Guestbook Jacksonville 2017-18

where traveler.com

®

FIRST COAST JACKSONVILLE, ST. AUGUSTINE & AMELIA ISLAND

WELCOME TO THE FIRST COAST

CONTENTS

FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST Don’t miss these five local highlights, from pristine beaches and historical architecture to sensational shopping and a dazzling local culture.

LAURA ANDERS LEE

12 NATURE’S NURSERY The GTM Research Reserve, one of the world’s largest estuaries, is home to animals like dolphins, alligators, frogs, blue herons and bald eagles.

LAURA ANDERS LEE; PHOTOS BY WILL DICKEY ON THE COVER: SUNRISE OVER THE ST. JOHNS RIVER AT ROUND MARSH, ©WILL DICKEY INSIDE COVER: KATHRYN ABBEY HANNA PARK, ©WILL DICKEY 2

W H E R E G U E ST B O OK

16 SOME LIKE IT HOT The datil pepper spices up Florida’s culinary scene.

BELINDA HULIN

20 AMERICA’S OLDEST STREET Aviles Street offers food, art galleries, shopping—and history.

KARA POUND

22 JIM FURYK, MR. 58 The Ponte Vedra resident talks golf and his favorite First Coast restaurants.

SCOTT KAUFFMAN

24 ALL ALONG THE COAST From Amelia Island to Jacksonville down to Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine, the First Coast charms visitors with its diversity and beauty.

JUSTIN BRAUN, LAURA ANDERS LEE AND SHELLEY PRESTON

48 PARTING SHOT Our Lady of La Leche Shrine: A Mother’s Sanctuary

©WILL DICKEY; ©KRISTEN PENOYER; JOE VOGAN / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

8 FIRST LOOK

THE COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA Rooted in the history of motor sports and watchmaking, the legendary chronograph that was born to race.

It doesn’t just tell time. It tells history.

OYSTER PERPETUAL COSMOGR APH DAY TONA

rolex

oyster perpetual, cosmograph and daytona are ® trademarks.

FIRST COAST ADVERTISING & CIRCULATION GROUP PUBLISHER Jim Wray ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Teresa Wilson REGIONAL BUSINESS MANAGER Shelonda West

MORRIS VISITOR PUBLICATIONS MVP I EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT Donna W. Kessler CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Dennis Kelly VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS Angela E. Allen VICE PRESIDENT, INTERNAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Karen Rodriguez REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, SALES Kristen Standish DIGITAL OPERATIONS MANAGER Richard H. Brashear II DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION Scott Ferguson NATIONAL MARKETING MANAGER Melissa Blanco

MVP I NATIONAL SALES VICE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL INTEGRATED SALES Rebekah Valberg VICE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL MARKETING Adeline Tafuri Jurecka DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL SALES Liza Meneades MANAGER, NATIONAL INTEGRATED SALES David Gately E-MAILS FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE : FIRSTNAME.LASTNAME@MORRIS.COM

MORRIS COMMUNICATIONS CHAIRMAN William S. Morris III PRESIDENT & CEO William S. Morris IV

Where GuestBook® is produced by Morris Visitor Publications (MVP), a division of Morris Communications, Co., LLC. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901, morrismedianetwork.com. Where® magazine and the where® logo are registered trademarks of Morris Visitor Publications. MVP publishes Where magazine, Where® QuickGuide, IN New York, and IN London magazines, and a host of other maps, guides, and directories for business and leisure travelers, and is the publisher for the Hospitality Industry Association.

In City Name, Where Guestbook is pleased to be a member of list associations here.

MVP IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF LES CLEFS D’OR USA

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FIRST COAST EDITORIAL EDITOR Laura Anders Lee ART DIRECTOR Jennifer Keller Vaz ASSISTANT EDITOR Gillian Glover CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Justin Braun, Belinda Hulin, Scott Kauffman, Kara Pound, Shelley Preston CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jesse Brantman, Will Dickey, Kristen Penoyer MORRIS VISITOR PUBLICATIONS MVP I CREATIVE CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER Haines Wilkerson SENIOR REGIONAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Margaret Martin

DESIGN DIRECTOR Jane Frey DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Isaac Arjonilla CREATIVE COORDINATOR Beverly Mandelblatt

MVP I PUBLICATION SERVICES PUBLICATION SERVICES DIRECTOR Kris Miller PUBLICATION SERVICES MANAGER Cher Wheeler DIGITAL IMAGING & RETOUCH Erik Lewis

MVP I MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING Donald Horton TECHNICAL OPERATIONS MANAGER Tony Thorne-Booth E-MAIL FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE: FIRSTNAME.LASTNAME@MORRIS.COM

ORLANDO EDITORIAL OFFICE 801 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite 201 Orlando, FL 32803 Phone: 407.318.7261 Fax: 407.852.4060 wheretraveler.com

Where GuestBook® publishes editions for the following U.S. cities and regions: Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Florida Gold Coast (Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beach), Fort Worth, Island of Hawai‘i, Houston, Jacksonville/St. Augustine/Amelia Island, Kansas City, Kaua‘i, Los Angeles, Maui, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Northern Arizona, O‘ahu, Orange County (CA), Orlando, Philadelphia, Reno/Lake Tahoe, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle/The Eastside/Tacoma, Southwest Florida (Naples), Tampa Bay, Tucson, Washington D.C. ©2017 by Morris Visitor Publications. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party for the content of any advertisement in this publication, including any errors and omissions therein. By placing an order for an advertisement, the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher against any claims relating to the advertisement.

Printed in Country Name Goes Here.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Will Dickey

Belinda Hulin

Will Dickey has been a Jacksonville resident since he became a staff photographer for The Florida Times-Union in 1983. His work has been featured in Florida Trend, First Coast Magazine, Jacksonville Magazine, Newsweek and Time magazines, as well as ABC World News and National Geographic’s website.

Will has won regional and national awards for his newspaper work, but he has a special respect for nature and for the beauty of the northeast Florida landscape, especially the Timucuan Preserve, the St. Johns River and the Atlantic coastline. The waterways and woods are his passion, professionally and personally, and photographing them is something of a return to his roots, having grown up in Alabama fishing and turning his camera to nature at a young age. Visit www.willdickey.com and www.willdickeyphotography. zenfolio.com.

Born in Louisiana, Belinda Hulin developed a love early on for spicy Cajun-Creole cuisine. Today she travels between New Orleans and her home in Atlantic Beach, where she loves creating recipes and cooking with datil peppers. She’s enjoyed a long career writing about food and entertainment for newspapers, websites and magazines, including Where First Coast magazine and past issues of the Guestbook. She’s also the author of several cookbooks, which you can find at her website, www.belindahulin.com.

