Spring on Florida’s Historic Coast means a veritable smorgasbord of events. Whether it’s a day of artful relaxation or delicious discoveries, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches has plenty of fun events for visitors to Spring into action.   If golf is your game, Florida’s Historic Coast is the place to be this spring. The Players Championship recently set records at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra when 2023 defending champion Scottie Scheffler won his second consecutive PLAYERS Championship – the first ever to do so. Golfers can play where the Players play this Spring at TPC Sawgrass or at one of the dozens of championship courses found here. Or, plan to attend one of the wackiest golf tournaments around, the 23^rd Annual Murray Brothers Caddyshack Charity Golf Tournament takes place April 25-26 which includes a weekend of parties, golf, and concerts.   The 2024 Redfish Bash Tournament presented by Ancient City Game Fish Association kicks off on April 19 to see who can catch the largest redfish. Sailors can mark their calendars for St. Augustine Race Week. If two feet on land is more your speed, there are a host of road and trail runs! Check out the Dash to the Dogs 5k and Pup-A-Pawlooza, Vilano Bridge Run 5K and 10K, Spud Run 5K and Cabbage Crawl, and Race to the Taste 5K. For a two-wheeled adventure, the 12^th Annual Spoonbills and Sprockets Cycling Tour starts at Marineland and winds its way through St. Augustine, the Hammock, and Flagler Beach.   Spoonbills are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the 2024 Florida’s Birding & Photo Festival on April 24-28. This jam-packed festival has over 100 events focused on birding and outdoor photography. For those interested in more terrestrial pursuits, the Earth Day Celebration at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park celebrates the symbiotic relationship between us and the Earth.   Music is always flowing on Florida’s Historic Coast, and spring is no exception! The St. Augustine Amphitheatre welcomes big names March through May, including Widespread Panic, Brothers Osborne, REO Speedwagon, and more. The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall has a jam-packed schedule that features acts like Owl City , Maoli, and The Wallflowers, to name a few. For an intimate music experience, hit up The Waterworks for Live from the Waterworks: Peter Rowan and Remedy Tree Duo on May 18.   For folk music aficionados tickets for the return of the iconic April 12-14 Gamble Rogers Folk Festival are still available. The 4^th Annual Lullaby of the Rivers Music Festival takes place April 19-21, and the Roscolusa Songwriters Festival which features songwriters from Nashville performing and sharing the stories behind their music takes place April 27 at Nocatee Center.   The Plein Air Paint Out on Apr 24-28 is a favorite of artists, encouraging painters to venture outdoors and be inspired by the beauty of Florida’s Historic Coast. Artists from Northeast Florida can display and sell their works at the Old Town Art Show on March 23-24. Makers, artisans, and crafters offer their finest products at the Arts & Crafts Show at St. Augustine Beach.   Be inspired by music, art, food, and pageantry at cultural and community festivals. Unidos en la Musica: A Latin America Festival on Saturday, May 4, is a day filled with Latin Music, dance, workshops, art, games, food, libations, and more.   Founders Day: The Founding of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose celebrates an incredible moment in St. Augustine’s History. March 23 marks the 284^th anniversary of Fort Mose, the first legally-sanctioned free Black community in North America.   Explore the best food and wine experiences! The St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival, April 6-7, offers boatloads of the freshest catches in a city that knows its seafood. Celebrate Hastings’ most important crops at the Cabbage, Potato and Bacon Festival on April 27-28. Demonstrations by chefs, a cooking competition, Lawn Mower Racing and the Miss Potato Queen Beauty Pageant are just a few highlights. The best chefs in town go toe-to-toe on April 28 at the Taste of St. Augustine, featuring scrumptious bites from the best restaurants around. And, the St. Augustine Food & Wine Festival, named one of the Top 10 Food and Wine Festivals in Florida by USA TODAY, takes place May 8-12.   St. Augustine has accommodations for every taste and budget. Stay at the Hampton Inn St. Augustine Historic District within walking distance to most of the city’s attractions and site, or choose the Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort for a seaside retreat.  While the luxurious AAA Five-Diamond awarded Ponte Vedra Inn and Club is the ideal escape for beaches, golf, tennis and more.   Click here for a list of more events taking place on Florida's Historic Coast this Spring.   Spring is a time for renewal, so refresh and reset your life with an unforgettable stay on Florida’s Historic Coast. Your perfect trip begins here

