Recreation

A1A provides ample and varied opportunities for recreation throughout the 72 miles of its path in St. Johns and Flagler counties. Whether you are interested in a day of biking, fishing, golfing, boating, surfing, bird watching, diving or snorkeling, the Byway is rich with opportunity. Click the sections below to view details.

Florida celebrates year round with annual festivals and special events for the whole family. Accommodation in both counties include hotels, motels, historic bed & breakfasts. Vacation rentals and campgrounds.

For up to the minute lists of area events and accommodations in St. Johns County, visit www.floridashistoriccoast.com

For information on events and accommodations in Flagler County, click on www.visitflagler.org

St. Johns County Annual Events

ALL YEAR

  • Farmers' Market at the St. Johns County Pier - 904-347-8007
  • Family Fun Hour Nature Stories & Crafts - 904-823-4500
  • First Friday Art Walk - 904-829-0065
  • Flagler College Tours - 904-823-3378
  • Old City Farmers Market - 904-471-1965
  • Uptown Saturday Night - 904-824-9357
  • Friday Fiesta - 904-540-8737
  • Vilano Beach Sunset Celebration - 904-540-0402

JANUARY

  • Winter Wonderland - 904-471-1975
  • Nights of Lights Festival - 800-653-2489
  • Matanzas 5K & Fun Run - 904-315-0628
  • Arbor Day Celebration - 904-825-1004

FEBRUARY

  • No special events

MARCH

  • Lions Club Seafood Festival - 904-825-0850
  • Lighthouse Festival - 904-829-0745
  • Spanish Nightwatch - 904-829-6506 x 233

APRIL

  • Blessing of the Fleet - 904-824-9725
  • Rhythm & Ribs Festival - 904-540-1834
  • Easter Promenade - 904-824-2894
  • St. Augustine Easter Parade - 904-824-7722
  • Spring Arts 7 Crafts Festival - 904-824-2310
  • EPIC Flower & Garden Expo - 904-829-3295
  • Catherdra Festival - 904-824-2806
  • Florida's Birding & Fotofest - 800-653-2489
  • A Taste of St. Augustine/Race to Taste 5K - 904-829-2273
  • Gamble Rogers Festival - 904-794-4163

MAY

  • THE PLAYERS - 904-285-7888
  • Music by the Sea Concert Series - 904-347-8007
  • Taste of St. Augustine Beach - 904-347-8007
  • Concerts in the Plaza - 904-825-1004
  • Friends of A1A Environmental Education Fair / KIDS OCEAN DAY - 904-425-8055

JUNE

  • Music by the Sea Concert Series - 904-347-8007
  • Concerts in the Plaza - 904-825-1004
  • Anastasia State Park's Annual Beach Bash - 904-461-2008
  • Kingbuster 400 Tournament - 904-509-0026

JULY

  • Music by the Sea Concert Series - 904-347-8007
  • Concerts in the Plaza - 904-825-1004
  • World Golf Village Fireworks - 904-940-4123
  • Fourth of July Celebration & Fireworks - 904-825-1004
  • Kingfish Challenge - 904-824-8322

AUGUST

  • Music by the Sea Concert Series - 904-347-8007
  • Concerts in the Plaza - 904-825-1004

SEPTEMBER

  • St. Augustine Birthday Celebration - 904-825-1004
  • Music by the Sea Concert Series - 904-347-8007

OCTOBER

  • Greek Festival - 904-829-0504
  • Colonial Arts 7 Crafts Festival - 904-829-6728
  • St. Augustine Amateur Men's Golf Tournament - 904-209-0350
  • Charity Oktoberfest - 904-390-3278
  • St. Johns County Agricultural Fair - 904-692-4603
  • Ancient City Kids Day - 904-829-2273
  • Crocodile Rock - 904-829-2273