“Nature’s Nursery,” page 12

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“Some Like it Hot,” page 16

Kara Pound

“America’s Oldest Street,” page 20

Kara Pound is a professional writer who recently left a sweet gig as director of communications at a craft distillery to get back to doing what she loves best . . . carefully crafting words that tell a story about a person, place or thing. A writer by day and a mom and music lover by night, Kara’s work has been published in INKED, Florida Trend, Florida Design, Artisan Spirit Magazine and Jacksonville Magazine. She is currently a resident of St. Augustine, Florida a.k.a. the Nation’s Oldest City and gets mild road rage when stuck behind horse-drawn carriages on the bay front.

Scott Kauffman

“Jim Furyk, Mr. 58,” page 22

Scott Kauffman is the leading writer on golf course business, private clubs and resort-style real estate worldwide. A former staff writer for USA Today, the Orlando Sentinel and Golfweek Magazine, the Orlando-based journalist now runs his own Luxury Golf and Resort Real Estate Network where he highlights the world’s best places to “Live, Work and Play.” To learn more, please visit www.Vacation HomeMarket.com.

FIRST LOOK

TRACEROUDA / ISTOCK PHOTO

From first-class beaches to the first city in the United States, the First Coast beckons visitors with its rich history and natural beauty.

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The Beaches Be the first to greet the sun as it rises above the Atlantic Ocean, and the smooth sands come alive with color. The First Coast calls visitors to its shores season after season. From Amelia Island to Jacksonville Beach and from Ponte Vedra to Anastasia Island, visitors will find everything from local surfing hangouts to secluded beaches and from world-class resorts to meticulously maintained state parks.

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9 XX

Fernandina Beach Amelia Island became known as the “Queen of Summer Resorts” when wealthy families like the Vanderbilts, Carnegies and DuPonts vacationed here at the turn of the century. Ultimately, Flagler’s railroad diverted tourists farther south, preserving Amelia Island’s Victorian charm. Visitors can spend a day in downtown Fernandina Beach, shopping at boutiques, noshing at local eateries, and enjoying a beer at Florida’s oldest pub, the Palace Saloon.

Jax Arts & Culture The First Coast of Florida is a center for culture and the arts. Admire

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Flagler College

fantastic art at Jacksonville’s

While students now occupy this fabulous building,

at the Museum of Contemporary

visitors can discover St. Augustine’s magnificent gilded

Arts (MOCA), pictured here. See

age on an architectural tour, highlighting the former

award-winning exhibits, the plan-

Ponce de Leon Hotel. Real-estate baron, railroad develop-

etarium and live-animal shows at

er and Rockefeller’s business partner Henry Flagler built

the Museum of Science and History

the hotel in 1888, with help from friend Thomas Edison

(MOSH). Take in a Jacksonville

and acclaimed architects John Carrère and Thomas

Symphony Orchestra concert in

Hastings. The extraordinary 68-foot rotunda, 79 Louis

downtown’s waterfront venue, or

Comfort Tiffany stained-glass windows and Austrian-

see a performance in the historic

crystal chandeliers leave visitors pining for the past.

Florida Theatre or Ritz Theatre.

W H E R E G U E ST B O O K

Cummer Museum & Gardens and

(CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT) ©ESB PROFESSIONAL / SHUTTERSTOCK; ©DAWNA MOORE / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; ©VISIT JACKSONVILLE; (FACING PAGE) ©KENNETH KEIFER / SHUTTERSTOCK

FIRST LOOK

Castillo de San Marcos

Climb into a watchtower, run your hands across centuries-old coquina and see re-enactors portray Spanish soldiers firing out to sea. The oldest masonry fort in the nation, the Castillo was built by the Spanish in 1672 to ward off English pirates.

Re-enactments and demonstrations are hosted daily by the National Park Service.

12 W H E R E G U E ST B O O K PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT

NATURE’S NURSERY Northeast Florida is home to one of the world’s largest estuaries, the GTM Research Reserve.

PHOTOS BY WILL DICKEY TEXT BY LAURA ANDERS LEE

Cradled between Florida’s largest river and Earth’s second-largest ocean are fertile wetlands teeming with life. The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve spans nearly 75,000 acres south of Jacksonville, protecting and conserving the land for future generations.

The richly biodiverse area is home to some 580 species of plants, 358 kinds of birds, 303 fish, 44 types of mammals, 41 reptiles and 21 amphibians. From the area’s boardwalks and waterways, visitors can spot dolphins and manatees, alligators and frogs, or snowy owls, great blue herons and bald eagles.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: A RIVER COOTER SOAKS UP THE SUN; ROSEATE SPOONBILLS GET THEIR COLOR FROM THEIR SHRIMP DIET; A GREAT HORNED OWL KEEPS WATCH; A TREE FROG RESTS ON A BED OF FUNGUS; PREVIOUS PAGE: GTM RESEARCH RESERVE; BUTTON BUSH POLLINATION

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Florida’s First Coast is an outdoor wonderland, home to the GTM Research Reserve and eight state parks, from Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island down to Anastasia Island State Park in St. Augustine.

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SOME LIKE IT HOT Florida’s Culinary Scene Sizzles With the Datil Pepper TEXT BY BELINDA HULIN

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CHOCOLATE-COVERED PEPPERS AT HOT SHOT BAKERY AND CAFE; CHEF KENNY GILBERT GIVES HIS HOT CHICKEN AN EXTRA KICK; SHERRY STOPPELBEIN TENDS TO HER DATIL PEPPER PLANTS; DATIL B GOOD HOT SAUCE; HOMEGROWN DATIL PEPPERS OPENING PAGE: SHERRY STOPPELBEIN’S GARDEN; CHEF KENNY GILBERT’S DATIL PEPPER MASH

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(FACING PAGE TOP LEFT) COURTESY FLORIDA’S HISTORIC COAST (ALL OTHERS) ©KRISTEN PENOYER (4) (OPENING SPREAD) ©KRISTEN PENOYER (THIS PAGE) ©ISAAC ARJONILLA

Minorcan cuisine can best be described as coastal Spanish cooking with a kick. And that kick comes from the sweet heat of the Minorcan datil pepper, which is grown almost exclusively in Northeast Florida.

According to common lore, settlers from the Spanish island of Minorca brought their beloved pepper plant seeds with them to Florida. The peppers, along with the people and their culture, took root and flourished in the swampy, seaside heat. Some historians now believe the peppers—which are first cousins to habaneros—actually originated in Peru, then came with the Minorcans to Florida via a stopover in Cuba. But regardless of how they got here, datils became a signature of Minorcan cuisine and have migrated into Northeast Florida’s cuisine.