Hispanic heritage is one of the pillars of Floridia culture, and nowhere is this better shown off than in the birthplace of Hispanic influence in the United States. On Florida's northern coast, St. Augustine was basking in Spanish influence four decades before the first English settlement was ever established. The Spanish influence began in 1565 when the city was founded by explorer Pedro Menedez de Aviles. Today, visitors to St. Augustine can step back in time and see the evolution of Hispanic influence and culture throughout the city. Some of the most impressive heritage sites include: The Castillo de San Marcos fortress, one of the oldest masonry fortifications on the continent. Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological park, where visitors can actually sip from the legendary fountain. St. Augustine Historic District and Aviles Street, the oldest street in the United States. Fort Matanzas, the fort that protects St. Augustine along the Matanzas River. Mission Nombre De Dios, the first Catholic parish in the United States. Yet St. Augustine's Hispanic influence extends much further than historic landmarks. Modern-day St. Augustine is a veritable spotlight on Hispanic culture. The sounds and flavors of the city are deeply rooted in Latin American traditions. Some of St. Augustine's most iconic restaurants take their culinary direction from Hispanic kitchens. Columbia Restaurant, for example, offers diners a traditional Spanish setting in the city's historic district. The restaurant is more than 100 years old and has a menu of award-winning Spanish and Cuban cuisine. Other top Latin American restaurants in St. Augustine include Asado Life with Argentinian meats, and Leon La Cocina, serving Latin, Colombian, Spanish, and South American dishes. Casa Maya Restaurant for Mexican cuisine, Llama Restaurant highlights Peruvian cuisine, and Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila, for a fusion of Mexican, Latin and Cuban flavors. Also not to be missed is Michael's Tasting Room for a modern take on Latin American staples. Visit St. Augustine during the annual St. Augustine Spanish Food & Wine Festival to celebrate the Spanish influences in the city's most iconic kitchens. The event features tapas, wine and spirits, as well as a Cava Dinner Reception, and a Grand Tasting. More than 100 Spanish Wines are available to taste throughout the three-day event. The celebration of St. Augustine's food and wine continues at the city's premiere culinary event, the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival, held every May. Showcasing culinary, beverage, and culture, the annual event highlights celebrity guest chefs, winemakers, local chefs, artisans, and local craft spirits and beer. Latin American food, music, and dance come together at another beloved annual St. Augustine tradition — Unidos en la Musica: A Latin American Festival. This yearly event celebrates the wide variety of Latin American music. The celebration of St. Augustine's Hispanic heritage continues during its end-of-year Nights of Lights celebration. Locals and visitors love to watch the city light up with millions of tiny white lights, a practice inspired by the Spanish tradition of lighting candles in the windows during the holiday season. Overall, St. Augustine is one of the best cities in the nation for honoring and celebrating the Hispanic and Latin American influence.

  From food festivals, unique adventures and concerts to world-class dining and The PLAYERS® Championship, tickets are now on sale just in time for the holiday gift giving season.   Holidays in St. Augustine l Ponte Vedra are always special, especially during the Annual Nights of Lights Celebration, which takes place through January 31, 2023. Giving the gift of experiences is a great way to share this magical place now and throughout the year.   Here are some great holiday gift giving ideas that will make you the hero of the season:   Tickets to great events! Tickets are now on sale for the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival, recently named “One of Florida’s Top 10 Food & Wine Festivals” by USA Today, May 3-7, 2023. And tickets for the most fan friendly golf tournament in the world, The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass taking place March 7-12, 2023, are now on sale.   There is nothing like the gift of music. Share the gifts of great performers like Parker McCollum, The Avett Brothers, Joe Bonamassa, Styx, Planet Band Camp featuring Falling in Revers, and Mavis Staples to name just a few.   Here are some great gift ideas:  

• Tickets to great performances at the Augustine Amphitheatre and the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, as well as performance at the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series in February are on sale.

