FLORIDA’S OFF THE BEATEN PATH GUIDE TO ST. AUGUSTINE

Whether you are a native Floridian, or visiting for the first time, St. Augustine, Florida will be fun for the whole family. However, when you have ridden the trolly, navigated the nation’s oldest street, and had a ball at the oldest masonry fort, allow me, a native Floridian, to be your tour guide to Florida’s off-the-beaten-path guide to St. Augustine, Florida.  

We love St. Augustine, Florida. Philip grew up with his family spending a week every summer on the beach boogie-boarding and living the beach life. We continued the tradition of bringing our three boys each summer. Our middle son would fish from sun up to sun down and we would spend our days exploring. Located in Central, Florida, we visit often. Now that the kids are grown, we find ourselves wandering and seeking out hidden gems; a scavenger hunt of sorts if you will. 

 If you are NOT familiar with St. Augustine, Florida, it is located in Northeast and East Central Florida and is convenient to Jacksonville International Airport, Orlando, and Daytona Beach Airports.  Our climate is fantastic and as the nation’s oldest city, you have the best of everything for family fun! History, haunted, romantic, or weird, this ancient city offers it all. So, let’s dive into our guide to experiencing the other side of what St. Augustine has to offer. 

SPEND THE DAY AT A SECRET STATE PARK

The first stop on our tour of Florida’s off-the-beaten-path guide to St. Augustine, Florida is Anastasia State Park located at 300 Anastasia Park Road, ST. Augustine, Florida, 32080.  Open from 8 am to sundown, 365 days a year, and only $8 per vehicle, we love this State Park. Whether you are staying in a condo, hotel, or VBRO, Anastasia State Park offers a great day away from all the crowds in the Historic District.

Besides having access to the gorgeous beach, you can rent bikes for the day, kayak your way to the lighthouse, fish, or hike the old dunes. Take a stroll with your camera down the long boardwalk to the beach and enjoy a burger and fries at the small restaurant. When you are done,  head to the general store to grab ice or sunscreen. 

Love to camp? No worries! You can do that here too! Grab your tent or pull your camper for a great weekend. If you would like more information on Anastasia State Park, check out the link here.

SCENIC VIEWS & A RESTORED GEM

Have you been over the second bridge across from the Bridge of Lions? I always feel a bit like “Thelma and Louise” out on an adventure! The Vilano Causeway or Usina Bridge, carries you over the Matanzas River. You are in for a treat. Vilano Beach is a local secret and when we are visiting in the jeep, the top comes off and it is nothing but sunshine and wind in our hair! Dotted with vacation rentals, funky eateries, and picturesque views, it is one of our favorite drives.

Platted in the 1920s, A1A Vilano Beach is also known as Coastal Highway. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Tolomato River, Henry Flagler used the seaside community for the guests of his hotel as their oceanfront playground. Ferries and horse-drawn trolley’ would deliver the guests to the beach. We love to take it all the way down and enjoy the coast and Tolomato River. More on that in another post!

The Vilano Beach Mainstreet area is located just a short two-mile drive from the downtown Historic St. Augustine area. Here, you will find access to the beach, motels, and a few places to eat. While here, don’t miss the iconic Magic Beach Motel. Renovated, restored, and reopened in 2012, this was the location for the TV series, Safe Harbor back in the 1990s starring Rue McClanahan. 

WHERE THE LOCALS GO

Are you looking for a secret restaurant? One with the most stunning sunsets EVER? Can you keep a secret? While enjoying the Vilano Beach area, located on the Intercoastal Waterway, Caps On The Water is St. Augustine’s best-kept secret. With a large deck and open indoor seating that offers great vantage views of the Intercoastal, this isn’t your typical seafood dive. While you wait for your table, we suggest grabbing one of their tasty cocktails’ and head out to the deck for the evenings sunset. Your welcome.

When we were given the directions, we thought our navigation had us in the wrong location. It’s so secret, you drive through a couple neighborhoods, a few twists and turns, all the way to the water where you are greeted by the valets. Who knew this was here? It’s like the secret garden of seafood! The food is excellent, the drinks are fantastic, and the service is top-notch.  

TELL ME YOURS & I WILL TELL YOU MINE

Do you have any secret Florida off-the-beaten-path places in St. Augustine, Florida you would like to share? Where else in Florida would you like to know more secrets about? Let us know in the comments. We would love to check them out and share more local spots.

THE LOCALS ARE KNOW IT ALL’S

Well, there you have it. A few Florida off-the-beaten-path places to check out while visiting St. Augustine, Florida. The best treasures and memories are often the ones we find through exploration and getting to know the locals. Chat us up! You might just get lucky and get a tip on a new secret location. Happy wandering Friends.