“You won’t find any ‘Minorcan’ restaurants here,” says Sherry Stoppelbein, owner of Hot Shot Bakery & Café in St. Augustine. “But you will find Minorcan influences in many places.”

Chiefly, you’ll find dishes featuring the datil pepper, which, if you can get past the 100,000 to 300,000 Scoville unit heat, has a complex, distinctive flavor. Stoppelbein, a native St. Augustinian and a direct descendant of Minorcan settlers, has been called the Duchess of Datil for her Datil B Good-brand hot sauces, spicy fruit salsas, mustards and dessert sauces. She grows her own peppers, harvests the small, thin capsicums when they change from bright green to vivid yellow, and makes the sauces in her catering kitchen.

Other local datil delicacies can be found in specialty shops and restaurants under brands like the Minorcan Datil Pepper, Cowgills, Dat’s Nice, 33 Peppers, A-Frame brands—and the granddaddy of commercially-produced datil sauces and relishes—Dat’l Do-It. In most cases, these hot sauces, spicy barbecue sauces, pepper jellies and datil mustards evolved from home recipes once jarred and bottled for friends. “Every Minorcan family has their own datil sauce recipe that they’ve hand-

My mother is from St. Augustine, and I grew up eating foods from the South. Every time I cook with datil peppers, there is a piece of me that connects with my mother.

ed down, usually made from their own plants or from a neighbor’s,” says Stopplebein.

Chef Kenny Gilbert laces dishes with datil peppers at his Jacksonville restaurant Gilbert’s Social and Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen in Fernandina Beach. “I love to use datil peppers because it’s a regional hot pepper that has amazing heat and flavor,” he says. “My mother is from St. Augustine, and I grew up eating foods from the South.

Every time I cook with datil peppers, there is a piece of me that connects with my mother. Plus datil peppers have a great fruity flavor.”

Ben and Liza Groshell’s popular Palm Valley Fish Camp offers fried gator tail with Cowgill’s Datil Pepper Aioli. And if you have a hankering for out-of-the-way barbecue, try Lisa Marston’s Woodpecker’s Backyard BBQ on State Road 13 at 16A. There, smoky meats are paired with a crisp-and-spicy datil slaw, datil-laced barbecue beans and datil corn.

If you’re in Northeast Florida in early October, the annual Datil Pepper Festival and Cookoff is held in St. Augustine the first Saturday in October. Or, in April, you can sign up for Sherry Stoppelbein’s Chocolate-Dipped Datil Pepper Eating Contest at the Hot Shot Bakery & Café.

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20 W H E R E G U E ST B O O K PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT

AMERICA’S OLDEST STREET Explore Art, History and Culinary Delights TEXT BY KARA POUND

PHOTOS BY JESSE BRANTMAN

From handmade leather goods and custom goldsmithing to small sidewalk cafes, historical museums and nearly a dozen art galleries and artisan shops, Aviles Street in downtown St. Augustine will transport you back in time.

Just off of King Street near the Bridge of Lions, Aviles Street has been home to many firsts over the past 450plus years. Named for the city’s founder and first governor of the American colonies, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the street has been recorded on maps since the 1570s. Aviles Street is lined with antique red brick pavers and coquina buildings—a strong sedimentary rock found on Florida’s beaches and used by early settlers.

The Spanish Military Hospital Museum offers daily 40-minute, guided tours where visitors can learn about medical practices and procedures in the Colonial Spanish Period of St. Augustine. There’s al so the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library, which offers limited hours, but has a lovely courtyard featuring the Jean Parker Waterbury Garden, as well as tours at the Ximenez-Fatio House and Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum.

Aside from museums and historical accounts of St. Augustine’s long and colorful history, food is another popular mainstay on Aviles Street. Check out Nonna’s Trattoria’s traditional Italian cuisine, Cellar 6’s wine bistro and tapas, La Herencia Café’s Cuban specialties and Peace Pie’s handmade ice cream sandwiches.

The street has also become an inspiration for the area’s artist community. When Karen Sheridan moved from Boston to St. Augustine to open an art gallery, she

chose Aviles Street for its vibrant arts culture and closeknit community. It’s been nearly a decade since Sheridan opened Plum Contemporary Gallery and she hasn’t looked back once.

“Since the 1920s, Aviles has been considered the place in St. Augustine where artists gather,” says Sheridan.

“From galleries and upstairs studio spaces to annual plein air events and First Friday Art Walk, this is the most concentrated art environment in the city.”

There are nearly a dozen art galleries and artisan shops on Aviles Street. Amiro Art & Found has been at its location for seven years and offers up works by local artists such as Deane Kellogg, Jan Master and Ginny Bullard.

Gallery co-owner and artist Wendy Mandel McDaniel says that the gallery’s eclectic atmosphere blends perfectly with the historic street’s Old World ambiance.

“Most people coming into the gallery for the first time are amazed that there is such a beautiful part of the city they didn’t know existed,” Mandel McDaniel explains.

“Actually, a lot of times they prefer being away from all the crowds and enjoy quietly strolling, stopping for something to eat and exploring all the great shops.”

In 2010, then-city archaeologist Carl Halbirt and his team uncovered pottery dating back to the early 1600s during a dig on Aviles Street. The find cemented the claim that Aviles is the oldest street in the United States.

For centuries, artisans, culinary creators and the like have entertained and enlightened those visiting this beautiful, quaint cobblestone street.

(Facing Page) Aviles Street facing north (This Page) Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum; Peace Pie ice cream sandwich; “Sons of St. Augustine” Statue

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Q&A

JIM FURYK, MR. 58 The Ponte Vedra resident holds 17 PGA Tour victories, $68 million in earnings and the lowest score in golf—ever.

INTERVIEWED BY SCOTT KAUFFMAN

After growing up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and becoming a two-time All-America golfer at the University of Arizona, you moved to Jacksonville in ’96.

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What do you like about living here?

I moved here for the weather and the practice facilities at TPC [at Sawgrass]. The cost of living was so much better than other spots I was considering.

But now I love the people and all the water … the river, ocean and intracoastal. I also like the small-town beach feel. And since [my wife,] Tabitha, and I started raising our children, now 13 and 15, Jacksonville is home.

hometown. It was also nice to see my friends David Duval and Fred Funk win at home as well.

where there is no phone, and only the folks I’m fishing with.

Very peaceful.

What are some of your favorite

Who would be in your Dream

restaurants in town?

Foursome of Golf?

I love Ruth’s Chris. I used to represent them and wear their logo on Tour. We have so many good restaurants—I love helping some of the foodies on Tour plan their week for restaurant choices.

