Discovering St. Augustine

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St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches is a thriving and exciting area where the accomplishments of the past are revered while the opportunities of the future are embraced. The area's heritage and culture are celebrated year round with a variety of events and attractions that deliver an unforgettable experience to today's visitor.

There are more than 60 unique, themed attractions and historical sites in St. Augustine that bring the history and romance of the Old City to life. A collection of museums displays the most impressive mementos and historical artifacts Florida has to offer. Flagler's hotels, churches and innovations serve as a Spanish Renaissance backdrop to an area where hospitality is the driving force behind an economy built on a sense of providing visitors with special memories.

St. Augustine is ideal for a romantic getaway too. Couples can relax at one of the area's luxury resorts or quaint bed & breakfast inns, enjoy a moonlit carriage ride, rejuvenate at one of the many spas, visit an award-winning winery, and shop in numerous art galleries and antique shops. And when it comes to dining, the choices range from elegant dining overlooking beautiful Matanzas Bay to local seafood favorites with a Spanish flair.

No trip to St. Augustine is complete without a day at the World Golf HOF.

Water sports are bountiful. Kayak the coastal salt marshes, fish aboard one of the many charter boats, get the adventure of wind-surfing or kite surfing, or just soak up the rays along the magnificent Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy a walk along the secluded beach of Anastasia State Park that can yield a bounty of seashells, as well as lasting memories of dolphins frolicking just beyond the surf line or maybe even a northern right whale lazing in the warm winter sunshine.

For golfers, the area offers more than a dozen exquisite courses, including the World Golf Hall of Fame's Slammer & Squire, named after Hall of Famers "Slamming" Sam Snead and Gene "The Squire" Sarazen; and the King & Bear, the only course in the world ever collaboratively designed by legendary greats, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. There's also the recently renovated TPC Stadium course at Sawgrass – home to The Players Championship with its world famous 17th hole. Plus, there's a full range of public and semi-private courses to choose from.

Fittingly for a place where history is found on every street corner, St. Augustine is the home of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Not only are the greats of the game enshrined here along with their inspirational stories, the exhibits and interactive displays enhance both golfers' and non-golfers' appreciation of this wonderful game.

Although it may seem as though every day here is special, there are some that shine even more brightly because of special events designed to highlight the heritage of this unique place beside the sea. For instance, each year from mid-November through January the historic district, beach communities and the famed lighthouse are lit by the soft glow of two million tiny, white lights as part of the famous "Nights of Lights." This holiday spectacular features dozens of special events and concerts and has become a favorite for visitors from throughout the Southeast.

February brings the annual Menendez Birthday Celebration featuring a tribute to St. Augustine's founder – complete with 16th century gala masked ball. March features a re-enactment of the pirate Robert Searles' 1688 raid on the city, and the Lion's Club Annual Seafood Festival. In April, St. Augustine Amphitheatre becomes the headquarters for the First Coast Birding and Nature Festival. In May, the prestigious Tournament Players Championship golf tournament takes place at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. Folk music enthusiasts from far and wide converge on the St. Augustine Amphitheatre during the first week in May for the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival. Summer brings Thursday night concerts in St. Augustine's historic plaza, a visit by the English pirate Sir Francis Drake, and St. Augustine's 442nd Birthday Celebration in September. And, of course, there are ghost tours and romantic carriage rides every night of the year.

St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches offer the very best of a Florida vacation in an authentic Old World setting beside the bright blue Atlantic. Best of all, the area boasts a wide array of accommodations to suit every need and budget. To find out more, go to www.Getaway4Florida.com or call the Visitors and Convention Bureau at 1.800.OLD.CITY (653.2489).