The Best of St. Augustine

Here we will discuss The Best of St. Augustine! St. Augustine Florida is a great way to enjoy a beach holiday. St. Augustine’s beaches stretch from Vilano Beach north of the city to Crescent Beach in the south. The Intracoastal Waterway naturally divides the mainland from the barrier islands with their miles of gorgeous coastline with many public areas for beach recreation and relaxation. Among the things to do here, visiting St. Augustine’s beaches are often at the top of the list. St Augustine’s beaches provide a variety of options, from idyllic State Parks to public beaches only a block or two from restaurants. You can choose to spend a day at gorgeous, unspoiled Anastasia State Park, where no cars are allowed on the beach, or drive a bit farther south to St. Augustine Beach where cars are allowed in designated areas. When your day at the beach is done, be sure to check out the great local bars and restaurants that line A1A, “Beachfront Avenue.”

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St. Augustine Weather (When to Visit)

The best time to visit St. Augustine is between March and May. During this time, you’ll find fewer people, comfortable temperatures and low hotel and airfare rates. The crowds – and prices – are at their largest during the months of June to August when families flock here once school is out, so book your flights and hotels well in advance. You can enjoy favorable temperatures and get accommodation deals from September to November. These months do fall within the Atlantic hurricane season, which starts in June and lasts until the end of November. Between March and May is a great time to escape Florida’s extreme humidity without encountering the area’s chilliest temperatures. However, average temperatures can hover between the 50s and 60s at times, so take a jacket.

Best St. Augustine Area Beaches

South Ponte Vedra Beach

If you’re a fan of shelling, then South Ponte Vedra Beach is one of the best beaches in Saint Augustine for you! Many shells line the shores of this beach and beautiful sand dunes. Some of the most breathtaking resorts are located in Ponte Vedra, as well as some great golf courses. The gorgeous white sands of South Ponte Vedra Beach makes it perfect for sunbathing or for a beach picnic with friends or family. There is a really relaxed and luxurious atmosphere at this beach.

St. Augustine Beach

St. Augustine is great for families as there’s a beachfront park, a pavilion, and even a splash park and a sand volleyball court! The hard-packed sand of St Augustine beach makes it ideal for a bike ride as well as sunbathing, and there are a tonne of water activities. The waves at St Augustine beach attract surfers, paddle boarders, and more.

Vilano Beach

Vilano Beach is the perfect choice if you’re wanting to make a day out of your beach visit, but without the hustle and bustle of Saint Augustine, and there are plenty of dining options. This is also a great beach for water sports. The heavy surf and strong current makes Vilano Beach ideal for surfing and skim-boarding.

Anastasia State Park Beach

Anastasia State Park has just about everything a beach goer could want; swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, sailboats, paddle-boarding… It is one of the best beaches in Saint Augustine if you’re looking for a beach with a tonne of things to do. Being a protected bird sanctuary, there’s a wide variety of birds to see, as well as turtles and other wildlife. There’s many different nature trails for you to walk that take you through the sand dunes.

Crescent Beach

The sand at Crescent Beach is also hard-packed, making it a great beach for long walks, bike riding and beach volleyball. You can also enjoy the usual surfing, swimming, and boogie boarding. If you’re looking for a beach that is quieter than some other beaches in the Saint Augustine area, Crescent Beach is the beach to head to.

Best St. Augustine Restaurants

Mango Mango’s Caribbean Grill & Bar $11 – 30

They invite you to come in and smell the salt air and savory spices, feel the soft breezes from the ceiling fans, absorb the tropical colors, and take a vacation from everyday life. Whether you choose to drink and dine inside their cozy island-inspired dining room or dine outside on their shaded patio overlooking the beach goers of A Street, they want your meal to be as relaxing as it is delicious. The food at Mango Mango’s combines the best of classic American fare with flavors from the Caribbean and the Southwest. There are over fifty unique menu items to choose from including award-winning appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, salads, fish and chicken entrees, and desserts. Telephone: 904-461-1077 Web: Mango Mango’s Caribbean Grill & Bar.

