Florida’s Historic Coast: The Best Beaches In and Around St. Augustine

Florida’s northeast corner holds some of America’s most intriguing history. St. Augustine gets the bragging rights of being the oldest city in the United States, and offers an abundance of ways to relive the nation’s past. While history is what often draws visitors here, the beaches are what make them linger even longer. I feel this region has some of the best beaches on Florida’s east coast, and you’ll want to make sure you pad in some extra time for the beach when you visit. 

I’ve put together a list of the best beaches on Florida’s historic coast, and calculated times based on the distance from Historic Downtown St. Augustine since that is likely to be a part of your trip. Feel free to take your pup along, too. Many of these beaches are dog-friendly, but you’ll need to keep them leashed. 

Distance from Historic Downtown St. Augustine: 2 miles 

This pristine beach at Anastasia State Park has over four miles of natural coastline, and this is a great place to enjoy the unspoiled beach—especially since you can camp in the park and enjoy a few days of peaceful beach time. The last time I visited, it was so quiet and peaceful, and I loved walking along and taking in the sights of the picturesque dunes. The swimming area at the beach access ramp by the Island Beach Shop and Grill is staffed with a lifeguard from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but you can enjoy the beach there throughout the year.

If you want to enjoy the beach on two wheels, you can rent a bike at the concession area inside the park. You’ll likely see surfers enjoying the breaks there, too. The park also has free beach wheelchairs available upon request. While dogs are allowed in certain areas within the park, they aren’t allowed on this beach. 

Local Tip: Take your binoculars, as this park is a part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. According to eBird, over 260 species have been observed there. 

Distance from Historic Downtown St. Augustine: 5 miles 

Vilano Beach is my personal favorite in the area, and I just really love the local feel of this beach. It’s a short drive from St. Augustine’s historic downtown, located just on the other side of the bridge. This laid-back beach has multiple places to access the beach, and if you want to be within walking distance of a few shops and restaurants, as well as the Vilano Beach Pier, I suggest going to Vilano Beachfront Park. On the northern end of Vilano Beach, another beach access area I like is Surfside Park. 

Local Tip: I like staying at The St. Augustine Beach House because it’s right on the beach and it’s easy to walk out and catch an epic sunrise. However, one of the other biggest perks is the free shuttle ride to downtown St. Augustine. It saves you the hassle of having to look for (and pay for) a parking spot there. 

Distance from Historic Downtown St. Augustine: 5 miles

This spot is a popular area for a variety of reasons. The 1,300-foot pier makes this a great spot for fishing, but if you’re just looking for scenic views, you’ll enjoy a walk on it, too. You do have to pay a few bucks to access the pier, but it’s worth it. This park also offers other amenities too though, such as volleyball courts and a splash pad. 

Local Tip: The Wednesday Pier Farmers Market happens here each week and is a great place to get fresh food and check out the wares of local artisans.  

Distance from Historic Downtown St. Augustine: 8 miles 

I love this one because of the unique history behind it. Back in the days of segregation, everyone didn’t have access to enjoy the state’s beautiful beaches as they do today. A man named Frank Butler didn’t agree with this, and started purchasing beachfront property to create an area where African-Americans could enjoy the beach. This is the present-day Butler Beach, which became a beach welcoming of all, regardless of color. You can access this beach from Frank Butler Beachfront Park East, and you’ll find restrooms, showers, and BBQ grills there. 

Local Tip: While you’re in the area, you can also check out Frank Butler Park West that offers great views of the Matanzas River. 

Distance from Historic Downtown St. Augustine: 10 miles 

Don’t get this beach confused with Florida’s other Crescent Beach that’s located on the state’s west coast in Siesta Key. This Crescent Beach is found on the southern end of St. Augustine. The beach is named because of the shape of its crescent-shaped coastline, and you can access this family-friendly beach at Crescent Beachfront Park. Beacher’s Lodge is located right on Crescent Beach next to the park where you access the shoreline, and it is a great option for those hoping to wake up to oceanfront views. 

Local Tip: Grab a slice of pizza at Tony’s Pizza. If you love true, authentic New York-style pizza, you won’t be disappointed. It’s a local favorite that’s been there for decades, and is right across the street from Crescent Beach Park. 

Distance from Historic Downtown St. Augustine: 18 miles 

If peace and serenity are what you’re looking for, North Beach is your place. You won’t find a lot of people, but its unspoiled beauty is quite impressive. Just make sure to take everything you need, as there aren’t any stores along the beach here. There’s a parking lot on the other side of A1A, and surprisingly, one of the coolest features of the beach is located there in the parking lot. That’s where you’ll find a statue of Ponce de Leon that celebrates his landfall in Florida. Navigational data has shown that he landed in that geographic area. It’s a pretty cool feeling to be standing where that pivotal moment in history took place. 

Local Tip: The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve maintains this beach, and you can drive about 10 minutes south on A1A to reach the GTM Research Reserve Visitor Center. This is an interesting spot where you can see aquariums and meet the area’s aquatic residents. There are several hands-on experiences for the kids as well. 

Distance from Historic Downtown St. Augustine: 20 miles 

Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park is located within the community of Ponte Vedra, and is a standout for me. There is one big thing that makes this place special—it’s a great place to search for shark teeth! There is a parking area at this beach, but it is a popular area. During busier times like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day weekends, you may want to park at Cornerstone Park and jump on the free shuttle that will take you to Mickler’s.  

Local Tip: Before you go out hunting for shark teeth for the first time, spend a few minutes studying up on how to find shark teeth. There are a variety of sharks that can be found in the area, including Mako, Great Whites, Sand, Tiger, and more. Knowing how to identify teeth ahead of time makes it easier to spot them. 

Distance from Historic Downtown St. Augustine: 27 miles 

Ponte Vedra Beach is a coastal community that has a luxury feel. There are some nice resorts such as Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and The Lodge & Club that allow easy access to the beach. The beach may be the star of the show here, but golfing is also a huge part of this community. Golf enthusiasts may want to plan a trip during The PLAYERS Championship—one of the sport’s biggest events that happens each March at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. 

Local Tip: TPC Sawgrass is a public course, and you can book a tee time for yourself to play where the pros play. There are two courses: Dye’s Valley Course and THE PLAYERS Stadium Course. The latter is the one where you’ll find the 17th Island Green—one of the sport’s most famous holes.  

If you’re flying in from out of town, you can book a flight to Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) has been adding some new carriers lately too, so you may also want to consider that as an option. Both are about an hour away from St. Augustine’s historic downtown. 

I highly suggest renting a car to explore Florida’s Historic Coast. The drive along the A1A Scenic and Historic Byway (also known as the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway) is a cool road trip, and it’s nice to be able to cruise at your own pace and stop wherever you like as you make your journey to some of the area’s stunning beaches. There aren’t many places in Florida that let you pair centuries-old history with uncrowded Atlantic beaches, and that’s what makes exploring the Historic Coast so rewarding.  

*Distances are approximate and based on driving routes from Historic Downtown St. Augustine.