Welcome to my Florida travel blog. St. Augustine, Flagler Beach, and Palm Coast are three great places to spend your next getaway or vacation. The first city here, St. Augustine Florida, is nations oldest city. Founded in 1565 by the Spanish, who eventually sold it to the United States in 1821. Charm and distinction best describes this place. Steeped in history, it is displayed everywhere you turn from the buildings to the architecture. In 1883 Henry Flagler, the oil tycoon, came to the city. He was so impressed that he invested heavily in St. Augustine's restoration and development as a winter resort. Flagler contributed some of the cities most spectacular architecture, such as the Alcazar Hotel (now Lightner Museum), the Cordova, and the Ponce de Leon (now Flagler College).
This is an aerial shot of most of the historic district of St. Augustine. This is one special place and the oldest city in the United States. The area was first visited by Ponce de Leon around 1513. The Spanish sold Florida to the U.S. in 1821 and left the city. St. Augustine prospered due to its involvement during the Seminole war of the 1830's. St Augustine was still prospering when the civil war broke out in 1861. Although Florida had seceded from the rest of the Confederacy, the city was occupied by Union troops throughout most of the conflict. When the war ended in 1865, the city was 300 years old. The end of the war brought speculators and land developers to Florida along with the beginnings of the tourist industry. St Augustine history endured wars, plagues, and of course, hurricanes. Many life's were lost in this city.
GHOSTS OF ST. AUGUSTINE
Ghost have been reported and seen in this city for centuries. In buildings and wondering the streets all hours of the late nights and early mornings. No wonder with all the deaths this place has endured, either by natural causes or with horrific tragedies. So, of course, ghost tours are very popular here. The tours visit cemeteries, bed and breakfast lodging, and other fascinating sites. The tours vary, and are walking, riding, and sailing. A Ghostly Experience is a walking tour started in 1994. All these stories have been researched and documented. Also, St. Augustine Ghost Tours is another walking tour. All the stories here have been researched from the Spanish Military Hospital records, and is the only ghost tour that will enter a certified haunted building.
An aerial shot of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and surrounding area on Anastasia Island. Built in 1874, it was the first lighthouse in Florida. It is 165 feet tall.
This is the historic Bridge of Lions connecting St. Augustine with highway A1A. This replaced a wooden toll bridge that was built in 1895, and was opened to traffic in 1927, and connects the downtown historic district with Anastasia Island. In 1982, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This is the historic lighthouse in St. Augustine Beach. Built in 1874, this lighthouse offers you a great view of the area. Don't miss stopping here.
Flagler Beach is a small and quiet beach town. The main attraction here is the world class fishing pier. The length is 806 feet, and it is very tall. The beautiful beach is also what draws people here. Many miles of coastline with waves constantly crashing from the Atlantic Ocean. This is also a very popular area for surfing and skimboarding. The sunrises here are the best time to head to the beach. There are State Parks to visit here. Boating is popular along the intercoastal waterway on the west side of town. And on the weekends there is a farmers market for fresh produce and other items. This is truly a fantastic area to visit. If you seek to slow down and relax, this is truly the place.
Palm Coast is just north and is another small quiet town. While the beach is not quite as open and assessable as Flagler, this area certainly has many beautiful features. There are State Parks here, numerous biking trails, shopping centers, the intercoastal waterway, golfing, nature trails and lush, wooded surroundings. A very relaxing and peaceful area here. Another beautiful area to enjoy.
St. Augustine is the most popular destination in Florida. The city was founded in the 1500's by the Spanish. There are many historical buildings here, with Spanish architecture and culture being prevalent. Sightseeing is the most popular thing to do here. Explore on a sightseeing train that tours the city all day. Don't miss Market Street, the antique stores, Fort Matanzas, right on the river, the City Pier, the wax museum, and many other places of interest. Many great restaurants are here with cozy, lush foliage filled courtyard dining throughout the city. My favorite dining place here is the Columbia Restaurant on Market Street. St. Augustine is a great place to visit and enjoy.
The seagulls on Flagler Beach are always out in force early in the mornings. They are quite a sight and make for great photos.
