Something for everyone
Written: May 06 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Lots to do
Cons: Too many people doing it
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| CuppaJo's Full Review: St Augustine |
I have been going to the St. Augustine/Crescent Beach area for 20 years. I used to go there with my friends for a day at the beach when I lived in Gainesville (about 75 miles west of St. Augustine) and I was in high school. Then later, my parents bought a condo on the intracoastal side of the beach in Crescent, and my husband and I would utilize it frequently to enjoy the beach and day trip into St. Augustine.
My husband and I love the area! There is so much to do and see, and something for everyone in your group to enjoy. Beaches, sights, shopping, and dining.
The beaches are the best I've ever been to in Florida. White powder sand stretching for 100 yards to the ocean when the tide is low. You can drive your car on the beach, which is nice when you've got a ton of gear to carry along. The only drawbacks to that are that some people don't pick up after themselves as much as they could, and occasionally you have to put up with wall to wall cars and people with loud stereos. Amazing sunrises that urge you to greet the day with energy and enthusiasm. Waves you can surf or body surf for several yards to the tide line. A great way to relax and get back to Mother Nature!
St. Augustine has lots of things to see - the Castillo de San Marco, an old Spanish fort, is still standing after hundreds of years, and they give tours through it and tell you about its history. There is an "Oldest School House", a graveyard for French Hugenaughts, Ripley's "Believe it or Not" museum, a tram ride through the city to see the sights, and an Alligator Farm to name just a few things to do. The Marina is fun to walk through and see the boats, and the Bridge of Lions into the city is one of the oldest bridges in America. Don't forget the Lighthouse! They used to give tours of that, but now I believe they have a building as a museum and show you pictures of how the lighthouse used to be.
Our favorite place to go is St. George Street, an historical street that still has original buildings from the 1500's and original cobblestone on the street. It really isn't a street per se, but is now a very wide sidewalk for all the people who like to walk along St. George and window shop.
The shops are rather touristy for the most part - you know the kind, "I LOVE FLORIDA" t-shirts, shell necklaces, Lighthouse paintings - but there are also unique and upscale ones too. There are art galleries, jewelry stores, museums, and churches. My personal favorite establishment is "Dream Street", a bookstore that has a reading area, lots of incense, jewelry, and even a cat that roams into the store whom everyone loves!
Restaurants abound, as they do in most tourist places. You have to pick through and go to the good ones, as you can get rooked by the tourist traps. I suggest Gypsy Cab Company just before the Bridge of Lions, which is not a taxi service, but a very hip and ultra delicious restaurant that I ALWAYS make a point of going to when we visit St. Augustine. Their House Pate is to die for! I also like Scarlet O'Hara's, Panama Hatties, and Saltwater Cowboys.
You can do St. Augustine on a budget. There are chain hotels you can stay in that are cheaper, especially during the off season, but if you really want to be in the heart of it, stay at a Bread and Breakfast. It's a bit pricey, but you'll love waking up in the midst of the oldest city in the U.S.!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
CuppaJo
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Member: Jo
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 14 members
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