NOVEMBER

  • Spoonbills & Sprockets: A1A Byway Touring Ride - 904-425-8055
  • Great Chowder Debate - 904-829-8646
  • Super Scenic 72 Mile Garage Sale - 904-425-8055
  • Nights of Lights Festival - 904-825-1004
  • Fall Arts & Crafts Festival 904-824-2310
  • Winter Wonderland - 904-471-1965

DECEMBER

  • Winter Wonderland - 904-471-1965
  • Nights of Lights Festival - 904-825-1004
  • St. Augustine Christmas Parade - 904-824-4997
  • Festival of Trees - 904-940-4010
  • British Nightwatch & Grans Illumination - 904-829-5318
  • St. Augustine Beach Surf Illumination - 904-347-8007
  • Christmas Tour of Homes - 904-904-230-2108
  • Luminary Night at the St. Augustine Lighthouse - 904-829-0745
  • Holiday Regatta of Lights - 904-824-9725
  • Holiday Tour of Bed 7 Breakfast Inns - 904-824-9204
  • Beach Blast Off - New Year's Eve Chili Cook-Off - 904-471-5000

Flagler County Annual Events

ALL YEAR

  • Farmers' Market /Friday/Saturday/Sunday at Veteran's Park, Flagler Beach
  • Music in the Park / First Fridays at Veteran's Park in Flagler Beach
  • Palm Coast Gourmet Farmer's Market/Sundays/ in European Village, Palm Coast
  • Salt Air Farmer's Market/Sundays/Marineland Marina
  • Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Monthly Plant Sale

JANUARY

  • Flagler Film Festival - Palm Coast
  • USTA Pro Circuit Men's Futures Tennis Tournament - Palm Coast Tennis Center

FEBRUARY

  • Race of the Runways - Flagler Executive Airport hosted by Rotary Club of Flagler Beach
  • Annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics - Flagler Beach
  • Birds of a Feather Festival - Palm Coast
  • Hot 'N Spicy Festival - Florida Agricultural Museum

MARCH

  • Palm Coast Seafood Festival - Town Center, Palm Coast
  • Cracker Day Rodeo - Flagler County Fairgrounds
  • Up with Down Ride - European Village, Palm Coast
  • Fun Coast Down Syndrome Buddy Walk - Town Center, Palm Coast

APRIL

  • Turtle Fest - Veteran's Park, Flagler Beach
  • Earth Day - Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
  • Cycle Flagler - hosted by Rotary Club of Flagler Beach

MAY

  • Pirate Invasion - Veteran's Park, Flagler Beach
  • Kids Ocean Day/Environmental Education Fair - Friends of A1A
  • Palm Coast Arts Foundation Picnic & Pops - Town Center, Palm Coast
  • Bunnell Festival - Bunnell Coquina City Hall
  • Florida-Georgia United States Pageant - Flagler Auditorium

JUNE

  • Juneteenth Celebration - African American Cultural Center

JULY

  • Fabulous 4th Festival - Flagler Beach
  • Tour de Palm Coast Cycling Event - Waterfront Park/Linear Park, Palm Coast

AUGUST

  • Surfer's for Autism - Veteran's Park, North of Pier, Flagler Beach

SEPTEMBER

  • International Coastal Cleanup - Flagler and St. Johns Counties - Friends of A1A
  • Flagler Restaurant Week hosted by Flagler County Chamber of Commerce
  • United Way Women's United Flagler Power of the Purse Gala - Hammock

OCTOBER

  • Creekside Festival - Princess Place Preserve
  • Fun Coast Bed Races - Flagler Beach
  • Palm Coast International Festival - Town Center, Palm Coast
  • iFish Flagler - hosted by Flagler Homebuilder's Association
  • KIX Country Festival - Flagler County Fairgrounds

 

NOVEMBER

  • Spoonbills & Sprockets Cycling Tour - Friends of A1A
  • Super Scenic 72 Mile Garage Sale- Friends of A1A
  • Flagler County Education Foundation Annual Josh Crews Gala