Two I recommend are Medure [in Ponte Vedra Beach] and Sun Deli [in Jacksonville Beach].

My father; he taught me to play.

Byron Nelson, my idol. And such a gentleman. And Ben Hogan. I never had the honor of meeting him.

The prestigious Players Champi-

Your home golf club is Pablo Creek Club in Jacksonville, which features a highly acclaimed Tom Fazio-designed course. What do

onship is sometimes called golf’s

What are some of your favorite

you like about this property?

fifth major. What are some of

First Coast places?

your fondest memories playing

I’ve spent my last 21 years in PV [Ponte Vedra] and love living near the beach. Surprisingly, I don’t like the sand! I don’t spend much time ON the beach. I travel so much that my favorite spot is at home. It’s where I’m most comfortable. And being with the people who mean everything to me. To get away and relax, I like to be in a boat on the water.

Somewhere in the backwater

Pablo Creek has great people.

It’s also a beautiful and fun place to play golf. I get beat up on Tour, so I wanna play a golf course I can enjoy and relax with friends. Pablo is that place.

in this hometown event at the treasured TPC at Sawgrass?

For me, personally, finishing second a few years ago. I remember sitting on the clubhouse lead watching Martin Kaymer finish.

I was sitting in the corner of the clubhouse, behind a wall from the main bar. The place was going crazy and cheering for me.

It’s nice to feel that love in your

What is some of the best advice ever given to you?

To be myself. In golf. And in life. We are only truly happy and successful when we can be ourselves.

ZUMA PRESS, INC. / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Jim Furyk clinched the 2003 U.S. Open, appeared in nine Ryder Cups, earned 2010 PGA Tour Player of the Year and received the 2016 Payne Stewart Award for exemplifying Stewart’s “steadfast values of character, charity and sportsmanship.” Of all his golf-related highlights, however, perhaps the most memorable was on Aug. 7, 2016, when Furyk made PGA Tour history when he shot a 12-under 58 during the final round of the 2016 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, earning him the title “Mr. 58.”

Furyk took some time to tell us about his other favorite number: 904. That’s area code 904, or his favorite adopted hometown of Greater Jacksonville.

PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT

Veteran PGA Tour player Jim Furyk is known for having one of the most distinctive golf swings in the game.

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24 W H E R E G U E ST B O O K PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT

ALL ALONG THE COAST

PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT

AMELIA ISLAND, JACKSONVILLE AND ST. AUGUSTINE

Beach WHERE access GUEST in St. B Augustine OOK 25

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

MENU FAVORITES Oysters On The Half Shell Rockin’ Lobster Roll Mexican Shrimp Roll Woodgrilled Mahi Taco Beach Burger

Caribbean Shack Fish

Authentic Street Tacos

Boca Style Grouper Sandwich Chicken Salad BLT

SALT LIFE FOOD SHACK Consistently voted Best Seafood Restaurant in both St. Augustine and Jacksonville Beach, Salt Life Food Shack is the perfect destination for locals and visitors to enjoy great dishes, cool drinks and the opportunity to catch up with family and friends. Developed as an extension of Salt Life, these locally owned establishments make it easy to understand why so many embrace and choose this sandy and salty lifestyle.

Located just steps from the beach, our casual yet trendy open-air space accommodates all types of personalities from the avid seaman to the land lover. Our carefully crafted, eclectic menu is designed to match our diverse surroundings.

Comprised of our favorite tastes found on hundreds of surf and fishing trips both local and abroad, some menu selections include fresh seafood, authentic street tacos, fresh-rolled sushi, local fried shrimp, burgers and more.

If you’re staying close by, each location offers a FREE shuttle for pick up. Visit our website for more information or to view our full menu.

Stop in and experience firsthand what we hold near and dear to our hearts. The Salt Life. Eat. Drink. And be Salty.

Jacksonville Beach 1018 Third St. N., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

904.372.4456 St. Augustine Beach 321 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080

904.217.3256 Fernandina Beach - Coming Soon!

SaltLifeFoodShack.com

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FEATURED ARTISTS Royo Ramon Vilanova Jeong & Choon Yun Josep Domenech Anne Packard Josef Kote Matthew Cutter Dean Mitchell George Gallo

CUTTER & CUTTER FINE ART One of America’s foremost art dealers, Cutter & Cutter Fine Art has been North Florida’s leading destination for fine art lovers for the past 20 years. In the galleries, collectors will find artists from around the corner as well as across the sea.

Featuring original paintings, limited edition prints, sculpture and more... We believe that you will find visiting our galleries to be an unforgettable and rewarding experience filled with art that appeals to even the most discerning collector.

Sawgrass Village, Ponte Vedra 333 Village Main #640, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

904.395.3759 Downtown St. Augustine 25 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084

904.810.0460 www.cutterandcutter.com

Dmitri Danish M & I Garmash Frederick Hart Marton Varo Tang Wei Min Cynthia Packard Lotton Glass Paige Bradley Daniel Greene Simon Bull

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Ramon Vilanova

Josep Domenech

Royo

Jeong & Choon Yun

ALL ALONG THE COAST

The First Coast is that quintessential Florida vacation spot. Glorious miles of beaches, classic oceanfront resorts, scenic golf courses and plenty of family activities like riding horses, exploring historic sites, tromping through state parks and combing the sand for seashells and driftwood. From the timeless allure of Amelia Island and the historic charm of St. Augustine to the big-city culture of Jacksonville, there is something for every traveler.

Low tide slough, South End of Amelia Island

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Approached from the south on Highway A1A, Amelia Island unfurls as a part of Talbot Island State Park with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean framed by maritime hardwood, pine forest and salt marshes. The highway, dappled by sun and shadow from enormous oaks, gives way here and there to narrow roads leading to the beach. Plush oceanfront resorts whiz by, followed by winter homes and, then, the charming town of Fernandina Beach. Just to the north, Fort Clinch stands as one of the oldest military forts in the country, although it never saw a battle, and much of the land that surrounds is still undeveloped, calling visitors to come explore.

Before it was a vacation spot, Amelia’s rich past included pirates, soldiers and real-estate barons. Timucuan Indians were the island’s first residents, but over the last 400 years, Amelia has been fought over by nearly all of the colonial powers, earning the name “Isle of Eight Flags.”

The U.S. finally captured Amelia Island in 1817, but because of its contentious history, Amelia Island retains a mix of cultural influences in its architecture, development and seagoing ports.

In the following decades, the region morphed from a commerce center based around the fishing and military industries to a major tourism destination when the Mallory Steamship Line began bringing in wealthy travelers from New York to Florida’s first beach at the turn of the century.

