Palm Coast: Back Door to St. Augustine
So, you’re moving to Florida. Or, you’d sure like to. No one probably has to drill you on Sunshine State specifics, like those flash cards that once helped elementary-school students memorize multiplication tables. Remember those? We won’t tell. What we will tell you is the small city of Palm Coast is a great home base for enjoying one of the most historic places in the United States — St. Augustine, Florida. The Nation’s Oldest City is only 28.3 miles north of Palm Coast. That’s a mere 34 minutes on Interstate 95 — for you and thousands of other automotive travelers. We’d rather you think of Palm Coast as St. Augustine’s back door. So, let’s take the back way from your future new home, to …show more content…
Let’s go! But, use Palm Coast’s portion of the historic oceanside highway, A1A. A lovely ride through the oak-forested Hammock area, past Marineland Dolphin Adventures and its marina, sends you motoring up the coast within sight and smell of salt water.
Take This Detour
Or, make it a day trip another time. After you cross the Matanzas Inlet bridge only 12.5 miles north of Palm Coast, you’re on the southern tip of Anastasia Island, St. Augustine’s barrier island. To your left lies Fort Matanzas National Monument, which the Spanish began building in the fall of 1740 to keep British invaders and pirates from accessing St. Augustine through the Matanzas Inlet off the Atlantic — a watery back door. Now a national park, Fort Matanzas — perched on the west bank of the Matanzas River — is accessible only by park-service ferry. Well worth a visit.
You’re Getting Closer
Enjoy the open road through the beachside communities of first Crescent Beach, then northward into Butler Beach. By now, you’re almost to St. Augustine Beach, the fun-and-sun portion of St. Augustine.
Take More …show more content…
Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum — the lighthouse, circa 1874, still operates. The grounds and the 1876 keeper’s house also have been restored as museums. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park — one of Florida’s oldest attractions; it opened on May 20, 1893. Take the Crocodile Crossing zip line challenge across the park (and over giant, toothy reptiles) and gawk at other forms of wildlife.
Stop to Refuel
Less than a mile south of the historic Bridge of Lions — which whisks you from the northern tip of Anastasia Island into downtown St. Augustine — sits O’steen’s Restaurant, a plain concrete-block building. The red shrimp on its sign should be a signal. Owned by the same family for a long, long time, it serves up authentic southern seafood (fat, fried shrimp!) with homemade sides such as coleslaw and squash casserole. And real iced tea. And homemade pies. It’s cash only. Do an ATM run first, if necessary.
You’re There!
Refortified, cross the Bridge of Lions to St. Augustine, which was founded by Spain’s Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés on September 8, 1565 — and still is an amazing, vibrant place. Wasn’t it fun getting here? Without the monotonous blur of interstate and
So, you’re moving to Florida. Or, you’d sure like to. No one probably has to drill you on Sunshine State specifics, like those flash cards that once helped elementary-school students memorize multiplication tables. Remember those? We won’t tell. What we will tell you is the small city of Palm Coast is a great home base for enjoying one of the most historic places in the United States — St. Augustine, Florida. The Nation’s Oldest City is only 28.3 miles north of Palm Coast. That’s a mere 34 minutes on Interstate 95 — for you and thousands of other automotive travelers. We’d rather you think of Palm Coast as St. Augustine’s back door. So, let’s take the back way from your future new home, to …show more content…
Let’s go! But, use Palm Coast’s portion of the historic oceanside highway, A1A. A lovely ride through the oak-forested Hammock area, past Marineland Dolphin Adventures and its marina, sends you motoring up the coast within sight and smell of salt water.
Take This Detour
Or, make it a day trip another time. After you cross the Matanzas Inlet bridge only 12.5 miles north of Palm Coast, you’re on the southern tip of Anastasia Island, St. Augustine’s barrier island. To your left lies Fort Matanzas National Monument, which the Spanish began building in the fall of 1740 to keep British invaders and pirates from accessing St. Augustine through the Matanzas Inlet off the Atlantic — a watery back door. Now a national park, Fort Matanzas — perched on the west bank of the Matanzas River — is accessible only by park-service ferry. Well worth a visit.
You’re Getting Closer
Enjoy the open road through the beachside communities of first Crescent Beach, then northward into Butler Beach. By now, you’re almost to St. Augustine Beach, the fun-and-sun portion of St. Augustine.
Take More …show more content…
Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum — the lighthouse, circa 1874, still operates. The grounds and the 1876 keeper’s house also have been restored as museums. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park — one of Florida’s oldest attractions; it opened on May 20, 1893. Take the Crocodile Crossing zip line challenge across the park (and over giant, toothy reptiles) and gawk at other forms of wildlife.
Stop to Refuel
Less than a mile south of the historic Bridge of Lions — which whisks you from the northern tip of Anastasia Island into downtown St. Augustine — sits O’steen’s Restaurant, a plain concrete-block building. The red shrimp on its sign should be a signal. Owned by the same family for a long, long time, it serves up authentic southern seafood (fat, fried shrimp!) with homemade sides such as coleslaw and squash casserole. And real iced tea. And homemade pies. It’s cash only. Do an ATM run first, if necessary.
You’re There!
Refortified, cross the Bridge of Lions to St. Augustine, which was founded by Spain’s Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés on September 8, 1565 — and still is an amazing, vibrant place. Wasn’t it fun getting here? Without the monotonous blur of interstate and