Florida's Historic Coast

The Castillo De San Marcos

Photo by Addison Fitzgerald

FLORIDA’S

PHOTO BY ADDISON FITZGERALD

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ST. AUGUSTINE-THE NATION’S OLDEST CITY

As the saying goes “24 miles of

beaches and the rest is history” St. Augustine exudes a playful charm created bya contradiction of Old and New WorldInfluences. Mixed together they create arefreshing mixture of antiquated romance,youthful vibrance, and Southern sweetness.Evidence of the magic and mystery ofSt. Augustine is revealed in more than 60historic sites and attractions. Many of thesepoints of interest are tucked along canopiedroads of moss-draped oaks. Streets are linedby signature coquina cottages topped withred clay roofs. Two National Monumentsreflect the prevalent Spanishand Minorcan heritage: Theimpenetrable Castillo de SanMarcos (1695), the nation’soldest masonry fortress, and FortMatanzas (1742) which can bereached only by boat.

Since 1903, visitors have discoveredSt. Augustine’s past at the Fountain of YouthArchaeological Park. Thought to be Poncede Leon’s eternal spring, it is Florida’s oldestattraction.

HISTORIC

The Mission Nombre de Dios (1565) is thelocation that began Christianity in the UnitedStates. Visitors can also see the remains of the1808 City Gate, that are now a grand archwayleading into the oldest city.

F i r s t C o a s t

Three of the Historic Coast’s naturalattractions are its state parks. Favor-Dykes State Park, on the southern tip ofSt. Augustine is a 752-acre forest that serves asa refuge for endangered bald eagles and woodstorks. Trails and camping areas are foundalong meandering marshes.

Anastasia State Park is a 1,600 acre StatePark located on Anstasia Island, just over theBridge of Lions from Downtown. The parkhas a variety of wildlife, birds and plants ina setting of beaches, tidal salt marshes, andmarine and upland hammocks. Located in theheart of St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia StatePark offers camping, fishing, sun bathing,running, surfing, sail boarding, swimming,kayaking, hiking, and picnicking.

455 YEARS OLD & COUNTING!

Fort Mose State Park, is also a NationalHistoric Landmark. It is located two milesnorth of St. Augustine, on the edge of a saltmarsh on the western side of the IntracoastalWaterway, which separates the mainland fromthe coastal barrier islands. The original siteof an 18th-century fort was uncovered in a1986 archeological dig. The 24-acre site hassince been protected as a Florida State Park,

administered through the Anastasia StateRecreation Area. Fort Mose is the “premiersite on the Florida Black Heritage Trail. Forreservations, and more information on theseand other Florida State Parks, go towww. floridastateparks.org.

EVERY DAY IS EVENTFUL IN ST. AUGUSTINE.

There are 45 spirited year-roundcelebrations of heritage and heroism inSt. Augustine. Reenactments range fromthe 18th century royal transfer of office, toDrake’s Raid in 1586. Another popularevent is the reenactment of the 1740’storchlit Spanish Night Watch.

St. Augustine and the surrounding areashave an amazingly varied andrich, fine arts environment.

Working in every mediumimaginable, art lovers can checkout the work of more than230 local artists, in galleriesand shops around the city. Theantiques scene is no less sparkling.St. Augustine alone has more than 50antiques dealers displaying their one-of-a-kindtreasures.

In 1513, when Ponce de Leon first sawFlorida, near the mouth of the St. JohnsRiver, the flowers were in full Easter bloomso he called it La Florida (the flowering).Although de Leon did not stay long,the name has never left us.

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The Spanish influence is everywhere in St. Augustine’s buildings. Many of its hotels, museums, churches, inns and public places have a distinct colonial flair. Spectacular archways, flying buttresses, stained glass windows and the magnificent lobbies of Henry M. Flagler’s grand hotels, all evoke a by-gone era.

The historic Colonial Quarter is a living theater allowing visitors to see how early settlers went about their lives, how they repulsed invaders or were occupied by them. Festivals are staged during all seasons of the year, are fun and informative, and provide a perfect way for a family to learn together.

Anastasia Island, between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean is an 18 mile vacationer’s paradise, perfect for all outdoor recreational activities. Here you’ll find beautiful, clean, sandy beaches, the county fishing pier and the Anastasia State Recreation Area, which offers camping, hiking, nature trails, birding, picnicking, fishing and volleyball. And,

you’ll have an ample opportunity to view the spectacular abundance of native wildlife.

The St. Augustine Amphitheater, ranked as one of the best outdoor concert venues in the United States serves up first class entertainment of every type. John Legend, Aretha Franklin, Jason Isbell, Crosby Stills & Nash, Carlos Santana and many more have graced this award winning stage. See www.staugamphitheatre.com for more information and a complete list of upcoming shows.

The 900 seat Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, just up the road in neighboring Ponte Vedra Beach, is the little sister of our award-winning amphitheatre and offers top notch entertainment as well. See www.pvconcerthall.com for a complete list of upcoming shows.

Our coastal waters are home to porpoises; playful, intelligent creatures often spotted frolicking in the waves close to shore. The area also hosts a

sizeable colony of manatees. Spotting one of these gentle creatures in the wild is a thrill you’ll not soon forget.

Looking for American alligators is another favorite pastime of visitors to Florida. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm on Anastasia Island opened in 1893 as the world’s firstof-its-kind zoological park, with the world’s only complete collection of crocodilians, not to mention snakes, monkeys, birds and educational wildlife shows.

St. Augustine celebrated the 450th Anniversary of it’s founding in September of 2015, The oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States.

St. Augustine has a rich history in the Shrimping industry.

Photo by Addison Fitzgerald 12 GUEST ADVANTAGE 2019-20

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