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Learn about St. Augustine, Florida by reading "St. Augustine - A Fountain of Youth" by Charlie Spence, Aviation Writer. It features a mini, but thorough tour of the destination, plus all you'll need to know to plan your trip including getting there, objective information on places to stay and eat, and things to do. At the end of the article, we've provided a summary of the contact information for your easy reference. Enjoy!
St. Augustine - A Fountain of Youth
by Charlie Spence, Aviation Writer and
IFA Member
Displays of Spanish military maneuvers at Castillo de San
Marcos.
Photo courtesy of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and
Convention Bureau
It's the oldest continually
settled city in the United States and while you soak up historic sites dating
back to the days of Ponce de Leon landing here to seek the fountain of youth,
you can enjoy 45 miles of pristine beaches, dine in quaint cafes, browse through
unique shops, hook a big one while off-shore fishing, or just relax in the
perfect place for a romantic get-away.
St. Augustine, Florida, might
be known as the 'Ancient City' but while you are strolling the cobblestone
streets or admiring the structures that served as the city's outer defenses, you
will also discover why modern-day explorers might want to keep the charm and
warmth of this area to themselves. But never mind, the locals welcome visitors
and roll out the hospitality carpet.
Located between north east and
central east Florida, the St. Augustine-Ponte Vedra area is rich in history; so
much so that it is difficult to select the places to visit. The city dates back
to the
conquistadors of the sixteenth century. Reminders of these early
days when the soldiers and their families were busy building a Spanish community
abound here. At one point, as you near Nombre de Dios - the first Spanish
Catholic Mass and Mission on American soil - you can see the excavation of the
actual stone cross laid out by Ponce de Leon and his men. At the Ponce de Leon
Fountain of Youth Park you may go ahead and take a sip of 'youth' and, just
maybe, imagine the old boy might have been on the right track.
At the
massive Castillo de San Marcos Fort see and hear the Spanish soldier re-enactors
fire the cannons as they were fired warding off enemies for more than 300 years.
This fort was never conquered and endures as the only 17th-century
stone fort. Also, go over and tour a newer defense, Fort Matanzas, which was
constructed in 1742. It served to protect the city from pirates and vessels
approaching from the south. In 1565, the defending Spanish in one battle killed
259 French Huguenots over control of Florida.
Stroll along Avilles street, the oldest street in the city.
Photo courtesy of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and
Convention Bureau
In the old colonial Spanish
quarter, other costumed re-enactors demonstrate cooking techniques,
blacksmithing, candle making and other crafts.
Much of the original walled
city remains in the restoration district. Here, visit the oldest house, built
around 1720, the oldest jail, dating to 1891, and the oldest wooden schoolhouse
in America, constructed in 1763. Along the narrow, uneven streets you will find
many architectural treasures holding restaurants, pubs, ice cream shops, gift
boutiques, and other charming attractions. If you like, there are quaint bed and
breakfast facilities where you can stay to totally soak up the historic
adventure. You will want to walk the historic section but the best way to see
some of the destinations is by taking one of the many tours by horse and
carriage or sightseeing trolley or miniature train.
The world-famous 17th hole of THE PLAYERS Sawgrass Stadium
Course at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Photo courtesy of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and
Convention Bureau
When you have had your fill of
romantic history, there are unlimited experiences you may enjoy. Nearby Ponte
Vedra is noted for its golf courses. The PGA Tour Headquarters is located here
at Tournament Players Club. Just south of Ponte Vedra visit the World Golf Hall
of Fame and World Golf Village where you will see golf memorabilia donated by
many golfing greats.
Many marinas in the area make
fishing or sailing a convenient thing to do. Explore the sea, river, or
Intracoastal Waterway for fishing, diving, surfing or just loafing along.
As you visit this historic
community you will quickly see it is the spot for a quiet, peaceful get-away
where you can mix relaxing sightseeing with personal pampering at spas, and
luxury resorts and hotels. But, that doesn't mean you must forego nightlife and
fine dining. Live music abounds every night in the taverns, restaurants, and
pubs around St. George Street and also on Anastasia Island.
The average year-round
temperature in the St. Augustine-Ponte Vedra area is 70 degrees and the miles of
beaches enjoy gentle breezes. Some beaches are nestled between the Atlantic
Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway so you may take your pick of the beach or
water experiences you prefer.
In a period when rush is the
theme, when stress is the norm, when overextension is the accepted, this little
corner of America melds the quaint and quiet of the past with the plush and
peaceful of the present, where you can rise early and see a beautiful sunrise
over the Atlantic, enjoy the day and be awed by the beauty of a sunset over the
marshes.
Details
How to Get There
The
St.
Augustine-St. Johns County Airport is just five minutes from
downtown St. Augustine. On the Jacksonville chart, the airport has
two runways: 13/31 7996x150 and 2/20 2614x75, both asphalt. A VOR is
on the field. (SGJ 109.4)
- Approaches are ILS,
VOR, GPS RNAV
- Tower operates 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Fees: Parking,
Tie-down, and hangar
- Fuel: 100 LL, Jet
- Several FBOs
- Caution: military
operations, birds in vicinity
Where to Stay
Accommodations in
this area are known worldwide. The St. Augustine-Ponte Vedra area
offers a combined total of more than 7,000 accommodation units.
These range from modestly priced lodgings through unique bed and
breakfasts, to luxurious seaside resorts.
IFA’s Travel Access Discount Program serves up deeper discounts on hotels, car rentals, flights, and activities all over the world. Most of our travel deals are not available to the public, which means rates are much lower than what the average consumer can find online. Click here to start accessing for free today.
Where to Dine
You have a wide
choice of dining ranging from good ol' down home cooking and
barbeques to excellent American and international cuisine. Excellent
fresh seafood is available. The locals seem to like the shrimp,
oysters, clams, and freshly-caught fish. Try any or all of them at
the seaside restaurants. For a reminder of the area's history, visit
one of the restaurants serving traditional Spanish cuisine and
exotic specialties.
Notice: This information is
current as of January 2008. It is recommended that you contact the numbers,
and/or visit the websites above to determine any changes to the information.
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