travel to: st. augustine, florida

my last summer vacation in St. Augustine, Florida has just come to a close. i always imagine if just staying forever would be possible… ya know, having a vespa & working at the cutest touristy spot or oceanside dive… wearing a bathing suit, shorts & racerback tank everyday… not having to worry about my endless list of things to do or always rushing around with little sleep. I guess that’s why they call it vacation, or retirement! but the time to head home always comes & it’s always bittersweet.

view on crescent beach…

if you know me, then you know I’m not  much of a “beach bum.’ this pale freckled skin {thanks dad} has fallen victim to sun poisoning too many times to count {no worries, I won’t post photos of the 2^nd degree burns} & I’d rather be curiously following cobblestone streets somewhere I can’t pronounce but, I LOVE St. Augustine. in my opinion it’s one of the most beautiful & fun places on the planet. it’s quaint, gorgeous & there’s so much to do whether you’re married, visiting with a friend, or the whole family… kids included. here’s my first official travel post on {my favorite} things to do and sights to see in St. Augustine, Florida.

things to do:

• Climb 219 to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. {it’s exhilarating, the view is breathtaking, & it’s “supposedly” haunted… it was even on ghost hunters… oh & they do night tours.}
• Check out Castillo de San Marcos, the famous fort. {even better, visit St. Augustine for July 4^th & watch the firework show from here… best. fireworks. ever.} some 1,500 residents sought shelter here when the English tried to take the city in 1702… they ransacked the city but couldn’t take the fort, maybe because of the alligator filled moat.
• Get tattooed &/or pierced at Ms. Deborah’s Fountain of Youth. {this purple house is the only place to get pierced in the city & although i don’t wear them anymore, my favorite ear piercing was done here… back. in. the. day.}
• Take a Trolley Tour! Don’t be embarrased to hop on with all the other tourists… this is your best option for sightseeing the MOST for your money all while getting a great history lesson…
• You’re in the Oldest City in the Nation so you need to check out historic downtown! You can enter the original city gates {built in 1808} & stroll down St. George Street… there are lots of  cute shops, art galleries and more. I love the Spanish history here, venture into the Spanish Quarter and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled 200 years back in time.
• Go for a run! Here’s a link full of great routes all around the city… from 1 mile to 9+ theres one for you!
• Go antique shopping at Avonlea Antique Mall near Jacksonville… you’re sure to find some great things! check out my finds here.
• The best shopping around is in Jacksonville at the St. John’s Town Center… it wins my vote for the best outdoor shopping i’ve ever seen & it’s a Simon Mall!
• Visit the San Sebastian Winery. It’s local & they offer free tours and tastings! {oh & they use muscadine grapes!}
• Take surf lessons! Call Pit Surf Shop {904}471-4700 {$70 per person & $55 each for 2 people}
• Take the kiddies to The Alligator Farm… {they’ll love it. enough said.} or to Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum. duh!
• Take an Airboat Ride in the Central Florida Everglades. Midway in Christmas, Florida is the best. {it’s a little “out-there” but you will NOT regret it… this is by far one of the most fun things I’ve ever done…ever & you never know what kind of crazy shenanigans you could get into… you won’t believe it until you’ve seen it. you’ll love the python that makes it self at home next to the coke machine & there are usually baby alligators to play with. for serious.}
• Check out the shops north of downtown on San Marco Avenue. I love: Down the Rabbit Hole, Wolf Head Books, & there are 4 cute antique shops!

gil and i at the lighthouse…

the fort…

props to this guy for living in florida and working in costume at a national monument…

hubs at the city gates… built in 1808

wine tour…

amazing books at wolf’s head…

you know i LOVE an alice themed store full of vintage trinkets…

sights to see:

• Flagler College {Built in 1888 as a hotel with Thomas Edison himself running the electricity through the place… it’s now a top private liberal arts college.}
• Stationed in a garden right outside Ripley’s Believe it or Not is the statue of David. {built from one piece of marble from the same quarry as the original it’s one of 2 replicas in the entire world… it’s ahhhmazing, thank you Michelangelo.}
• The St. Johns County Pier is the cheapest thing on my list & oh so fun. Watch fishermen catch, surfers surf and enjoy the beachfront park, with playground, sand volleyball courts, live music & other events. there’s even a farmers market each Wednesday… you’re welcome.

on the pier…

places to eat:

• The Columbia was founded in 1905 and is a must-visit. Their authentic Spanish cuisine is delish. Sit in the courtyard, make sure you get the “1905 Salad” and try either their famous sangria or a mojito with real sugar cane shooting out. yep.
• The Tini Martini Bar is attached to the Casablanca Inn. It’s gorgeous! sit on the big front porch. watch the sun set while looking out at the water while the horse and carriage roll by. very romantic… i love the chocolate martini but their entire menu is to die for.
• Reef is the most legit “oceanfront” place to dine… fresh local seafood and the view is so beautiful it’s hard to describe.
• Harry’s Seafood is right downtown and they have an incredible candlelit garden patio… it’s romantic and swanky with authentic New Orlean’s Style eats.
• The Beachcomber is my favorite beachfront dive for breakfast… it’s uber laid back and you can walk right out on the beach afterwards, but make sure you get there early on Sunday.

view from dinner at Reef…

things to know about st. augustine:

• it’s only a half hour from Jacksonville {north} & Daytona {south}
• it’s 2 hours from Orlando and Disney World.
• there are tons of hotel & vacation houses… check them out here.
• there’s a great new public parking spot near historic downtown… this is your best bet. it’s close to everything & you can also rent vespas, & segways to sightsee if you’d like.
• there are multiple beaches since you’ll be near the coast & an island but they’re all nice!!

I will say that I’ve been spoiled with grandparents who have always had a condo here… the private, quiet beaches weren’t too shabby growing up. now that they live here full time, they’re about 2 miles from the ocean on Anastasia Island. it’s seriously a beautiful place. i’ve lost count of how many times i’ve been and i NEVER tire of the touristy activities & sights… you’ll love it. be curious… & plan a trip! happy end of summer… it looks like fall is on the way.