'''St. Augustine''' [http://www.getaway4florida.com/] is located in St. Johns County in North Florida, just 30 minutes south of Jacksonville.

Understand

St Augustine is a small jewel of a city on the east coast, full of romantic ambiance and old world charm. It is best known for its remarkable historic streets, Spanish style architecture, and panoramic bay. Do take time to wander down St. George street, a promenade of sorts, and enjoy the art galleries, quaint shops, and restaurants.

History

St. Augustine is best known as the oldest European settlement in the United States. Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon, claimed the land now known as Florida in the name of Spain on March 27, 1513. Originally the land was named La Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". The city was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565.

Climate

St. Augustine has a humid subtropical climate, with mild weather during winters and hot weather during summers. High temperatures average 64 to 91 __F (18-33 __C) throughout the year. High heat indices are not uncommon for the summer months in the St. Augustine area. High temperatures can reach mid to high 90s with heat index ranges of 105-115 __F. It is common for daily thunderstorms to erupt during a standard summer afternoon. These are caused by the heating of the land and water, combined with extremely high humidity.

During winter, the area can experience hard freezes during the night. Such cold weather is usually short lived, as the city averages only 15 nights below freezing. Even rarer in St. Augustine than freezing temperatures is snow. When snow does fall, it usually melts before touching the ground, or upon making contact with the ground. Most residents of St. Augustine can remember accumulated snow on only one occasion?a thin ground cover that occurred a few days before Christmas of 1989.

St. Augustine has suffered less damage from hurricanes than most other east coast cities. The city has only received one direct hit from a hurricane since 1871, although St. Augustine has experienced hurricane or near-hurricane conditions more than a dozen times due to storms passing through the state from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, or passing to the north or south in the Atlantic and brushing the area. The strongest effect on St. Augustine was from Hurricane Dora in 1964, the only recorded storm to hit the First Coast with sustained hurricane force winds.

Rainfall averages around 50 inches a year, with the wettest months being June through September.

Get in

By car

St Augustine can easily be reached by car. Interstate 95 is just west of the city. Take exit 318 if traveling south on I-95, exit 298 if traveling north on I-95. Major highways entering the city include US-1, US-90, SR-16, SR-207 and FL-A1A.

The St. Augustine Parking Garage, an enormous, multi-level, state-of-the-art facility was opened in 2006. It is located across from Ripley's and at the far end of St. George Street. Limited parking can also be found on the street as well as at the Castillo De San Marcos parking lot (charge).

By air

'''St Augustine/St. Johns County Airport''' ({{ICAO|KSGJ}}), Phone: (904) 209-0090, [http://www.staugustineairport.com]. 8,000 ft. runways accommodating most private and corporate jets. No commercial service is available at this time.

'''Jacksonville International Airport''' ({{IATA|JAX}}) [http://www.jia.aero/] is the nearest commercial airport and is served by nine airlines.

By train

Jacksonville is the nearest city with an Amtrak station; it is served by the ''Silver Star'' and ''Silver Meteor'' [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081442674074&ssid=134] Miami - New York City routes.

Get around

'''Walking''' will allow you to see most of the historical buildings and shops with relative ease. There are also '''horse drawn coaches''' and '''tourist trains''' (trams) that give narrated tours of parts of the city.

  • '''Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine''', 167 San Marco Ave. (''located in the Old Jail House''), ''+1 904'' 829-3800, [http://staugustine.com/directory/old_town_trolley/]. On-and-off trolley bus visits all of the major attraction. Tickets are good for three days and include entrance to the '''Florida Heritage Museum''' and a free pass for the '''Augustine Beach Bus'''
  • '''Augustine Beach Bus'''
  • See

