St. Johns: Discover the Coast, Nature, and History

St. Johns combines the Atlantic coast, expansive natural areas, and impressive reminders of Florida’s history. Saint Johns County has 42 miles of scenic coastline. In addition, there are beaches, marshlands, forests, dunes, and protected areas where you can enjoy many different kinds of vacation days. Anyone looking for a vacation rental or vacation home can therefore first consider whether they want to focus on the sea, nature experiences, water activities, or culture.

Between the Atlantic Coast and Protected Natural Areas

Anastasia State Park showcases the coastal landscape in many different forms. More than 1,600 acres contain pristine beaches, tidal marshes, maritime hardwood forests, and ancient sand dunes. Salt Run is suitable for canoeing and kayaking and complements a day at the beach with a peaceful perspective on the water.

There are also a variety of destinations inland. Nocatee Preserve is a 2,400-acre nature preserve. On more than 3 miles of unpaved trails, you can walk, jog, mountain bike, bird-watch, take photographs, or go horseback riding. At Faver-Dykes State Park, the 2.6-mile, mostly shaded Hiram-Faver Trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking the Pellicer Flats. Visitors can also explore a nature trail on foot there. Pellicer Creek is designated as a Florida State Canoe Trail.

Water Experiences with Clear Guidelines

At St. Johns County Ocean Pier & Park, a 1,300-foot pier extends into the Atlantic Ocean. The gift shop on the pier sells food, souvenirs, and beach items. Important for planning your day: Swimming and surfing are not permitted within 400 feet of the pier. Anyone who wants to experience the sea and coast there should take this rule into account when choosing activities.

At Guana Dam, one ramp leads to Guana Lake and another to the Guana River. The visitor center at the GTM Research Reserve offers exhibits on natural and cultural history, aquariums, an audiovisual theater or auditorium, and a nature store. The reserve has 10 miles of nature trails and former service roads that lead through hardwood forests, scrubland, and pine flatwoods.

Spanish Forts and African American History

Fort Matanzas National Monument is a rare surviving example of a Spanish fortification of the kind built in Florida during the 18th century. From the dock at the visitor center, a free passenger ferry travels to the fort and back. Free boarding passes are issued at the Fort Matanzas Visitor Center. The visitor center also includes an eight-minute film about the history of the region. To the north, an unpaved sandy path runs for less than a mile through the park’s marshland.

At Anastasia State Park, the Coquina Quarry, an archaeological site, is a reminder that coquina stone was quarried there to build the nearby Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Fort Mose offers another historical perspective: It was founded on March 15, 1738, as the first legally recognized free Black community in what is now the United States. Through interactive exhibits, the museum presents the complete history of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, also known as Fort Mose. Two accessible boardwalks offer opportunities to observe coastal birds and birds of prey.

The Right Starting Point for Your Trip

When looking for accommodation in St. Johns, it is worthwhile to focus on how you want to spend your days. Interests in nature and water lead to different considerations than a stay focused on forts and regional history. Anyone who wants to combine different themes can include coastal destinations, nature preserves, and historic sites in their personal travel plans. This keeps the choice of vacation rental or vacation home oriented toward their own interests without requiring a particular location or set of amenities.

For further guidance, you can also visit the pages on St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Wauchula, Fruit Cove, Saint Johns, Vilano Beach, Citrus and Baker County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Florida.