One of the best ways for visitors today to learn about the area’s Victorian past is on a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic district of Fernandina Beach. After clip-clopping through town, step back in time with an old-fashioned cocktail at the Palace Saloon, considered the oldest bar in Florida and dating back to 1903. Local lore says Fernandina, a major shipping port at the time, was overrun by bawdy sailors looking for wine and women between deployments. The Palace was created as an elegant alternative, hoping to lure ship captains, yachtsmen and families like the DuPonts, Carnegies and Vanderbilts who vacationed nearby. Today, it still features its

©DAWNA MOORE / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; (PREVIOUS SPREAD) ©MICHAELWARRENPIX / ISTOCK PHOTO

Amelia Island’s Timeless Beauty

Located on the waterfront in historic downtown Fernandina 12 North Front Street | 904-277-3811 www.thesaltypelicanamelia.com

©DAWNA MOORE / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

original tile-mosaic floor, embossed-tin ceiling and an elegant mahogany and oak bar.

Another way to get familiar with Amelia’s fascinating past is at the Amelia Island Museum of History, the state’s first spoken-history museum, which offers ghost tours, private walking tours and daily docent-led tours.

As one would expect in a Florida island town, most activities take place on or near the water. One of Amelia’s most iconic must-dos is horseback riding on the beach. Kelly Seahorse Ranch and Amelia Island Horseback Riding provide expert guides and gorgeous horses. Even if you’ve never been in the saddle, the well-trained, gentle horses are suitable for novices. While on your ride, you’re likely to see a host of seabirds, dolphins and, of course, sun-dappled waves lapping the sandy shore.

While the ocean might be the first thing on many travelers’ minds when they think of Amelia Island, the vast marshland to the west offers endless peaceful creeks to paddle.

“Time seems to stand still while taking in the natural via kayak,” says Kim Bullington, who with her husband Mark owns Amelia Island Kayak Excursions. “It is wonderful to peacefully glide on Amelia’s waterways to get the perspective of its flora and fauna that few are fortunate to see.”

The beach scenes on Amelia Island are as diverse as they come. Whether it’s the lively Main Beach Park near town or the secluded natural dunes of Fort Clinch State Park, the island’s 13 miles of coastline pack an unbelievable amount of recreational possibilities and sheer natural beauty that keep visitors coming back time and time again.

• • • • •

Best Views for Sunset!

Happy Hour Fresh local seafood Full Bar Open Daily from 11 am

Wicked BAO

Asian Street Food in Downtown Fernandina Beach Small Plates * Noodle Bowls * Rice Bowls * Baos Beer * Wine * Sake * Vietnamese Coffee * Boba Tea

Come enjoy a new concept in food in a delightful, historical building Dine In or Take Out. Dinner and Happy Hour Nightly Monday-Saturday.

Hoyt House, Fernandina Beach

232 N 2nd St.• Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 • 904-775-5577

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AMELIA ISLAND

HORIZONS

Housed in the historic county jail, the Museum showcases the island’s 4,000 years of Florida history! Delve in to the lives of the Timucuan natives, experience the CivilWar in Nassau County, explore the Spanish Missions of La Florida, learn about the Birthplace of the Modern Shrimping Industry, of set Sail on the Discovery Ship. Feeling adventurous? Join our Ghost Tour. Tiptoe through dark streets as the past comes alive through skillful storytelling. This tour begins at 6pm every Friday and lasts one hour. Museum Hours: 10am-4pm, Mon-Sat, 1pm-4pm Sun Admission: $7 adults, $4 students/active militry (includes entry to the Museum and a Docent led tour at 11am and 2pm) Email: info@ameliamuseum.org.

Between The Ritz-Carlton and the Amelia Island Plantation, our restaurant offers traditional continental fare with a twist. Choose from an assortment of menu items prepared by our Chef and Owner Courtney Thompson. You can visit Horizons for a fantastic lunch, dinner or fresh food. We have gourmet items to please everyone in your group, including beef, lamb, seafood, chicken, and even gourmet vegetarian choices. Our menu is full of excellent choices. Call for a reservation and we’ll be waiting. You can carry-out your meals as well.

233 S 3rd St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

horizonsameliaisland.com

MUSEUM OF HISTORY

904-261-7378

www.ameliamuseum.org

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5472 First Coast Highway, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

(904).321.2430

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ART ON CENTRE BRINGING ART TO LIFE Art on Centre, located in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida represents over thirty artists from various mediums. Specializing in fine art and collectibles from living artists, the gallery has a wide variety of works spanning from breathtaking wood and glass sculptures to one of a kind oil and acrylic paintings. Our mission is to create personal connections with artists and clients… bringing art to life in a fun and approachable environment. Art on Centre offers a truly unique experience. We are open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.

EVELYNE TALMAN

WHERE THE OCCASION BEGINS Since it’s opening in 2000, Evelyne Talman of Florida has offered the ultimate in ladies’ fashions. Specializing in social and special occasion and island casual. The store features unique collections of jewelry and handbags, as well as, a wonderful selection of sportswear and evening separates. You will find many of your favorites, including Joseph Ribkoff, Tori Richard, Julie Vos, Eric Javits, Nic and Zoe, Tribal, Krazy Larry and much, much more. The staff offers distinctive customer service with its singular personal attention that is unsurpassed anywhere. Alterations are available.

4800 First Coast Highway, Amelia Island, FL

503 Centre St., Fernandina Beach, FL

904.624.7255

904.491.4878

www.evelynetalman.com

www.artoncentre.com

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Jacksonville: From River to Sea Jacksonville, the largest city by landmass in the nation and Northeast Florida’s historic urban economic engine, is a natural water wonderland that sports more shoreline than any other city in the U.S., with 22 miles of beaches, 40 miles of the Intracoastal Waterway and the longest stretch of the St. Johns River in the state of Florida. Founded in 1822, Jacksonville is home to the largest urban-park system in the country with more than 400 city parks, 34

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two national parks and seven state parks that are rife with watersports like swimming, surfing, paddleboarding, scuba diving, boating and fishing as well as land activities like hiking, camping, biking and wildlife observation.

Jacksonville is also a growing culinary destination, featuring hundreds of restaurants with tailored menus showcasing local produce, fresh seafood and provisions. A similar highlight is the curious amount of cocktail lounges and craft breweries.

Downtown Jacksonville combines big-city offerings with small-town charm and Southern hospitality. With 9 million annual visitors, it is “The Winter City in a Summer Land,” a phrase coined in the 1870s during the rise of Florida’s tourism industry. The St. Johns River, which once buzzed with paddle wheelers, steamships and schooners, remains the lifeblood of the district as luxury yachts, water taxis and sunset cruises sail past the thriving cultural corridors.

