Best Day Trips from St. Augustine

Living in St. Augustine and the surrounding areas – Ponte Vedra, Vilano Beach, World Golf Village and Jacksonville – sure do come with its perks. With some of the best beaches in the state, world-class golf, professional sports and a great culinary scene, Northeast Florida is a spectacular place to live — and it’s only a short drive from some very special places. Just hop in your car, and in a mere 45 minutes to hour-and-a-half, you can be whisked away to find Florida magic, without even having to stay the night.

Ravine Gardens State Park: 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177 (45 minutes from downtown St. Augustine)

Ravine Gardens is a stunning tropical paradise, filled with flowering plants and steep ravines. Located in Palatka, it has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1999. Open 365 days a year, from 8am to sunset, this beautiful park features ancient, narrow and deep ravines that have been transformed into rustic gardens. The park’s two ravines are 70-120 feet deep, with steep 45-degree angle banks, and a creek at the bottom called Whitewater Branch, a spring-fed stream that flows east into the St. Johns River. Over thousands of years, the ravines have become wider and deeper, and can be explored on foot or bike. In 1933, the ravines were transformed into the gardens we see today, with native and ornamental flowers, including up to 18 different varieties of azaleas. The peak flowering season is from January to March, where hundreds of azaleas bloom simultaneously in brilliant colors of white, pink, purple and coral. Large spans of azaleas can be found along trails and ravine sides, creating a spectacular display each year. A wonderful place to visit any time of the year, the annual Azalea Festival is held the first weekend in March and is a great time to soak in the unique beauty of Ravine Gardens State Park. Admission is only $5 per vehicle. Learn more on the park’s website.

Blue Springs State Park: 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, FL 32763 (1.5 hours from downtown St. Augustine)

Blue Springs is located west of Orange City, Florida, and is a popular place to see the gentle giants we call manatees, where in the winter up to 700 manatees can be found finding sanctuary in this most special place.  Open from 8am to sundown, 365 days a year, this crystal-clear spring is always a cool and refreshing 72 degrees. You’ll see wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers; you can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile trail. The spring is open for recreation from April 1st to November 14th, where you can leisurely swim, snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, canoe and tuba (tours and rentals are available too). With plenty to do on a day trip, there are cabins and campgrounds available for RV and tent camping if you’d like to stay awhile. Manatee season runs from November 15th to March 31st (with the swimming season ending just the day before to protect the beloved sea cows). Admission is $6 per vehicle. Learn more on the park’s website.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum: 4931 S Peninsula Dr, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127 (1.5 hours from downtown St. Augustine)

The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum is located right across from New Smyrna Beach, on the north side of the inlet. Constructed in 1887, the lighthouse has guided sailors along the Florida coast for more than 135 years, and at 175 feet tall, it is the tallest lighthouse in the state and one of the tallest in the U.S. With 203 steps to the top, the lighthouse offers spectacular views of the Atlantic and beautiful coastline. There are two museums on site, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Museum and Constance D. Hunter Historic Pacetti Hotel Museum, which provide an in-depth look into Florida’s maritime history, and the Ayers Davis Lens Exhibit includes the original lens from the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. The historic monument was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998, and continues to be a destination for visitors from all over the world. The monument opens at 10am and closes between 6pm and 9pm depending on the season (click here for hours of operation). Admission ticket prices vary and you can find rates here. Learn more about visiting here.

Flagler Beach Farmers Market: South 2nd Street & S Central Ave, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 (45 minutes from downtown St. Augustine)

Find the freshest in local produce at the Flagler Beach Farmers Market, hosted every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, at its new location in front of Flagler Beach City Hall. With an array of vendors, expect to find unique, handmade gifts and home wares and local chefs and bakers offering savory and sweet prepared foods. In-season fruit and vegetables are on hand, local art, jewelry, purses, clothing, art and more. With more than 30 local vendors, find fresh ingredients for dinner and a treat while you walk around; listen to tunes from local musicians and enjoy the beachy breeze. The market is sponsored by local non-profit, Flagler Strong, which supports the community during crises and natural disasters. Find the latest information on their Facebook here.

Little Talbot Island State Park: 12157 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226 (a little over 1 hour from downtown St. Augustine)

Little Talbot Island is a state park just 17 miles north of Jacksonville on State Road A1A. It boasts ancient dunes and pristine beaches, and is an undeveloped, secluded barrier island — one of only a handful left in Northeast Florida. Like the other state parks, it’s open 8am to sunset, and is only $5 per vehicle. Take in the beautiful nature and diverse ecosystem, untouched and rugged, to see Gopher tortoises, armadillos, marsh rabbits and even bobcats! There are 5 miles of beautiful beach, 3 miles of bike trails, a 4-mile sandy trail with live oaks dripping with Spanish moss overhead and the final two miles end by the sea. A great beach for shelling, find shark’s teeth, sand dollars and giant pieces of drift wood. Enjoy surfing, fishing and camping in a lush maritime hammock too. Learn more on the park’s site here.

Northeast Florida is a beautiful place to call home, with so much to do so close by, and just a little ways away. If you’re interested in calling St. Johns County home, or need help selling or purchasing a new property, Davidson Realty is here to help. Call us today at 904-940-5000 or email at info@davidsonrealtyinc.com.