DECEMBER

  • Dance Around Flagler - Flagler Auditorium
  • Palm Coast Boat Parade - Palm Coast Yacht Club
  • Fantasy Lights - Town Center, Palm Coast hosted by Rotary Club of Flagler County
  • Starlight Parade - Palm Coast
  • Holiday in the Park - Flagler Beach
Most of the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Highway is bicycle friendly, and follows the same path as the vehicle Traveler’s Guide, with paved paths along most of the route. For additional information on biking along the Byway and throughout Florida, visit www.floridabicycle.org . Last year’s biking event, Spoonbills & Sprockets, attracted 88 riders, who could travel from Marineland south through Flagler County along the coast and then travel north to the St. Augustine Beach Pier and return. Bikers can choose from a 100K, 35-mile or 20-mile route along the Byway and take in the sights of Gamble Rogers State Park, Varn Park, Marineland and the St. Augustine Pier. Or they can create their own route and travel the biking trails in the county and state parks, stop to visit the historical sites, browse through the more than 100 art venues along the Byway or stop to dine at the many excellent restaurants – many of which are very casual and those wearing biking clothes are welcome. To assist riders, the Friends of A1A has produced six short videos about biking along the Byway made possible with financial assistance from VISIT FLORIDA. Production assistance is credited to CycleHereMedia , VELOFEST , and Friends of A1A volunteers and fellow cycling enthusiasts. We invite you to view them at: ScenicA1A YouTube
In addition to the nationally recognized Florida Birding Festival, the area lies squarely within some of the prime locations of the Florida Birding Trail. The Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT) is a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. At its core is a network of nearly 500 sites throughout Florida selected for their excellent birdwatching or bird education opportunities. From the Guana Tolomato Reserve to Fort Matanzas National Monument, some of the most celebrated sightings happen on the northeast coast of Florida. For complete information on Birding in Florida, visit www.floridabirdingtrail.com For information on the Florida Birding festival, visit floridasbirdingandphotofest.com , and the St Johns County Audubon Society as well as the Flagler Audubon Society
Boating is a popular pastime on both sides of the Byway. For a complete list of boat ramps in St. Johns County, visit the county site: St Johns County Boat Ramps For Flagler county ramps, visit www.centralfloridafishingreport.com/RegionalInfo/147/Northeast/Flagler .

The Cell Phone Audio Mobi Tour is a self-directed audio tour of special sites along the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway downloaded via Mobile App. The tour is in English and in Spanish, available  24 hours a day, and can be accessed from any telephone or mobile device. The design for cell phone use allows visitors to listen to interesting information while at the designated stops or as you travel via GPS. Each of the stops is identified by a small marker with the stop number. More information about each stop may be accessed below by clicking the web links.

The tour is redesigned for listening and driving or stopping at each location to enhance your experience. We promote safe transportation habits and encourage experiencing the scenery without distraction.

More stops have been added to capture more factoids about nature, history and other traveler information. The Mobi Tour is now accessible by iPod, iPad, Android, and Smart Phones.

Visit the App Store to download our FREE Mobi Tour App from TravelStorys.
Funded in part by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council Tourism and the St. Johns Cultural Council through a grant!

Download the Cell Phone Audio Tour Rack Card By Clicking Here

Select the stop number listed below
or watch for the Mobi Tour Markers while visiting.
     


In St. Johns County, Enjoy Florida's Historic First Coast!

