Featured Destinations
St. Augustine
Spanish Colonialism does not easily roll off the tongue in America. In St. Augustine, though, it is at the center of the conversation. This one-of-a-kind city boasts a revitalized historic district with a wealth of Spanish colonial-era buildings and elite architecture that has been lost to history elsewhere. Founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in United States.
To get an idea of how old St. Augustine is, consider that it was founded just a year after Michelangelo died and a year before Shakespeare was born. History would have to idle more than half a century before the Pilgrims would land at Plymouth Rock.
Fast forward to the mid-20th century and the talk becomes that of civil rights. Martin Luther King Jr.’s arrest took place here in 1964. He later said that the suffering in St. Augustine helped prompt passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. There is a lengthy Freedom Trail in place today. Fort Moses is the sight of the first legally recognized free black settlement in the country. The plaza downtown, just a few feet from a former slave market, commemorates the work of civil-rights leaders. Look for bronze replicas of the footsteps of civil rights leader Andrew Young, who, while marching for freedom in 1964, was beaten unconscious by an angry white mob. He would go on to become the mayor of Atlanta and this country’s first African-American United Nations ambassador.
A multinight stay is best, and we suggest making reservations for a slip or mooring. The marinas are well-kept and close to a never-ending array of activities. After touring and shopping, you will find plenty of eateries and bars where you can relax and chat about the day.
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Things to See and Do
Don’t miss a stroll through the Colonial Quarter (14 S. Castillo Dr.; 888-991-0933), which is a quarter-mile north of the Bridge of Lions. Head down St. George Street from Orange Street to Cathedral Place for a charming slice of Spanish South. At the northern end of this pedestrian thoroughfare, you’ll find boutiques and historic sites, such as the oldest wooden schoolhouse. Stop over for some homemade treats at Tedi’s Olde Tyme Ice Cream (65 St. George Street; 904-825-1730), and venture forth to a number of the best attractions that are in close proximity.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (1 S. Castillo Drive; 904-829-6506) sits along St. Augustine’s inner shore. The monument’s construction in the late 1600s came in response to repeated city raids, the last of which killed a quarter of the residents. A moat, a freshwater well, a latrine flushed by the flood tide and nonperishable stores made it an almost impregnable refuge. There are narrated tours daily as well as many events throughout the year.
Sitting at the centerpiece of Flagler College (74 King St.; 904-829-6481) is the former Ponce de León Hotel, which was a hotbed of history hosting presidents from Grover Cleveland to JFK and famous writers such as Samuel Clemens. Standard Oil founder Henry Flagler built this nearly perfect example of Spanish Renaissance architecture, which now serves as the centerpiece of the modest liberal arts college.
Across the street, Chicago publisher Otto C. Lightner purchased the Lightner Museum (75 King St.; 904-824-2874), formerly Flagler’s Hotel Alcazar, to house his extensive collection of European and American art.
Other attractions include Ponce de León’s Fountain of Youth Archeological Park (11 Magnolia Ave.; 904-829-3168), which has a touristy rendition of the legendary spring of immortality that the explorer was seeking. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum (100 Red Cox Road: 904-829-0745) offers tours and has special events such as the Sunset Moonrise adventure once a month when you watch the sun set over the city as the moon rises over the Atlantic.
For a more modern jolt, The Amp (1340 A1A South; 904-209-0367) is a state-of-the art amphitheater that holds 4,000 concertgoers at Anastasia State Park. The venue presents big-name music acts as well as a weekly farmers market on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The St. Augustine and St. Johns County Visitor Center (10 W. Castillo Drive; 904-825-1000) can help you decide which of the many other options are best for you. They’re a block north of the fort and open every day, except for Christmas. An easy way to get a comprehensive overview of the city is Old Town Trolley Tours (167 San Marco Ave.; 904-829-3800) or Red Train Trolley Tours (170 San Marco Ave.; 904-824-1606), both of which are worth the $25 or so.
Featured Marinas
Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor
904-829-5676Camachee Yacht Yard
904-823-3641Rivers Edge Marina
904-827-0520St. Augustine Municipal Marina
904-825-1026St. Augustine Shipyard
904-342-5159Windward Service Center St. Augustine
904-824-4394
Restaurants and Provisions
Dining options are aplenty near marinas and on the way while gallivanting the historic area. North of the inlet and the Vilano Beach Bridge as you head down the ICW, an all-inclusive stop is Camachee Cove, where you will find the venerable Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor (904-829-5676) and Camachee Yacht Yard (904-823-3641). Treat the crew like royalty at Kingfish Grill (904-824-2111), with its fresh seafood and local musicians.
The Colonial Quarter’s Taberna del Caballo (37 St. George St.; 904-342-2867) brings you back to an 18th century Spanish tavern. Just up the way, Bull & Crown (53 St. George St.; 904-342-2869) is a British-style pub fit for anyone aboard. Looking for something with a little Cuban influence? The Columbia Restaurant (98 St. George St.; 904-824-3341) is a popular choice. Vegans and vegetarians will want to head northwest to Manatee Café (525 S.R. 16 #106; 904-826-0210) in Westgate Plaza. They serve breakfast and lunch using organic ingredients.
Folks tying up at St. Augustine Municipal Marina cannot miss O.C. White’s Seafood & Spirits (118 Avenida Menendez; 904-824-0808) across the street. The menu includes homemade crab cakes, local catch, chicken, steak and frozen specialty drinks, including the popular banana cabana. They serve brunch every Sunday.
On Anastasia Island, the neon-lighted building and artsy interior are your first clues that you are in for a unique experience at Gypsy Cab Company (828 Anastasia Blvd.; 904-824-8244). While the atmosphere is casual, the food is top-notch. The menu draws on eclectic influences including Mediterranean, Southern, German, Cajun and Asian.
The Conch House Marina Resort (904-824-4347), just south of the inlet on Salt Run, includes an award-winning restaurant with lounge and a Key West-style motel. This relaxed resort shows the sportfishing side of St. Augustine. Visit the Conch House Lounge for its well-liked Happy Hour, or dine indoors or out at the Conch House Restaurant. One option is under a thatched roof overlooking the water.
If you’ve run up the Sebastian River for dockage or repairs, check out Hurricane Patty’s (904-342-7338), which builds its menu around the catch of the day. This seafood and beer joint is located at Rivers Edge Marina. (See their ad on page 107 to get a free hurricane shrimp appetizer.) Look a little farther along the Sebastian River and you’ll find the Old City House Inn & Restaurant (115 Cordova St.; 904-826-0113) and The Raintree Restaurant (102 San Marco Ave.; 904-824-7211), both with award-winning cuisine.
Within a quarter-mile of Rivers Edge and the Windward Service Center St. Augustine you’ll spy a West Marine (1030 S. Ponce De Leon Blvd.; 904-810-5353) next door to a Winn-Dixie (1010 S. Ponce de Leon Blvd.; 904-829-5509), a CVS Pharmacy (904-824-7127) inside Target (1440 U.S. Route 1 South; 904-810-2336), the St. Augustine Regional Veterinary Emergency Center (100-1 S. Ponce de Leon Blvd.; 904-797-5770), banks with ATMs and myriad dining options.
For a fun alternative, head about 6 miles south to Salt Water Cowboys (299 Dondanville Road; 904-471-2332), where you dine overlooking a marsh. The interior is inspired by a turn-of-the century fish camp, complete with snake and gator skins on the walls. Barbecued seafood and fried gator tail — a must-try, if you haven’t already — are on the menu.
