St. Augustine, Fla. (May 3, 2024) – A surprising international flair is part of what makes St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches a popular Florida destination. This is where global influence meets laid-back beach living.

History buffs can explore the nearly 460-year-old streets of St. Augustine's Historic District.  From the earliest inhabitants to Spanish discovery, African freedom and British invasion, the city's history is diverse and dynamic. Historic landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Fort Mose Historic State Park, Oldest Wooden School House, and Plaza de la Constitución are a few of the sites where the oldest city in North America history can be experienced.  

“Like painting in Europe,” is the tagline St. Augustine's art and business community used to build a winter artist colony during the Great Depression. Art is found throughout Florida's Historic Coast. Work from painters, sculptors, and photographers from around the world and throughout history are on display in dozens of galleries throughout the region. A leisurely walk allows one to appreciate the lines of the stunning historical architecture that caught the eye of many an artist in town.

Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine and the Beaches have over 42 miles of beach, perfect for playing volleyball, swimming, surfing, fishing, exploring or just relaxing. There's a reason they've been voted some of the best in the country. And beach-living means that many of the oceanside restaurants and shops welcome sandy toes and casual dress.

St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches have miles of trails just waiting for walkers, ruckers, runners and mountain bikers. Get wet with first-class surfing, paddleboarding or kayaking experiences. Florida may be flat, but visitors can get some elevation by climbing all 219 steps to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

Golfers come to play THE PLAYERS® Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, a course ranked one of the Top 10 Public Golf Courses in the world by Golf Magazine. It's where golf legends like Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler, Rorie McIlroy, and Cameron Smith have taken on the infamous 17th Island Hole. In fact, players can enjoy courses designed by global golf superstars across Florida's Historic Coast.

16th century European settlers arrived to Florida by water. The site of a pristine shoreline and lush vegetation along the coast were a welcome sight then and now. Exploring Florida's Hsitoric Caost by water is a great way to learn about the unique history of First America. Harbor cruises like Florida Water Tours stick to the inland waterways, while Schooner Freedom Charter can explore deeper water while harnessing the wind.

The global cuisine found on Florida's Historic Coast reflects the international influences of the area. Go full-on Brit at the Bull & Crown Publick House, gorge on homemade pierogies at Gaufres and Goods, sidle up to the bar at the Spanish Taberna del Caballo, or sample a world of wines at the Carrera Wine Cellar. For Michelin star-worthy dining, Llama offers impressive Peruvian fare, Lotus Noodle Bar is starring Japanese ramen, and La Nouvelle Bistro presents French classics.

Getting to Florida's Historic Coast is easy too.  Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB), and Orlando International Airport are all within an easy drive.   

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, the rural beauty of Hastings, Elkton, St. Johns, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. Visitor Information Centers are located at 10 Castillo Drive, St. Augustine; 200 Solana Rd. Suite B, Ponte Vedra Beach: and at the St. Johns County Beach Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. For advance travel information, call 1.800.653.2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. Check us out on social media Instagram @FloridasHistoricCoast; @ViajaStAugustine,  Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine, and Facebook.com/ViajaStAugustine and Twitter @FlHistoricCoast