A1A Byway North Gateway – 101 Download
Bird Island Park – 102 Download
Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra – 103 Download
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall – 104 Download
GTM Reserve – 125 Download
Mickler Beach Access – 107 Download
Nease Beachfront Park – 150 Download
Surfside Park – 151 Download
Vilano Beach Pavilion – 152 Download
Vilano Beach Pier & Boardwalk – 154 Download
Vilano Boat Ramp – 155 Download
Davenport Park – 200 Download
Visitor Center & Huguenot Cemetery – 201 Download
St. Augustine Art Assoc - 202 Download NEW
Castillo de San Marcos – 204 Download
Bridge of Lions – 205 Download
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum – 206 Download
St. Augustine Alligator Farm – 207 Download
St. Augustine Amphitheatre – 208 Download
Anastasia State Park – 300 Download
Ron Parker Park – 301 Download
Pope Road Scenic Overlook – 302 Download
Pier Park and Splash Park – 303 Download
Windswept Acres Park – 325 Download
Butler Beach Park E/W – 326 Download
Crescent Beach Park – 327 Download
Fort Matanzas – 328 Download
Matanzas Inlet – 329 Download
Summer Haven – 330 Download

New - Environmental Education Tour in Bird Island Park!

Since the launch of the new Mobile Audio Tour at Bird Island Park, educational experiences are just a button and skip away. Families can download the new Bird Island Park Mobile Audio Tour. Just bring a cell phone, smartphone, iPod or a tablet -- and within seconds you’ll experience the song of the Northern Mockingbird, listen to the legend of the invasive Wild Hog, and hear the menacing rattle of the diamondback rattlesnake -WHILE IN THE PARK. As you progress through the park’s tour sites, you can activate the specific tour message for each stop and discover interesting facts and exciting stories on more than 10 species and habitats native to North Florida.

You may have a sneak peek while you are visiting our website - but we cannot offer nature's alluring mixture of sounds and smells. Get outdoors and go to the park!

Listening to the Bird Island Park Mobile tour is free and easy. Visit Bird Island Park in Ponte Vedra, FL.

Access the audio tour by downloading the free Mobi Tour App from TravelStorys! 

Welcome and Introduction – 500 Download
Upland Hammock and Northern Mockingbird - 501 Download
Wild Hog - 502 Download
Deer -503 Download
Horned Owl - 504 Download
Coastal Dune - 505 Download 
Gopher Tortoise - 506 Download
Brown Pelican and Least Tern - 507 Download
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake - 508 Download
Sea Turtles and Loggerheads - 509 Download
Freshwater Marsh - 510 Download
North American Otter - 511 Download
Ruby Throated Hummingbird - 512 Download
Butterflies - 513 Download
DragonFly - 514 Download
American Alligator - 515 Download
Thank you for visiting - 516 Download

In Flagler County

Welcome and Introduction – 500 Download
Upland Hammock and Northern Mockingbird - 501 Download
Wild Hog - 502 Download
Deer -503 Download
Horned Owl - 504 Download
Coastal Dune - 505 Download
Gopher Tortoise - 506 Download
Brown Pelican and Least Tern - 507 Download
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake - 508 Download
Sea Turtles and Loggerheads - 509 Download
Freshwater Marsh - 510 Download
North American Otter - 511 Download
Ruby Throated Hummingbird - 512 Download
Butterflies - 513 Download
Dragon Fly - 514 Download
American Alligator - 515 Download
Thank you for visiting - 516 Download