  • '''Alligator Farm Zoological Park''', 999 Anastasia Blvd.
  • '''Castillo de San Marcos National Monument''' One S. Castillo Dr., [http://www.nps.gov/casa]. This old fort was built by the Spanish in the late 1600s of Coquina limestone to defend Spain's interests in the area. Living history demonstrations on weekends. Lower level is handicapped accessible. Adults $6, under 16 free, but must be accompanied by an adult. Annual Castillo Park Pass $20.00 is valid for 12 Months.
  • '''Florida's Oldest House''', 271 Charlotte St., [http://www.staugustinehistoricalsociety.org].
  • '''Fort Matanzas National Monument''', [http://www.nps.gov/foma]. The small watchtower was built by the Spanish in the 1740s on a small island to control the southern entrance to St. Augustine via the Matanzas River. There are daily ferries to island. There is also a half-mile boardwalk nature trail on adjacent Anastasia Island. This attraction is free.
  • '''Flagler College''', 74 King St. Located on 19 acres downtown, the Spanish Renaissance architecture is highlighted by the former Ponce De Leon Hotel, built in the late 1800s as a winter resort by Henry Flagler with the interior designed by Louis C. Tiffany. The liberal arts college was created in 1968.[http://www.flagler.edu Flagler College Website]
  • '''Fort Mose Historic State Park'''. The park is where the first free black settlement in America was established in 1738 by the Spanish for black slaves of British masters seeking asylum in Spanish Florida. The settlement is located about two miles north of St. Augustine. [http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortmose/default.cfm].
  • '''Fountain of Youth''', 11 Magnolia (''off San Marco Ave N''), ''+1 904'' 829-3168, Toll Free: ''+1 904'' 356-8222, [http://www.fountainofyouthflorida.com].
  • '''Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse''' St. George Street.
  • '''Potter's Wax Museum''', 17 King St.
  • '''Ripley's Believe It or Not!''' Ripley's oldest Odditorium, located in the Castle Warden, was purchased shortly after his death in 1949 and opened in 1950. It is also rumored to be haunted. Segments of the most recent Ripley's TV series were filmed here, including the opening credits. Among the attractions here are a mummified cat, a 1/12 scale model of the original Ferris wheel made out of Erector sets, life and death masks of famous celebrities (including Abe Lincoln), and shamanistic apparatus from cultures around the world.
  • '''San Sebastian Winery''', 157 King St.
  • '''Spanish Quarter Village''', 29 St. George St.
  • '''St Augustine Lighthouse and Museum''', 81 Lighthouse Ave. ''near the Bridge of Lions'', [http://www.staugustinelighthouse.com/]. Built in the 1870s on the northern end of Anastasia Island. The museum contains exhibits about living and working at the light station.
  • Do

  • '''Flagler College Legacy tours''', ''+1 904'' 823-3378. Daily on the hour from 10AM-2PM. Tour visits the Hotel Ponce De Leon, famous for its Tiffany windows and Spanish Renaissance Architecture. [http://legacy.flagler.edu Legacy Tours and Shop]
  • '''Nightly Walking Tours''', ''+1 904'' 97-5604. Open every day. Themed walking tours featuring tales and ghosts, romance, scandal, murder & politicians, pirates, adventures, explorers and more.
  • '''First Friday Art Walk''' Explore the city's downtown galleries and experience a night of new exhibits, music, art and entertainment on the first Friday of every month.
  • St. Augustine Art Association. 2 Marine Street. block west of the bay front south of the Bridge of Lions. 04 824-2310. ww.staaa.og. 2-4pm. ree. Home to one of the oldest arts organizations in the Sunshine State, the St. Augustine Art Association is the premier gallery in the Historic District. The 5,000 square foot landmark features a permanent collection of Lost Colony art from the 1930s as well as monthly juried exhibits of local art.

