and grand archways. Of course sitting on the water means that many spots serve the freshest catches to satisfy the seafood enthusiast. Not every spot is upscale–plenty of cafes, casual eateries, and a growing brewery and wine scene means that you can mix your menu up during your stay.

No stranger to the arts, St. Augustine’s cultural spots make this Florida city more than a typical oceanside stay. St. Augustine Amphitheatre–but call it The Amp like the locals do–is a 4,000-set outdoor amphitheater that has entertained past guests with concerts from Florida legend Jimmy Buffet, Bruch Springsteen, and other international acts. Book your ticket for an evening of musical fun. If you tour the Lightner Museum and find yourself feeling a New York state of mind, it’s not just you–Henry John Hardenbergh can add this Florida hotel-turned-museum to his other projects like NYC’s Plaza Hotel. The museum’s highlights include Victorian antiques, historic mechanical musical instruments (including a 17th-century Stradivarius violin), and the popular Tiffany glass exhibition. The Moorish-style
Villa Zorayda is a former mansion and now a museum that showcases Spanish and Moorish design and hosts events throughout the year.

Amble along the cobblestones lining St. George Street, the country’s oldest continuously inhabited street and take in shops and restaurants that bring this area into the modern day. Everything from souvenirs to art to antiques make St. George Street both a historical can’t-miss and a retail therapy destination. Heritage Walk’s outdoor footprint means that you can pop in and out of national chains to score the latest finds. Bargain hunters can find deals in two outlet centers–St. Augustine Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlets St. Augustine and vintage lovers can try their luck at the Anastasia Flea Market and the St. Augustine Flea Market.

Start with Castillo de San Marcos, the US’ oldest masonry fort erected when Spain laid claim to Florida. Today, the National Park Service has taken over and invites visitors to meander through the dungeons, barracks, and passages. Take part in the fort’s ranger program called “Canning and Firing” where you can learn how cannons were used for warcraft in the 18th century. You can also explore at your own pace with the National Park Service app that fills visitors in on the monument’s rich history.

Another testament to the area’s history is the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, displaying the nation’s oldest lighthouse. Climb the 165 feet to the top or explore the museum’s hands-on activities like the Shipyard Playground and Heritage Boat Works’ activities dedicated to sustaining wooden boat building today. The Maritime Archaeology and Education Center takes people back to 1737 with its lighthouse history. These features and more make this a must-add stop to your St. Augustine tour.

Arrrghhh…come and learn about pirates’ booty lost to the seas! Shipwreck tours, prizes, and artifacts from The S.S. Central America, The Nuestra Señora de Atocha, and even the R.M.S. Titanic take modern explorers on a maritime journey through the past. An art gallery and store round out this treasure hunt.

Get up close (but not too close) with more than 24 species of crocodiles and other wildlife at this exhibit that has been dazzling locals and visitors since 1893. Come see all stages of crocodilian life from hatchling to adult and take in the more than 2,000 alligators and crocodiles at the park. Educational activities, exhibitions, and animal shows educate and entertain, and the facility’s wetland education means that you can walk away with knowledge not only about these fascinating Florida creatures but also the habitats in which they live.