The ocean floor of Northeast Florida is littered with myriad ships, fighter planes, concrete culverts, bridges, an entire dry dock, even the press boxes from a football stadium. At one time or another, anything that might attract fish has been dragged, dropped or blown to the sandy bottom. The result: hundreds of artificial reef sites, each one a sweet spot crowded with swarms of silversides, packs of pelagic hunters like amberjack and cobia, and some truly big snapper, grouper, flounder and Atlantic spadefish. The place is silly with lobster, too. For more information, visit: www.coralreeftravel.com/usa-dive-guide/northeast-florida-dive-guide/
Fishing in and around the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway is an angler's dream. Check sites recommended below for up to date catch and size information. Saltwater Fishing Includes:
Inshore-ICW, Tidal Creeks and Flats Red Drum Black Drum Flounder Snook Tarpon Spotted Sea Trout Whiting* Spot* Croaker* Sheepshead Mangrove Snapper Blue Fish Jack Cravelle Cat Fish (Several Varieties) Nearshore and Surf Red Drum Black Drum Flounder Tarpon Whiting Spot Croaker Cobia Spanish Mackeral King Mackeral Florida Pompano Mangrove Snapper Blue Fish Jack Cravelle Cat Fish (Several Varieties) Shark (Several Varieties) Triple Tail Offshore Blue Marlin Sailfish Swordfish White Marlin Tuna Grouper Amberjack Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Cobia Spanish Mackeral King Mackeral Amberjacks Grouper** Snapper** Shark (Several Varieties) Triple Tail Black Sea Bass**
*Occasional, **See Regulations at www.myfwc.com
Freshwater Fishing Includes:
Black Crappie Blue Tilapia Bluegill Butterfly Peacock Bass Largemouth Bass Redbreast Sunfish Redear Sunfish Spotted Sunfish Striped Bass Sunshine Bass Warmouth White Bass
Prior to saltwater fishing, click here, or visit www.myfwc.com for fishing and tide information For freshwater fishing rules and tips, click here, or visit www.takemefishing.org for fishing and tide information. For more information about sports fishing in Flagler County, visit www.fcsportfishing.com For more information about the Flagler Sport fishing Club, visit Ancient City Game Fish Association Please note: Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, Inc. has no affiliation with the recommended sites, and accepts no responsibility for their accuracy.
North Florida and the stretch known as the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway may be the most underrated surf region in the Southeastern U.S. It doesn't have any of the Sunshine State's big-name spots, such as Sebastian Inlet, Spanish House, and Reef Road, and, looking through old surf magazines, you won't find a lot of shots of hometown heroes in their natural surroundings. But this maligned stretch of beach can get as good as anywhere in the Southeast: maybe better. North Florida can claim to have a truly diverse coastal community: several, actually. A string of resort towns, including St. Augustine and Flagler Beach, plus inland traffic from nearby cities and colleges, produces a mix of influences unmatched around the state, as a trip down A1A will clearly show. For seasonal surf and other information, visit www.surfline.com/travel/index.cfm?id=2153

Come visit Florida’s A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway and see why it is referred to as "golf's ultimate destination." Home to the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, it offers golf enthusiasts the chance to reminisce about the exploits of such golf legends as Gene Sarazen, Sam "The Slammer" Sneed, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus. The byway is practically surrounded by world-class golf courses, some of which were personally designed by old pros. When you come to the A1A, enjoy golf the way it was meant to be played: against the backdrop of sun-filled beaches and historic sites.

Start your golf tour of the A1A with a trip to the famous World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine. Plan to spend at least three hours in the museum, which features an IMAX theater and an 18-hole natural grass putting course. Enjoy the feeling of a hickory-shafted putter in your hands as you try out their 1880s-style putting green. The museum always has a new featured exhibit, whether it focuses on women's professional golf or the legendary "golden champion" Jack Nicklaus.

Further south along the Flagler A1A Corridor there are challenging courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Rees Jones, and Gary Player. Ocean Hammock Resort Golf Club at Palm Coast called the "Pebble Beach of the East" by Links Magazine. No golf trip to the A1A would be complete without teeing off along the beautiful eastern coast of Florida. Courses like the Ocean Palm Golf Course at Flagler Beach offer unique glimpses into the natural world with their profound estuarine and ocean vistas. Golf lovers will also find the PGA Tour’s national headquarters along the A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Plan a visit in early May to watch one of the tour’s most famous golf events, the Tournament Player’s Championship. Famous golf pros like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will be there vying for the largest purse of any golf tournament.

The A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway is the perfect weekend getaway for travelers seeking a unique golf experience. As the home of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Player's Championship, and PGA Tour's headquarters, this byway can certainly provide you with a unique and memorable experience. Don't forget to try out the many professional-level courses in the area. So, come to Florida's A1A, and see what all the fuss is about.