Sunset Grille $11 – 30

Award winning creations and a Key West style atmosphere. In 25 years of operation, they have participated in, and hold multiple awards from, many local culinary events such as The Great Chowder Debate, The Taste of St. Augustine, The Taste of The Beach and The Datil Pepper Festival. Many of the awards they were given, were voted on by the locals! Telephone: 904-471-5555 Web: Sunset Grille.

The Balefire Brasserie $11 – 30

This New American restaurant boasts prime beef, fresh seafood, cured meats and seasonal vegetables. Ingredients are locally-sourced from area farms to bring only the freshest cuisine to St. Augustine. The name, The Balefire Brasserie, was inspired by the lighthouse located on Anastasia Island. Before there was electricity, lighthouses used fires to direct fisherman to shore. The Balefire Brasserie will implement much of the same time and care the lighthouse keepers used from yesteryear when preparing its fresh locally-sourced fare. Telephone: 904-826-1016 Web: The Balefire Brasserie.

College Restaurant $31 – 60

When dining at Collage, be prepared for a first-class, award-winning experience. The menu reflects the eclectic tastes of owners Mike Hyatt and Cindy Stangby and focuses on fresh local seafood, steaks, lamb and veal, using international flavor profiles. Located just a block off of St. George Street in the heart of the historic district, Collage serves dinner nightly from 5:30 p.m. Telephone: 904-829-0055 Web: College Restaurant.

The Floridian $11 – 30

They call it ‘Innovative Southern Fare for Omnivores, Herbivores and Locavores.’ Regionally-inspired and fresh from the source, their cuisine is a synthesis of Down-home Southern Comfort Foods, and lighter, healthier, vibrant and creative dishes–with many vegetarian options. They support local growers and producers because–to them–that just makes sound, sustainable sense. Their menu will change continuously with the seasons, and will reflect their sincere appreciation of traditional Southern cooking with an updated dedication to keeping it fresh–literally and figuratively. Keep an eye out for their featured Farm, Fish, and Artisan partners as they do their best by their incredible product. After all, a restaurant’s menu can only be as good as the ingredients used to craft it. Telephone: 904-829-0655 Web: The Floridian.

Best Bars & Nightlife

The Ice Plant

Ice is an integral component of a well-made drink. Their mission is to return to the craft of ice harvesting by freezing purified water in large blocks. Their bartenders can make drinks colder and with precisely the desired amount of dilution. Telephone: 904-829-6553 Web: The Ice Plant.

The Social Lounge

The Social Lounge opened on June 10, 2016. They are a lounge specializing in Florida Craft beers and organic wines and sangria. They offer indoor and outdoor seating and are pet friendly outside. They also offer board and card games to play while you are there. Stop by when you are visiting St. Augustine to enjoy a pint or glass of wine. Cheers! Telephone: 317-270-7002 Web: The Social Lounge.

Ann O’Malleys Irish Pub

Join the locals at their favorite Irish Pub! Ann O’Malley’s has been called “The Local’s Local” and when you visit you’ll see that they treat you like you’re one of the family. If you’re looking for the best place for a pint, a great sandwich or to watch your favorite Soccer, Rugby, Football, Baseball, Hockey or Basketball game, then you have found the place to be in Saint Augustine. Each week they have daily specials, an open mic night, a pub quiz night and great live music for you to enjoy. Telephone: 904-825-4040 Web: Ann O’Malleys Irish Pub

Red Frog & McToad’s Grub & Pub

Redfrog & McToad’s is the first Grub-N-Pub in Northeast Florida. Stop by today and enjoy their casually cool eating and drinking establishment. They invite you to experience the difference, they are the new beach destination! With 25 flat screen TVs, you can rest assured that you’ll have a great seat for the big game. Their family-friendly atmosphere and children’s menu are great for an affordable night out on the town. Telephone: 904-814-8430 Web: Red Frog & McToad’s Grub & Pub.

Tradewinds Lounge

The Tradewinds Tropical Lounge is dedicated to having the very best live entertainment in North Florida. Featuring Those Guys, Spanky, Lisa and the Madhatters and Blistur—acts that complete the evolution from our early days as folk lounge to our current mix of the best music — rock’n’roll, blues, and a little country. The place has a unique decor – a lot to look at and take in. The people are friendly and you will feel at home here. Telephone: 904-826-1590 Web: Tradewinds Lounge.