    Events

  • '''Night of Lights''' More than a million little white lights outline the Bayfront and buildings of the historic downtown fromlate November to the end of December.
  • '''A Spring and a Fall Arts and Crafts Festival''' A wide variety of crafts will be on display all day at the Special Events Field.
  • '''Christmas Parade''' A parade with bands, floats, and Santa Clause arriving downtown at San Marco Avenue and the Bayfront.
  • '''Regatta of Lights''' Holiday parade of boats in the Bayfront between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos.
  • '''Summer Concert Series''' The downtown Plaza becomes a showcase of musical talent, with free concerts given each Thursday evening.
  • '''Kingbuster Tournament''' A Southern Kingfish competition held at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina.
  • '''Gamble Rogers Folk Festival''' Held at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, the musical event features a variety of local and national bands, storytelling and songwriting workshops.
  • '''Great Chowder Debate''' Annually in November, local restaurants compete, in various categories, for the best chowder, with samples tasted by the public.
  • '''Rhythm & Ribs Festival''' The last weekend of March at Francis Field on Castillo Drive. Features championship BBQ and musical entertainment.
  • '''Blessing of the Fleet''' First Sunday in April. Commercial and pleasure craft alike receive a blessing from the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine. Ceremony begins at noon with a procession from the Cathedral Basilica.
  • '''Easter Parade''' A parade downtown of marching bands, floats, drill teams, clowns, Royal Family and the city.s carriage horses wearing hats.
  • ''' Gamble Rogers Folk Festival''' April. A three-day celebration of the music, stories and dance ny local and national artists celebrating the Gamble Rogers legacy.
  • '''Concert in the Plaza''' Summer. Weekly concerts in the Downtown Plaza are free of charge and those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.
  • '''Flagler College New Year's Eve Ball''': December 31, 2008 from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. in Flagler's elegent dining hall ornate with Louis C. Tiffany glass windows. This black tie affair raises scholarship money for deserving students. For more information please contact the Office of College Relations at 904-819-6282.[http://www.flagler.edu/newyearsball More Information]
  • Buy

  • '''St. George Street'''. Historic shopping district.
  • '''El Centro Imports'''. Imported Central/South American goods and hammocks. [http://www.elcentroimports.com]
  • '''St. Augustine Premium Outlets'''[http://www.premiumoutlets.com/staugustine] - the more upscale of the area's two outlet centers which are on oppositive sides of I-95. This one is an outdoor center with 85 stores including Calvin Klein, Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Bahama and more.
  • '''Belz Factory Outlet World''', 500 Belz Outlet Blvd., Phone: ''+1 904'' 826-1311, Toll Free: ''+1 904'' 394-8318, Email: jpurvis@belz.com, [http://www.belz.com].
  • '''Old City Farmers' Market''', St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South. Sat. 8:30AM-12:30PM. Produce, flowers, arts and crafts.
  • Annual Fall Art & Craft Festival. rancis Field at the Visitors Center. .S. 1 & W. Castillo Drive. 04-824-2310. ww.staaa.org. 0-5pm. 1 donation. Held Thanksgiving weekend, this premier Art & Craft Festival features over 100 local, regional and national artists exhibiting pottery, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, photography, gourds, textiles and more. Local food, prizes and entertainment add to the festivities. The event is a fundraiser for the St. Augustine Art Association, a non-profit arts organization that promotes art excellence in the Ancient City.