 

• Vernardo’s Circus will be performing in St. Augustine through January 1. This exciting show wraps world-class circus acts into a Broadway musical-style format that is called “the American Circus with the heart of a Broadway Show.”

 

• Give the movie lover in your life the All Access or All Film Pass to the January 12-15, 2023, 13^th Annual St. Augustine Film Festival. This festival has grown within the film industry and among film fans as the most historic location for showing unique Indie films.

  The attractions and activities found on Florida’s Historic Coast provide memorable experiences your family will remember for a lifetime.  

• What could be more exciting than ziplining over alligators at Augustine Alligator Farm’s Crocodile Crossing, or visiting one of the other exciting programs like stepping into the habitat of the Galapagos tortoises, or a Rainforest Animal Encounter with Hoffman's Two-toed Sloths.

 

• Give the gift of experiencing the best of St. Augustine by providing a digital Tour Pass for sightseeing tours, ghost tours, admission to historic attractions, museums and more.

  Get them out on the water for unique water experiences:  

• Send them out on a guided kayak tour with Ripple Effect Eco Tours to see and learn about the local waterways and the native wildlife like birds, fish and dolphin that make the pristine waterways here their home.

 

• Share the first-hand experience of a dolphin’s habitat in shallow water with a swim and to become one with their inner dolphin at Marineland Dolphin Adventure through a variety of interactive and in-water programs.

 

• This is brilliant; send them on an exciting bio-luminescence paddle on Guana Lake with GeoTrippin. This other worldly natural phenomenon experience is available throughout the year.

  A real gift of adventure on the water is opportunity is to become certified sailors with the American Sailing Association through St. Augustine Sailing. Affordable Basic Keelboat, Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Cruising sessions are available.   Share the flavors of Florida’s Historic Coast with your friends and family.   Whether dining out through the holidays or planning a dining adventure, many local restaurants offer great incentives for shoppers to share the local dining through bonus gift certificates.  

• Southern Table Hospitality restaurants,  Valley Smoke, Palm Valley Fish Camp, Jullington Creek Fish Camp and Augustine Fish Camp,  provide a $20 bonus gift card for every $100 online purchase, while Salt Life Food Shack and Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille each offer $30 free for every $100 purchase.

 

• The Back 40 Urban Fresh Cafe is offering a free $10 gift card for every $40 gift card purchased.

 

• There are so many great restaurants on Florida’s Historic Coast, consider treating your favorite foodie to one of the tasty food tours offered in St. Augustine. There are several to choose from and something to suite everyone’s palate!

 

• Really special dining experiences include terrace dining at Casa Monica’s Costa Brava Restaurant, a prix fixe dining experience with an exclusive seating at 5:30 or 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.

  And there is nothing like Asado Life where your gift recipient can experience the sights, sounds, and aromas only available from live fire grilling. This unique combination of fire & water takes al fresco dining to a new level.   Romantic stays, family adventures or buddies’ getaways are some of the great gift retreats that will make you the best gift giver ever:  

• Spoil your loved one with a luxurious Wellness Retreat package at Bayfront Marin House B&B which includes two signature robes, chilled champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, locally poured candle, private in-room couples’ massage, and bath products from St. Augustine Soap Company.

 

• Bring the family to enjoy Nights of Lights and stay at the gorgeous Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown and use your Marriott Bonvoy Members 20% savings when booked before January 16, 2023. The Renaissance is one of St. Augustine’s newest hotels and it is conveniently located in the Historic District where lots of family adventures can be had.

 

• Give the guys a golf getaway they will never forget. Book a villa at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa where the amenities of home and plenty of space will give them a great space to relax after a day of play at TPC Sawgrass just next door.

