St. Augustine, the nation's oldest
city, also holds the distinction of being one of the
nation's most charming. Known as the "Ancient City,"
Saint Augustine is located between North East and
Central East Florida.
Convenient to Jacksonville, Orlando
and Daytona airports.
For information about St. Augustine
and/or to have information mailed to you, please call
our Chamber of Commerce at (904) 829-5681 or visit
www.staugustinechamber.com.
Because of North Florida's year around
mild climate, but especially in the warm spring and
summer months, the area's delightful historic
district, with its cobblestone streets and
its quaint cafes, bars, unique
shops and bed-and-breakfast inns, comes alive
with locals and tourists setting out on foot
to explore significant landmarks such as:
Castillo de
San Marcos »Throughout
its history, the Castillo de San Marcos National
Monument, with its elaborate double drawbridge
entrance suspended above what is now a now dry moat
spanning an impressive 40 feet, has been closely
intertwined with the city and the neighboring
structures which served as the city's outer defenses
for many years - Fort Mose to the north and Fort
Matanzas to the south. The Castillo and the town serve
as outstanding reminders of the might of the early
Spanish empire in the New World. Given the
architectural details, it's hardly surprising that
Castillo de San Marcos actually took 23 years to build
(construction began in 1672 and was completed in
1695). Fabricated of coquina, a virtually
indestructible limestone comprised of broken sea
shells and corals, the walls of the fortress remained
impenetrable through 300 years of enemy shelling and
pounding by violent storms. Castillo de San Marcos is
constructed alongside picturesque Mantazas Bay, with
its sleek modern-day sailing vessels.
Fort
Matanzas »
Built 1740-1742, represents a
well-preserved masonry watchtower fort built by the
Spanish. By providing a perch to observe enemy vessels
approaching from the south, the fort played a
strategic role i n warning St. Augustine of potential
enemy advancements from the south via the Matanzas
River.
Flagler
College »
This year it celebrates 35 years of
providing educational excellence. The College offers
20 majors, 26 minors and two pre-professional programs
in selected studies emphasizing liberal arts,
education and business. With an average class size of
21, Flagler College provides an exceptional
opportunity for a private education at an extremely
affordable cost.
As with any location steeped in
history, there are many exciting
museums
located in the area. Among the many is the Lightner
Museum.
Lightner
Museum »
When
it opened its doors in 1889, Henry
Flagler's Alcazar Hotel, with
its distinctive Spanish Renaissance styling,
staggered guests with its style and opulence. The
building now houses the Lightner
Museum, featuring an intriguing array of items,
from Native American artifacts, to stuffed birds,
steam-engine models and more.
If you love to golf or play tennis,
then this is the place for you! There are many
golf
courses and tennis resorts located in the area.
Ponte Vedra, home of The Players Association (PGA) and
Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) are a 20
minute drive from the Down Town historic
district.
The many marinas dotted around the
area make boating access ultra convenient by sea,
river or intercoastal waterway.
Fishing, diving, surfing, parasailing
and other
water
sports are abundantly accommodated.
The town also boasts 43 pristine miles
of
beaches.
There's the right type of beach for everyone: some
permit vehicles while others allow only pedestrians.
Some of the area beaches produce abundant shelling
opportunities, while others are covered only in
luxurious fine, golden sand.
From single vantage points in town,
you can experience both the joy of the sun rising over
the Atlantic Ocean horizon and the peacefulness of the
sun setting beyond the salt marsh along the
intracoastal waterway.
- More
about our
history