    Eat

  • '''The Old City House''', 115 Cordova Street. Features world cuisine with Mediterranean, Asian, South African, and Southern influences.
  • '''Le Pavillion''', San Marco Ave. The restaurant serves Continental and German cuisine served in the European tradition.
  • '''O'Steens''', Anastasia Blvd. The "local" favorite and regular winner of Best Seafood Restaurant. Family dining featuring is famous fried shrimp dinner.
  • '''Creekside Dinery''', 160 Nix Boatyard Road. North Florida low country cookin_f in a charming, waterfront setting and specialties include fresh local seafood and Florida favorites such as chicken, fish, or steak cooked on a thick oak plank.
  • '''Cortesses Bistro''', 172 San Marco Blvd. The menu features fresh seafood, Certified Angus beef, lamb, veal, pork tenderloin, chicken, and pasta. Voted Best Outdoor Dining and Most Romantic Atmosphere by Jacksonville Magazine
  • '''Collage''', 60 Hypolita Street, [http://www.collagestaug.com]. Artful global cuisine.
  • '''Gypsy Cab Company''', Anastasia Blvd. Another local favorites which serves _gUrban Cuisine,_h an eclectic mix of seafood, steaks, poultry, pork, vegetarian items, and pasta dishes influenced by international cooking styles.
  • '''Raintree''' 102 San Marco Ave. Florida Trend_fs 10 Best in Florida Golden Spoon award.
  • '''Amici Italian Restaurant''', 1915 A1A Hwy. S. Authentic Italian specialties.
  • '''Conch House''' Located one mile from historic St. Augustine, enjoy waterfront dining inside or outside on the decks overlooking tropical Salt Run. Featuring seafood, Caribbean cuisine, steaks, salads, and award-winning conch chowder, The Conch House Lounge offers the best in tropical specialty drinks served in a Caribbean atmosphere over the water and features live entertainment
  • '''Fiddler's Green''', Vilano Beach. Voted St. Augustine's Favorite Oceanfront Restaurant for 20 years. Enjoy beautiful ocean views from every room while dining on fresh local seafood and excellent beef, chicken, and pasta sautes.
  • '''The Manatee Cafe'''. This delightful vegetarian restaurant caters to vegans and health enthusiasts looking for a healthy dining experience. Located less than 2 miles from the St Augustine Outlet, visitors will find its location convenient and the food delicious. $5 to $15
  • '''The Oasis''', A1A South, [http://www.worldfamousoasis.com]. This two story restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is a tourist-oriented. There is a full bar or raw bar on the upper deck.
  • '''Beachcomber Restaurant''', at the end of "A" Street in St. Augustine Beach. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in unique casual atmosphere. Patrons can dine on an open deck that is only steps from the beach.
  • '''South Beach Grille''', [http://www.southbeachgrille.net]. A casual dining seafood restaurant located next to the Crescent Beach access ramp.
  • '''Opus 39''', Cordova Street, [http://opus39.net]. Fine dining.
  • '''Zhanras''' is located just east of the Bridge of Lions, [http://www.zhanras.com]. Offers tapas-style dining in a contemporary art gallery setting that also features a cigar bar.
  • '''Georgies's Diner''', Malaga Street downtown. Serving American breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare in a classic stainless steel and neon diner experience.
  • '''Outback Crab Shack''', County Road 13 ''about 15 miles west of St. Augustine'', [http://www.theoutbackcrabshack.com]. This rustic eatery specializes in fresh seafood, including boiled, broiled, and fried seafood, catfish, crawfish, shrimp, clam strips, raw and cooked oysters, steaks, chicken, and fresh fish.
  • '''Panama Hatties''' A1A Blvd. in St. Augustine Beach. Features a huge upstairs oceanview deck, two full bars, and casual dining for lunch and dinner with some of the best prices at the beach.
  • '''Saltwater Cowboys''' 299 Dondanville Rd., [http://www.saltwatercowboys.com]. On the intracoastal waterway in a casual, recreated, turn-of-the-century fish camp surrounded by saltwater marshes. specialties including fresh seafood, delicious ribs, and chicken specialties.
  • Drink

  • '''A1A Ale Works''', King Street, [http://www.a1aaleworks.com].
  • '''Beachcomber''', "A" Street.
  • '''Sunset Grille'''A1A. [http://www.sunsetgrillea1a.com].
  • '''Milltop Tavern''' Saint George Street. [http://www.milltop.com].
  • '''Stoagies''', Cuna Street.
  • '''Scarlett O'Hara's''', Hypolita Street. [http://www.scarlettoharas.net].
  • '''Trade Winds Lounge''', Charlotte Street. [http://www.tradewindslounge.com.
  • '''McKnights Pub''', King Street.
  • '''St.George Tavern''', Saint George Street.
  • '''Prince of Whales English Pub''', Spanish Street.
  • '''King's Head British Pub''', US1 (''north of the airport'').
  • '''JP Henleys''', 10 Marine Street.
  • '''The Oasis''', A1A South.
  • '''British Pub''', 213 Anastasia Blvd
  • Sleep

