"St. Augustine - The First Coast" Saint Augustine by grandmaR

Saint Augustine Travel Guide: 704 reviews and 1,918 photos

Bridge of Lions starting to open (yellow light) - Saint Augustine
Bridge of Lions starting to open (yellow light)

This area is called "The First Coast" both because it was the first European settlement in the New World, and because it is the first area that someone comes to in Florida when coming along the coast from the north.

RosalieAnn from the municipal marina office - Saint Augustine

RosalieAnn from the municipal marina office

I first visited St. Augustine with my parents in 1954 right after I got my driver's license. We visited the Castillo and the Oldest School house and various other tourist sites.

On our first visit by boat in December 2000, we anchored under the fort and came 'under fire' early Saturday morning. We left later that morning. This narrative has been put under Davis Shores which is across from the Castillo.

On our way back in the spring of 2001, we went into Oyster Creek marina and stayed for several days to wait out bad weather (also under Davis Shores).

November 2001, we were unsuccessful in anchoring under the fort (which was being renouvated and was not open) , and we stayed for a day in the Muncipal Marina.

Old town streets with horsedrawn carriage - Saint Augustine

Old town streets with horsedrawn carriage

While we did not like the marina, it was very convenient to downtown. We walked around a good bit in town, which was again decorated for Christmas and even walked out on the Bridge of Lions

On our way north in the spring of 2002, we again stayed at Oyster Creek (also under Davis Shores), and came back to Oyster Creek again for Thanksgiving 2003.

Our last visit by boat was in April 2004.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Interesting old city with lots of restaurants
  • Cons:Pretty touristy and not cheap.
  • In a nutshell:Historic city with lots for visiting boaters.
  • Last visit to Saint Augustine: Mar 2002
  • Intro Updated Jun 7, 2005
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Comments (14)

  • Reply
    tony248's Profile Photo
    Feb 5, 2006 at 5:26 PM

    We'll be staying in St.A again this month attending a race in Daytona. Thanks for the tips on the resturants!

  • Reply
    Pawtuxet's Profile Photo
    May 29, 2005 at 4:29 AM

    St.Augustine is worth the visit. Great to walk, or take the horse drawn crriage ... enjoy the old buildings. It's like a mirage in the desert. Special spot.

  • Reply
    Confucius's Profile Photo
    Apr 4, 2005 at 12:18 AM

    I like it when the waitresses at Gypsy Cab Company give you specials orally!

  • Reply
    erikatheskysailor's Profile Photo
    Nov 10, 2004 at 3:04 PM

    Really nice page here... :) I miss St. A very much and hope to go back one day. The Lighthouse was a real treat... I remember only catching glimpses of it through trees and brush as a wee kid... Hopefully next time I can have time to see more.

  • Reply
    M0B1US's Profile Photo
    Jan 20, 2004 at 4:37 PM

    Just walking down memory lane... Great page!

  • Reply
    iandsmith's Profile Photo
    Sep 1, 2003 at 9:09 PM

    Judging by the number of restaurant tips we can see where you spend your time! Nice page.

  • Reply
    patrikske's Profile Photo
    Jul 4, 2003 at 1:46 PM

    Excellent page !

  • Reply
    KimberlyAnn's Profile Photo
    Jun 5, 2003 at 10:36 PM

    I love your view from the bow as you get ready to sail through the bridge.

  • Reply
    kaloz's Profile Photo
    Feb 16, 2003 at 7:11 PM

    $1.50 a session is outrageous. Save the Bridge. Save the Bridge. Save the Bridge.

  • Reply
    palmas57's Profile Photo
    Feb 15, 2003 at 9:38 PM

    Nice pictures, hope to visit again one day. Eva

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