The Southern HQ in Savannah is proving to be a great spot to start weekender exploration along the Atlantic coast. As you know, I've spent many a short trip in Hilton Head, which is barely over an hour away. Last month's run down to Palm Springs was quite doable. Charleston and even Myrtle Beach are easy striking distance. This time it was a dead simple sub-3-hour drive to St. Augustine.
In many ways, St. Augustine reminds me of Savannah or Charleston. It is a city that has embraced its storied history as essential to its appeal to visitors and is deeply dedicated to its preservation. In the case of Savannah and Charleston that history is of the old South. In the case of St. A, it's that of conquistadors and pirates.
Juan Ponce De Leon was the first European to explore the area. Fun fact about De Leon: He was serving as Governor of Puerto Rico when Columbus used his influence with the Spanish monarchs to replace him with one of old Chirstopher's relative. That's what prompted him to head north and explore Florida. Also, he was a wee man. Under five feet tall. There is a statue of him in the center of St. Augustine and people comment that it seems small. Those in the know inform them that it is actual size. Ho, ho, ho. Juan P de L also explored up the Gulf coast, getting as far north Ft. Myers and Manasota. St. A was officially founded in 1565 (decades after Ponce de Leon) in the name of Spain, making it the oldest city in the U.S. What followed was pirates, British takeover, Spanish re-takeover, then eventually U.S. takeover.
Also like Charleston and Savannah there is a sizable pedestrian old town area where the history intermixes with bars and restaurants and quirky shops and arts venues. There is a smallish college wedged firmly into the historic community in all three locales (College of Charleston, Savannah College of Art and Design, Flagler College) and a broadly youthful local base. And B&Bs everywhere.
Some quick notes:
Strong recommendation for the Centennial House B&B, and I don't usually like B&Bs, but the breakfast was tasty, the room comfy, and lots of free hooch. I would definitely stay there again.
There is a place called The Bath Junkie, which is a bath soaps and amenities shop which connects to The Tipsy Duck, a bubble bath themed bar. It is immensely cool. Visit it.
Be sure to visit the St. Augustine Distillery for a Bourbon tour. And the Winery for some more free hooch.
Most places that claim to be artist communities are just a bunch of pretentious retirees doing crafts. St. A is much more legit. Visit the galleries.
Regrets, I have a few. We took a Taste of St. Augustine walking tour and while the tour itself was fine, the food was awful. Oh well, but the real regret is we never got to St. Augustine beach. St. Augustine is on the mainland, just off the coast is a barrier island called Anastasia where the (separate) community of St. Augustine Beach is. Renowned for sit-by-the-water fish restaurants and, of course, the beach. It was a bit chilly for a beach day. Next time for sure.
Rather than hit I-95 immediately, on the way back we took A1A along the coast, through Ponta Verda, as far north as Jacksonville. Beautiful drive. Beautiful beaches and not very crowded. It almost made me want to consider the ocean side for my retirement. Almost. As beautiful as it was, I'm a gulf coastal dude. That aside, I'm really enjoying these Atlantic Coast road trips. I hope there are more in my future.