©HOLBOX / SHUTTERSTOCK

Jacksonville skyline at sunset

DINE OUTSIDE THE LINES. BLACKSHEEP5POINTS.COM

*Rooftop Bar + Dining 1534 OAK STREET JACKSONVILLE FL 32204 | 904.380.3091

The Riverwalk and Main Street Bridge connect the north and south bank of downtown Jacksonville via a 3-mile pedestrian pathway for walkers and cyclists. Another way to get from one side of the river to the other easily is to hop aboard a water taxi or the free Skyway automated tram system that glides above the river and city streets to connect various points of interest.

On the Northbank is Jacksonville Landing, a riverfront marketplace modeled after Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Next door is the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, home of the Jacksonville Symphony.

On the Southbank is St. Johns River Park with its stunning Friendship Fountain and MOSH, a science and history museum with planetarium.

Stretching across Downtown Jacksonville’s core are more than 50 venues that host the monthly First Wednesday Art Walk. On Saturdays, from March to December, the Riverside Arts Market, located under the Fuller Warren Bridge, presents an outdoor bazaar of live music, food and crafts. For modern art, check out Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)’s rotating exhibitions. The Florida Theatre, an iconic entertainment venue once home to vaudeville acts and silent films, now caters to all tastes in music, comedy and performance. On the city’s east side, find EverBank Field, home to the NFL Jaguars, the annual Florida-Georgia game and big-name concerts.

Downtown Jacksonville’s entertainment district, aka The Elbow, a walkable juncture of award-winning culinary, nightlife, live-music and performance venues. Cultivated around the historic Florida Theatre, The Elbow encompasses restaurants and bars between Bay and Adams streets, and Main and Liberty streets.

Nearby, in the historic neighborhood of San Marco, Mediterranean influence meets a burgeoning dining district. Stroll along San Marco Square and discover incredible bistros, upscale boutiques and sensational art galleries.

Florida Theatre

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Also located within the square is San Marco Theatre, an Art-Deco movie house, and Theatre Jacksonville, the oldest community theater in the country dating back to 1938. Don’t miss the San Marco fountain of lions, which reflects the neighborhood’s Venetian influence.

Riverside Avondale is internationally renowned for its distinctive mix of history, culture, character and community, and it is considered one of American’s great historic neighborhoods. During the peak years of Riverside’s development from 1895 to 1929, following the great fire that consumed downtown, the neighborhood became a laboratory for aspiring architects. The richness and variety of homes built during this period range from Colonial Revival, Georgian, Shingle Style to Queen Anne/Victorian, Bungalow and Tudor. Canopied residential streets lead visitors to pocket parks, some with river access, and quaint shopping districts where boutiques, restaurants and bars nest in 1920s-era commercial buildings. Nearby, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens offers world-class art spanning from 2100 B.C. through the 21st century.

In the 1920s, Five Points began as a commercial district catering to the rapidly growing residential areas surrounding it. Although officially a part of the Riverside-Avondale Historic District, Five Points evolved into one of Jacksonville’s most vibrant urban-core districts. Tattoo parlors and head shops sit comfortably among classy fashion boutiques and Jacksonville’s finest independent film house, Sun-Ray Cinema, which first opened in 1927 as the Riverside Theatre, the first in the city to screen films with sound. The attractive 1920s-era commercial strip with its unique architecture and colorful storefronts ends at the Five Points intersection with its iconic blinking light. Just beyond is one of the city’s most scenic and restful spaces, Memorial Park, which overlooks the St. Johns River.

To the east over on the city’s ocean side lie three beach communities, each with their own personality and style. A skyline of high-rise condos and hotels dips to its lowest point along the residential village of Neptune Beach where building-height restrictions leave the sandy shores bathed in constant sunlight. Marking the division between Neptune and Atlantic Beach, the artsy entertainment district of Beaches Town Center is an inviting, pedestrian-friendly area housing boutiques, fitness centers, restaurants and two oceanfront hotels. Enjoy Atlantic Beach’s two miles of white sandy shore with 14 ocean-access points in addition to 65 acres dedicated to parks, including the Dutton Island Preserve on the Intracoastal Waterway.

The relaxed coastal town of Jacksonville Beach is the commercial hub of the area’s three beach towns. Home to towering condos and hotels, Jax Beach sports a host of restaurants, nightclubs and bars. Check out the Sea Walk that runs north along the coast from the end of Beach Boulevard. It’s perfect for a leisurely stroll or bike ride, with access to waterfront restaurants, surf shops and kitschy beach souvenir shops. Surfers, anglers and beach bums all live the Salt Life, a popular phrase that was coined here and can now be found on T-shirts and bumper stickers around the country. The historic Casa Marina hotel, previously a haunt for silent-film-era stars, is a great place to enjoy dinner while watching the moonrise on the Atlantic.

©KEN MCCRAY / VISIT FLORIDA

ALL ALONG THE COAST

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

DINE IN. TAKE OUT. MEET UP. WIND DOWN.

RESTAURANT ORSAY

Located in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville, Bellwether is serving up elevated Southern classics that change seasonally to reflect emerging trends and flavors with Northeast Florida flair. Like its sister restaurants Orsay, Black Sheep, and BLK SHP at Intuition, Bellwether reflects chef and owner Jon Insetta’s focus on exceptional flavors, while spotlighting the culinary creativity of chef Kerri Rogers and the exceptional hospitality of manager Ashley Land. Rogers’ modern culinary chops are best tasted in dishes like ricotta gnudi, chicken and dumplings, and hot Italian beef sandwich, while other regional influences appear in Bellwether’s house-made kimchi plate and Korean fried broccoli. Bellwether also offers a full bar, extensive wine list and local beer and coffee on tap.

Located slightly off the beaten path in the Avondale Historic District, Restaurant Orsay attracts regular locals and foodies from across the southeast by showcasing their French Cuisine in a warm, inviting atmosphere, without being pretentious or stuffy. Owner Jonathan Insetta, Managing Partner Jason Eddy, and Executive Chef Michael McKinney, work to bring locally sourced ingredients together with genuine southern hospitality. Recognized as Jacksonville’s best restaurant by locals in Folio Weekly for the last six years, Restaurant Orsay is a premier dining destination on the First Coast. The establishment is accredited by AAA with four diamonds, has won numerous awards for food, service and wine, and is the only independent establishment in North Florida with Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence.