  There are even more ways to share a getaway to Florida’s Historic Coast. Visit www.floridashistoriccoast.com/places-to-stay/deals/ to take advantage of great deals throughout the year.   Click here to access images and video from beautiful Florida's Historic Coast    

by Graham McKenzie With its history, notable buildings, proximity to beautiful seashore, wildlife and food, St Augustine is the destination of choice for many holidaymakers. If you add to this combination a fulsome welcome from almost everybody you encounter together with a collective sense of civic pride, it is hardly surprising it is so popular amongst both domestic and international travellers. From a historical perspective there are a number of significant periods that have moulded St Augustine into what it is today. First up is a Spanish Admiral called Pedro Menéndez de Aviles, who with his fellow Iberians landed in Northern Florida in 1565 and established San Agustin. It is generally recognised as the USA's oldest continually inhabited city. Since that date and for the next couple of hundred years the town was fought over, burnt down, sold and ransacked on a number of occasions by an array of European forces. Choose one from the Brits, French and Spaniards throw into the mix native Americans plus the founding residents, and you have the recipe for aggravation. Out of this however came the magnificent Castillo de San Marcos which was built by the Spanish to put an end to the aggressive incursions. Such was the solidity of the building, the oldest masonry fort in the US, that is has been utilised by various forces right up until the end of the Second World War and is still fascinating to visit today. Next on the historical roller coaster was the money of Henry Flagler. The right-hand man of Rockefeller at Standard Oil, he invested much of his vast fortunes in developing Florida as an accessible destination for other Americans to visit at leisure. In St Augustine this was in the form of two magnificent hotels the Ponce de Leon (now a college and originally named after the Spanish explorer and founder of Florida) and the Hotel Alcazar (now the Lightner Museum).  Around the same time Flagler also purchased one of Americas oldest hotels, the Casa Monica, so he was certainly flashing the cash.  As a historical side point, this hotel also was used to house the police dogs in 1964 when facing the Civil Rights protests led by Martin Luther King. Often referred to as the father of Florida tourism Mr Flagler, with his money and determination, put St Augustine firmly on the map as a hotspot for visitors which has persisted right through to the modern era. The Second World War also changed the way St Augustine and indeed Florida as a whole was perceived. In 1940 four German saboteurs from a U-Boat landed at Ponte Vedra just north of St Augustine with destruction in their plans. Despite being disguised as locals and flush with green backs they were captured very quickly but the incident understandably, given the history of the area, alarmed the authorities who chose to build a barrier island on the approaches to the natural port. Whilst no further incursions occurred this island is now a haven for wildlife with no humans permitted to step on to it. The number of military bases grew throughout the conflict with much infrastructure being built to house both troops but also battle hardware. Post war, much of this was utilised for tourism purposes and also having been based in the more temperate climate of Florida many military personnel decided to stay for life thus increasing the population dramatically in the space of a few years. How does this affect me as a holidaymaker? Well, the history of St Augustine is a crucial factor in what you can see, what you can enjoy and what you sense when you visit. A collective town spirit has been honed over the years by both the ravages of destructive hurricanes but more recently by the Covid-19 pandemic. Examples of this pride can be seen in food, as is the case in much of Florida. I visited three restaurants the Ice Plant, Gas and Catch 27. In all, the adherence to family, local, seasonal and fresh was evident resulting in extremely tasty meals. At my hotel the Marker 8­­ located adjacent and overlooking the Matanzas River, which doubles as the intracoastal, the staff were most welcoming with advice on where to go, what to do and where to eat in the evening. Stewardship of the environment, and indeed the destination as a whole, is crucial to St Augustine's present and future. The pristine nature of coastline and marine areas are an important part of the leisure product offering but in order for this to remain as such strong control is needed to ensure that the pressure to expand both sea traffic and on land development does not jeopardise it. I had the good fortune of having a two-hour trip examining the birdlife along the Matanzas River where it meets the St Augustine inlet and the Atlantic Ocean. It was very rewarding. Ospreys, Oystercatchers and a bald-headed eagle were among so many species spotted. My host Zach McKenna of St Augustine Eco Tours was most informative and detailed some of the past struggles local environmentalists such as himself have faced. Protection of what is special and unique is paramount in the pursuit of nature positive and the ability to continue to attract visitors. Nearby it's possible to indulge in one's golf addiction as the World Golf Hall of Fame is 15 minutes up I-95. Here you can spoil yourself in absorbing the history of the game and the personalities that have made it. This year Tiger Woods will be inaugurated. Hackers like me also have an opportunity to attempt to hole in one on a recreation of the famous 17^th Par 3 Island Hole at nearby TPC Sawgrass where each year the world's best have a go at the real thing. Needless to say, I failed. St Augustine is a great place to visit. Examine the history, inspect the buildings, eat the food, receive the welcome, sail the seas, observe the wildlife and bask in the pride that the people of St Augustine have in their city. Americas oldest! Graham's trip was organised by Visit Florida and Florida's Historic Coast  

