Florida's Historic Coast Travel Planner 2015 | Page 4

From the
President/CEO

F
This is it. The year we’ve been waiting for and the perfect time to visit
Florida’s Historic Coast. Home to Ponte Vedra Beach and St. Augustine,
the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States celebrates its 450th
anniversary in 2015. This incredible milestone will be commemorated throughout the year with
heritage and cultural events, art exhibits, live music, street fairs, a Spanish Wine Festival and much
more. The Historic Coast is a place settled by Spanish explorers and home to many other cultures:
Native American, Greek, Minorcan and British. But our history is not the same old story.
Sure, our destination is known for its more than 60 historic sites and attractions and a charming
walkable historic district, but it’s also home to the PGA Tour and THE PLAYERS Championship
in Ponte Vedra Beach, award-winning spas and an abundance of shopping. Northeast Florida’s
Historic Coast has much to offer for every interest, every taste and every budget.
Don’t just take our word for it. Budget Travel named St. Augustine one of the “25 Most Beautiful
Cities in America;” Coastal Living Magazine included us in its list of “10 Happiest Seaside Towns;”
Travel + Leisure Magazine called us one of “America’s 25 Favorite Beach Towns;” USA Today named
St. Augustine one of the “Top 10 Best Historic Cities in the U.S.” and Trip Advisor’s list of the top 25
best beaches in the U.S. recognized St. Augustine for its “endless beach.”
Our 42 miles of unspoiled beaches provide fun for the entire family with white quartz sand
perfect for building sand castles and inviting surf. You’ll enjoy swimming with the kids, surfing or
fishing. And if you’re looking for romance, the area’s pristine beaches are a peaceful place to watch
the sunrise.
While nearly 100 weddings take place each month on Florida’s Historic Coast, you don’t have to
be getting married or renewing vows to build lifelong memories with a romantic visit. Take in the
panoramic view from the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse with a glass of champagne. Enjoy a
private carriage ride through the historic streets of St. Augustine or a hand-in-hand stroll along the
beautiful Bayfront in St. Augustine at dusk as the perfect way to end the day.
Florida’s Historic Coast is on every golfer’s bucket list with more than a dozen championship
golf courses. Play the fairways where history is made each May at THE PLAYERS Championship
Stadium Course with its famous 17th island green at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Our destination is an adventure-lover’s playground, too. Hover over alligators and crocodiles
on the challenging Crocodile Crossing zip line course at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and
Zoological Park. Swim with dolphins at Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Kayak the ocean and rivers
with St. Augustine EcoTours or Ripple Effect EcoTours. Or, reel in the big one on a deep-sea charter
fishing boat.
Foodies will find themselves in paradise here. Fresh seafood, year-round farm-fresh produce,
Spanish tapas and the very best in New World cuisine are just a few of the culinary delights you’ll
enjoy. And the area’s temperate weather means you can dine waterside and outdoors all year
long.
We encourage all our potential visitors to connect with us through social media and by signing
up for our free e-newsletter on our website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. The newsletter
provides information on upcoming events and deals for our area on accommodations and much
more.
So while our history is not the same old story, after a trip to Florida’s Historic Coast you’ll have
plenty of your own stories to tell.

Visitors & Convention Bureau

FloridasHistoricCoast.com
29 Old Mission Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32084
904.829.1711

2015 Travel Planner
President/CEO
Richard Goldman
Executive Editor
Kathy Catron
Publications Manager
Stacey Sather
Publisher
Michael Cunningham
Producing Editor
Shelley Preston
Graphic Design Lead
Derek Schoenfeldt

List

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the publication at the
time of printing. Changes may occur after this time and viewers are
encouraged to view our website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com
where the most recent information is displayed.

©2015 St. Johns County
Visitors & Convention Bureau

(dba St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches)

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