Bellwether, 100 N Laura Street Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32202

3630 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL

www.bellwetherjax.com

www.restaurantorsay.com

904.802.7745

904.381.0909

WHERE GUEST B OOK 37

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THE MOSSFIRE GRILL REAL FOOD. REAL FUN!

Spicy, Fresh, Fun — and then there’s the food. One of the founders of the “Five Points” dining district, Mossfire Grill is not your typical restaurant and it’s not your typical bar. Relax and indulge in Southwestern cuisine with a comfortable, sophisticated, eclectic flair. Everything here is made from scratch with an amped-up blend of New American and Southwestern traditions and only the healthiest ingredients.

There’s even vegan and gluten free options for those with a more selective palate!

So whether it’s a cozy corner in the downstairs dining area or the lively upstairs Bar, Mossfire has just the thing to match your mood. It’s no wonder Mossfire has been named one of the top places in Jacksonville by locals and visitors since it opened in 1998! Stop by today for lunch, dinner or one of the best Margaritas in all of JAX. 1537 Margaret Street

904.355.4434 Mossfire.com

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WASABI Located in the upscale St. John’s Town Center, Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse has become a Jacksonville favorite for exceptional sushi and hibachi-style steaks.

Originally established in Knoxville, TN in 2002, Wasabi has continually been awarded recognition as one of the top Japanese restaurants in the East Tennessee area.

Wasabi has expanded to four contemporarily-designed locations in the Southeast and regularly redesigns itself and explores innovative flavors to continue giving customers a fresh, new experience when they come celebrate their birthdays, anniversaries, corporate events, proms, graduations, and more. With a dynamic menu range from exquisite sushi to succulent meats and delectable seafood, patrons can enjoy their meals at the energetic bar, the lively hibachi tables, the intimate sushi bar, or the outdoor patio. Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse is proud to call St. John’s Town Center home for its newest location.

10206 River Coast Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32246

904.997.6528

SEVEN BRIDGES GRILLE & BREWERY For nearly 20 years Seven Bridges has been serving a wide variety of made from scratch fresh seafood, steaks, chicken, salads and pizza and more. The restaurant features a working brewery headed by our Brew master Aaron Nesbit, a full bar, several championship billiards tables, as well as semi-private dining areas for groups and parties of all sizes. The outdoor heated patio is a favorite gathering spot after a long work day, or even a relaxing day at the beach. On Fridays we have live entertainment and you will always be welcomed by our warm, friendly staff. Come in in for lunch or dinner today and discover why we are a true local favorite!

9735 Gate Parkway North

904.997.1999 7bridgesgrille.com

www.wasabi-steakhouse.com

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

THE VAULT AT 1930 Multidisciplinary Art Gallery, The Vault @ 1930 in historic San Marco is excited to offer an array of fine art and gifts. Shop our collection (contemporary, abstract, impressionist) of original multidimensional art including paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, glass, pottery, and wood by established and emerging artists. The Vault offers additional services including Art consulting and framing. Let the Vault help you find the perfect art for your home or business. Please call us today at 904-398-2890 for all your services.

1930 San Marco Blvd.

904.398.2890

www.thevaultat1930.com

THE SNOB

TERRA GAUCHA

The Snob is an upscale designer clothing and accessories consignment shop. This chic boutique was founded in 1993, incorporated in 1994 and has been offering online shopping to our customers since 1997. The Snob offers a low cost alternative for women desiring upscale fashion clothing, shoes and accessories. All items are authentic and in good quality. Designer lines include Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Gaultier, Burberry, Hermes, Dior and many more.

The Snob would love to resell your designer items!

We will gladly accept your gently loved designer clothing, handbags, shoes, jewelry, and accessories for sale or consignment. We pay cash for Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes and more. Please call us at (904)396-2249, visit The Snob at 1990 San Marco Blvd. (in the heart of San Marco Square) Jacksonville, Fl 32207 or shop online with us at www.theSnob.biz.

Born in the “Pampas” region of Brazil, our concept revolves around “Churrasco” a traditional grilling method using open flames and various cuts of meat. Today, we proudly keep the flame alive using authentic Gaúcho seasonings and natural wood charcoal to roast succulent beef, lamb, poultry and pork. The flavor and juicy result is truly unique and one of the reasons Terra Gaucha is one of the top rated restaurants in Jacksonville. Guests also enjoy a gourmet salad and sides bar featuring only the freshest vegetables and a huge variety of imported cheeses and cold cuts plus a full bar and great wine list. Each guest is transported (no passport required) to “Southern Brazil” where they are pampered from start to finish. Open for lunch Mon - Fri & Sun and dinner 7 nights a week.

BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE

4483 Southside Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32216 1981 San Marco Blvd. (across from the movie theater)

904.396.2249 www.theSnob.biz

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904.551.5920

www.terragauchasteakhouse.com

ALL ALONG THE COAST

©BERTL123 / ISTOCK PHOTO

St. Augustine Lighthouse

St. Augustine’s Historic Charm

There just might be some truth to the Fountain of Youth after all. The oldest city in the U.S. celebrated its 450th birthday in 2015, and it’s never looked better. In preparation for its visit from the king and queen of Spain for the landmark anniversary, some of the city’s most notable buildings got major makeovers. Flagler College, the Government House, the mission, the lighthouse and other significant sites completed renovations totaling more than $20 million. Guests came pouring into a city that’s home to just 13,000 residents.

“All the publicity and attention surrounding St. Augustine’s 450th birthday celebration helped create awareness of the cultural diversity, the WHERE GUEST B OOK

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St. Augustine’s Zip Line Canopy Tour

Guided, 90+ Minute

Where Florida Tourism Began

Zipline Adventure!

Two Towers, Four Sky Bridges, Seven Zip Lines – Family and Active Senior Friendly!

FLORIDA’S FIRST AND FINEST LUXURY HOTEL NOW HOME TO FLAGLER COLLEGE

STEP INSIDE. AND STEP BACK IN TIME. Experience the magic of the Gilded Age. St. Augustine’s Hotel Ponce de Leon, built in 1888 by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, is today home of Flagler College.

Open daily for tours.

Family absolutely loved this adventure. Awesome, professional staff. Safety first, but still 2 hours of fun. Best zipline adventure we’ve ever been on. Thanks guys.

- David M.

Staff was awesome!!! Thoroughly enjoyed our zip line adventure!!!

We will be back!!!

- Jill P.