This is just an incredible sight every morning on Flagler Beach. 
These seagulls are always a lot of fun to watch on the beach every morning
Vilano Beach is on Highway A1A just east of St. Augustine and over a bridge. Very beautiful area. Great marina too.
This is Lightner Museum in St. Augustine. This use to be a hotel and was built in 1887, and was purchased in 1946 by Otto Lightner, a Chicago publisher. Two years later he turned it into a museum for his collectibles that he amassed from around the world. This place is amazing. Don't miss stopping by. A great place to see.
The front of Lightner Museum. This place is like stepping back in time. In the back of the museum, is the world's first indoor swimming pool. (not that anymore) It is now an area that has quaint gift shops complete with antiques and collectibles. Be sure to see the many pictures when the swimming pool was being used when Lightner was a hotel. Also you can still see the watermark on how high the water came up. Very cool.
This heron was just begging to have a photo taken. This is at the Vilano Beach fishing pier. The bridge is A1A connecting St. Augustine and Vilano.
This is the back of the Conch House Restaurant. Low tide of course. This is a great place to eat. Get here early and you can sit at a tiki hut. The marina is right next door. This is on A1A right before you arrive in St. Augustine. A relaxing stop.
This is Magnolia Avenue, usually voted one of the most scenic streets in the United States year after year in St. Augustine. Don't miss driving down here. Slow of course.
Does this look like a restaurant? Well it is. This is Saltwater Cowboy's in St. Augustine Beach. This is a very popular restaurant in the area. If you do not arrive early here there will be a wait. Every day. Saltwater Cowboy's has been around 35 years. Trip Advisor members rated this place pretty high on average. Fodor's gave this restaurant high marks on 1-12-09. This restaurant is certainly worth stopping by when you are in the area. Visit their website here.
This is the best way to get around and see St. Augustine. I have been seeing the city since the late 60's on this sightseeing train. Step off and reboard at over 20 sights throughout this historic city. The train comes back to your stop every 20 minutes. The only way and best way to see St. Augustine. For more info and prices, visit the Sightseeing Trains website here.
The sandpipers are always out on Flagler Beach early in the mornings.
This is the main entrance to the Conch House Restaurant in St. Augustine. This is a really great place to see and dine out. Located at 57 Comares Avenue, just south of the Bridge of Lions going into St. Augustine right on A1A. This is a great place for lunch. An excellent seafood menu and lots of really cold draft beer. A marina is next door.
This is Washington Oaks State Park in Palm Coast on highway A1A. It is right on the intercoastal waterway. A beautiful place to picnic and visit.
This is part of the beach right behind Marineland on A1A in Palm Coast. A great place to relax in total privacy.
This is the beach behind Marineland in Palm Coast. A beautiful place to hang out for the day. Very private.
Egret footprints on Flagler Beach. I was lucky to get this photo. Early morning is always the best time to see this.
The beach behind Marineland. The waves are just incredible at this spot.
This is a very nice and secluded part of the beach behind Marineland.
A real tourist who will never get tired of visiting Flagler Beach.....me.
A nice view of the Flagler Beach Pier during high tide. This area is truly spectacular.
Another view of the Flagler Beach Pier. People love to hang out here all day. The pelicans always fly up and down the coastline in groups of usually 6-12. A beautiful place to be any time of the day.
Flagler Beach. Pull your car over and walk right down to the beach. This is one beautiful area.
The waves are usually very powerful in Flagler Beach, and they can sometimes look like soap suds. Unbelievable.
A shot is looking towards the entrance of Flagler Beach Pier looking back at the Pier Restaurant, a very popular place for breakfast, but get there early for a window table. They open at 7am every day.
Another view of Flagler Beach and the pier looking south. A really great place to visit that you will never get tired of.
A nature boardwalk on the end of South Flagler Avenue. A beautiful area here. The boardwalk winds through a canopy of trees and marshland with a gazebo halfway down, and ends on the intercoastal waterway with a nice dock for fishing. A great place to spend part of your day.
Thanks for looking at my little blog. I hope you enjoyed it and maybe can tell your friends. Take care.