  • '''Peace and Plenty Inn Bed and Breakfast''', 87 Cedar St., ''+1'' 904-829-8209, [http://www.peaceandplentyinn.com]. This 1893 Victorian home was beautifully restored by the Terrell Family to accurately reflect the style and architecture of the famed Gilded Age. Featuring gourmet breakfasts, desserts, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks, a private walled garden and close proximity to all of downtown, this inn has much to offer. Rates from $99 nightly.
  • '''Pirate Haus Inn''', 32 Treasury St., ''+1'' 904-808-1999, [http://piratehaus.com]. This family-friendly Pirate themed inn, is in the middle of the Historic District and is now the only place in the historic district priced less than $100 on a weekend night. All you can eat Pirate Pancakes for breakfast, pirate toys and pirate bedtime reading for the kids.
  • '''Conch House''' (''near the Bridge of Lions'')
  • '''St Augustine Beachfront Resort''', 300 A1A Beach Boulevard St., 1-800-752-4037, [http://www.floridabeachresort.com]. An oceanfront hotel located between Anastasia State Park and St Johns County Fishing Pier. The onsite restaurant, Papagallos, is a fully stocked bar that features live entertainment and a dance floor.
  • '''St Francis Inn''', 279 St. George Street, 1-800-824-6062 or 904-824-6068 (''Fax: (904) 810-5525''), [http://stfrancisinn.com/]. A historic bed-and-breakfast located at the corner of St. Francis and St. George Streets, built in 1791.
  • '''Casa Monica''', 95 Cordova St., ''+1'' 904-827-1888, (''Fax: 904-819-6065''), [http://www.casamonica.com]. The Casa Monica Hotel is a historical hotel that was built in 1888. The hotel features 138 luxury guest rooms and suites in a Spanish-style decor. The hotel is located in St Augustine historic district.
  • '''Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast''', 70 Cuna Street St., 800-908-9832, [http://carriageway.com/]. This historic bed and breakfast was built in 2008 and is located in the heart of the historic district. Weekday rates start at $99. Rates include a full breakfast, beverages, afternoon deserts, and parking is on-site.
  • '''Historic St Augustine Hilton Bayfront''', 32 Avenieda Menedez, 904-829-2277, [http://www.hiltonhistoricstaugustine.com/]. The Historic bay front accommodations in St Augustine Florida have a Spanish Colonial period facades which house brand new luxury hotel rooms and common spaces. Close to numerous Saint Augustine attractions and dining, with reasonable prices for both business and leisure travelers.
  • Holiday Inn and Suites in St Augustine. otel near downtown St. Augustine, Florida. 302 Ponce DeLeon Blvd.. 904) 494-2100. oe.rodriguez@jalaramhotels.com. 904) 494-2101. ttp://www.staugustinehi.com/.
  • '''Ramada St Augustine''', 2535 State Route 16, ''+1'' 904-829-5643, [http://www.ramadaflorida.com].
  • '''Ramada St Augustine-San Marco Ave.''', 116 San Marco Ave, ''+1'' 904-824-4352, [http://www.ramadaflorida.com].
  • The Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort. 000 PGA Tour Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach. ttp://www.sawgrassmarriott.com/. A golf resort that offers exclusive access to one of the PGA Tour's most venerable tournament courses - The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.

    Contact

  • '''Visitors Center''' ''+1 904'' 829-1711, Toll Free: ''+1 800'' 653-2489.
  • Get out

  • Marineland
  • Ponte Vedra Beach