OldCityZip.com (904) 814-9562 | 2045-B State Rd. 16 (904) 819-6400 • 74 King St. • www.legacy.flagler.edu

On and above the grounds of the St. Augustine Aquarium For up-to-the-minute info on pricing discounts and promotions, visit us on Facebook/ZIPStreamCCA

ALL ALONG THE COAST

Now Serving David Yurman Roberto Coin Ippolita Hearts on Fire Rolex John Hardy Lagos Forevermark Just to Name a Few

Serving Excellence Since 1928 | Member American Gem Society The Shoppes of Ponte Vedra 904.280.1202 Jacksonville, Florida 32207 www.underwoodjewelers.com

©APPALACHIANVIEWS / ISTOCK PHOTO

rich history and natural beauty surrounding the nation’s oldest city,” said Richard Goldman, president and CEO of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitor & Convention Bureau.

St. Augustine isn’t resting on its laurels. In this destination city, the celebration goes on. On any given day, tourists sip sangria from upstairs balconies, and bands play live on the bay and inside St. George Street courtyards. Costumed guides lead spirited ghost tours nightly, and Christmas is celebrated for two whole months as the historic district’s grandest landmarks dazzle in 2 million lights.

St. Augustine has the feel of a European town, with the spirit and style of New Orleans without the bawdiness. Whether it’s admiring the city’s architecture, visiting the historic sites or spending a relaxing day by the ocean, there is much to see and do in this small but dynamic town.

Through the centuries, St. Augustine has reinvented itself time and time again. The Fountain of Youth, once a kitschy roadside attraction, has evolved into a living-history museum and park today. Tales of 18th-century pirates have materialized into a popular bay-front museum for families. The five-star resort built by Henry M. Flagler is now the home of 7,000 college students.

And in the country’s oldest city, the most popular attraction on Trip Advisor, St. Augustine Distillery, is only a few years old.

St. Augustine is proud of its strong foundation, but it continues to add layers of culture, cuisine and history that make it a rich and relevant vacation destination today.

WHERE GUEST B OOK

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In April 1513, explorer Ponce de León landed near St. Augustine, staking a claim for the Spanish crown and christening the land la Florida in honor of his country’s Easter Feast of the Flowers. He sent word back to the old country that Florida was an ideal place for a new colony, and in 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés returned to the very spot and established the first permanent European settlement in the United States, predating Jamestown by 94 years and Plymouth by 107 years.

Over the centuries, St. Augustine was the center of Spanish and then British Colonial life in America and, in the 1880s, a vacation destination with the addition of a railroad and three luxury hotels developed by Henry M. Flagler. The daily rate at the Hotel Ponce de Leon for guests staying the winter season was $39, which equates to $100,000 today.

Among the famous guests were Thomas Edison, John D. Rockefeller, Theodore Roosevelt, Joseph Pulitzer, Mark Twain and Babe Ruth.

Today, the city annually attracts 6 million tourists—families, history buffs and beach bums alike who want to experience the rich history, local flavor and lively atmosphere.

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Historic downtown St. Augustine

Everything from tiny, Spanish bakeries to oceanfront seafood shacks and elegant dining rooms in Victorian mansions are serving up innovative cuisine that’s both thoughtful of the past yet on-trend. Foodies will find a melting pot of Southern, Spanish, Caribbean and Floribbean cuisines featuring local seafood and farm-fresh produce.

After getting a taste of the city, tourists take to the streets with a hopon, hop-off trolley tour or an old-fashioned horse-and-buggy ride. Visitors can choose from a dozen more historic sites to relive the story of St. Augustine, from obvious sites like the massive Castillo de San Marcos and the bustling St. George Street to hidden gems like the ivy-covered Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche. St. Augustine offers a plethora of attractions for children as well, from the country’s original Ripley’s Believe It or Not and first wax museum (Potter’s) to an 1874 lighthouse and the country’s first alligator farm, which is well worth an afternoon’s visit.

And no visitor to Florida can ever forget the beaches. It was, in fact, the beautiful safe harbor and smooth shoreline that drew those first explorers to the area more than 500 years ago. And the rest is history.

(BOTH) ©JON BILOUS / SHUTTERSTOCK

Live oaks along Magnolia Avenue

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

YAMATO

JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR You have found the biggest and best Japanese Steakhouse in St. Augustine!

Let our chefs create your meal right before your eyes today. Only the freshest ingredients make for delicious meals. Whether you prefer USDA Choice Filet & steak, lobster, salmon, chicken, scallops or a combination you won’t find a better presentation or service. Our sushi menu will delight with a great selection of unique rolls, sashimi and even fresh Uni prepared by our expert sushi chefs. If you prefer traditional Japanese dishes we have a great variety to choose from: Tempura Udon, Yaki Udon, Chicken Kastu, Gyoza, Yakitori, Tempura Dinner, Fried Tofu, Bang Bang Chicken or Shrimp & Short Ribs will all satisfy your craving! A full bar also awaits you with signature cocktails and a great sake selection. Special occasion or just a great memorable dinner while here on vacation, make your reservation now! Open 7 days a week–Monday thru Thursday 4:30pm~9:30pm, Friday 4:30~10:00pm, Sat & Sun 12:30~10:00pm.

601 Tingle Court St. Augustine, Florida 32086

904.819.0202

www.yamatostaug.com

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CAFFÉ ANDIAMO Caffé Andiamo is a family owned and managed restaurant that guarantees contemporary Italian flare paired with traditional, fresh ingredients. This accomplished establishment has been a local favorite for over a decade. The Recupito family has a passion for food like no other, the menu is just the beginning. Our extensive wine list features flavors for every palate; from the coasts of Italy to the rolling hills of California. In traditional Italian style our sausage is made by hand in our very own kitchen. Our chefs put in the extra effort to make sure you are guaranteed the freshest flavors! We are proud to bring you the best ingredients, from the brightest vegetables and herbs to our homemade pasta and mozzarella.

Every handmade element in our dishes brings to you the excellence of Italian cuisine.

225 Village Main Street, Ponte Vedra Beach

904.280.2299

www.caffeandiamo-pvb.com

A Mother’s Sanctuary DATING BACK TO THE 1600S AND LOCATED ON THE SACRED GROUNDS OF AMERICA’S FIRST MISSION, OUR LADY OF LA LECHE SHRINE IS DEDICATED TO MOTHERS AND MOTHERS-TO-BE. 48

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JOE VOGAN / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

PARTING SHOT

CELEBRATE GOLF’S

Greatest LEGENDS Special Exhibits | Putting Course Military, Senior, Student & Child Discounts

ARNOLD

PALMER

PLAN YOUR VISIT TODAY. WORLD GOLF VILLAGE | ST. AUGUSTINE, FL worldgolfhalloffame.org

Vo t e d B e s t S e a f o o d an d O v e r all R e s t a ur a n t

TASTE the Life Jacksonville Beach | St. Augustine Beach

SaltLifeFoodShack.com