Holidays in St. Augustine l Ponte Vedra are always special, not least during the November through January Annual Nights of Lights Celebration. Yet there are numerous less-heralded but equally special experiences to thrill friends and family throughout the year. Check them out: Tickets are now on sale for the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival, recently named "One of Florida's Top 10 Food & Wine Festivals" by USA Today, May 4 - 8, 2022. Tickets to great performances at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, as well as performance at the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series in February are on sale. Share the gifts of great performers like Puddles Pity Party, Gaelic Storm, Emmylou Harris, Styx, and Taj Mahal to name just a few. Save more on local specialties You do not need to wait for the big events to share Florida's Historic Coast with friends and family. Many local restaurants offer incentives for shoppers to share a variety of local dining options through bonus gift certificates. Southern Table Hospitality Restaurants, which include Valley Smoke, Palm Valley Fish Camp, Jullington Creek Fish Camp and St. Augustine Fish Camp Restaurants provide a $20 bonus gift card for every $100 purchase, while Salt Life Food Shack and Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille each offer $30 free for every $100 purchase. Starting December 1, Kingfish Grill will offer an additional $10 card for every $100 in gift cards purchased. Pusser's Caribbean Grille at Ponte Vedra Beach offers a $10 gift card for purchases of $50 or more through December 5. And Prohibition Kitchen offers a $10 free gift card for every $50 card purchased. Be tempted with Terrace Dining at Casa Monica's Costa Brava Restaurant, a prix fixe dining experience with exclusive sittings at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. There are also dozens of other ways to share a getaway to Florida's Historic Coast. Visit www.floridashistoriccoast.com/places-to-stay/deals/ to take advantage of great deals throughout the year. Florida's Historic Coast Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast is home to St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the US and attracts visitors from all over the world to experience its old-world charm, historic landmarks, pristine beaches, and world-class golfing. Visit: www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com

Hispanic Heritage Month continues through mid-October, and what better way to celebrate than visiting St. Augustine, Florida, the place where it all began in North America. St. Augustine was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in 1565, more than 40 years before the first English settlement was established in Jamestown, Virginia. Today, Hispanic influences live in its streets, attractions, hotels, and restaurants. Here are a few ways to explore the impressive Hispanic heritage that makes this one of the most unique cities in North America: Castillo de San Marcos - This imposing fortress is the oldest masonry fortification in North America and it took more than 20 years to build (1672-1695). Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park - The park is the site of America's first colony, settled by Spaniards in 1565. Take a drink from the fountain, hear a Spanish Cannon roar and more. St. Augustine Historic District and Aviles Street - St. Augustine holds a special place in America's history as the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental United States. Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States and is today one of the most interesting places to explore in St. Augustine. Fort Matanzas - This fort guarded St. Augustine's southern river approach. The colonial wars are over, but the monument is still protecting the fort. It was built in 1740. Mission Nombre de Dios - On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Aviles landed and proclaimed this site for Spain and the church. On that date, Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza offered the first Holy Mass and became the first Catholic parish in the nation. Dining During Hispanic Heritage Month many restaurants showcase flavors inspired by Hispanic influences. Some of the local favourites include: Columbia Restaurant - A classic Spanish-style setting with old-world charm and award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine and wine. Michael's Restaurant - A casually elegant dining experience with a celebrated chef, dedicated staff, and passion for exquisite flavours and world-class wines. Llama Restaurant - The unique flavours and cuisine of Peru are evident with every dish. De Leon La Cocina - Their two locations serve Latin, Colombian, Spanish, and South American dishes prepared by a skilled culinary team. Spanish Bakery & Café - Nestled under the Historic Cedar Tree, serving traditional freshly-made baked goods, empanadas, picadillos, pilau, and more.