This ocean route takes you along the northeastern coast of the Sunshine State. The scenery along the way is dominated by white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, sand dunes, small restaurants and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere.
Towns/Cities You'll Pass By/Through
Start out in St. Augustine, Florida. Drive from the junction of A1A and San Marco Avenue downtown St. Augustine Historic District.
Attractions & Points-of-Interests Along the Way
This road trip will take you through some nice attractions such as Bar-Non-Saloon, Anastasia State Park, St Augustine's alligator farm and Anastasia outdoors theater.
This route also passes by A1A Grill and the Oasis Restaurant. Further on, there's Butler beach park to your left - an ideal park for picnic.
Constructed between 1740 - 1742, this outpost fort represents a well-preserved masonry watchtower built by the Spanish. Fort Matanzas now serves as one of the reminders of the might of the early Spanish empire.
There's a park in the the barrier island setting along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas estuary where you can have an exceptional experience of natural habitat rich in wildlife, with coastal scrub, dense hardwood hammock and the open expanse of saltwater marshes.
Continuing across the Matanzas inlet bridge, there's Marineland - the oldest ocean aquarium in Florida.
After leaving Marineland, you'll see the entrance to Washington oaks state gardens to your right. This route provides you with access to 410 acres of coastal scenery that comprise Washington Oaks State Gardens. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, this area is famous for the unique shoreline of coquina rock formations that run along the Atlantic beach.
For a nice side trip you might want to visit the Historic district of St. Augustine, one of the most famous in America.
You can also stop at the Visitor Center Welcome Station. Here you will be provided with the info about recommended walking routes, tips on the best places to park and walk the historic streets, tram and buggy ride information, as well as brochures on more than 20 historic buildings and sites.
The oldest community in America, St. Augustine is a beautiful place with narrow streets bordered by historic 16th and 17th-century homes, inns, shops, and public buildings.