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RVing St. Augustine For a Doggone Good Time
By Joel Raeber
St. Augustine, FL was recently selected as one of the top ten dog-friendliest
destinations in North America by the staff of DogFriendly.com, a website devoted
to vacationers who travel with their dogs. If that is not a good enough reason
to point your RV towards America's Oldest City, than how about 17 campgrounds
with over 2,000 RV sites, the World Golf Village, and World Golf Hall of Fame,
42 miles of beaches, dolphins, manatees and nearly 450 years of history?
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Castillo de San Marco is one of
many "dog-friendly" locations
in St.
Augustine according to DogFriendly.com
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The St. Augustine Visitor's Center located adjacent to Castillo de San Marco
has plenty of RV parking and information on all of the area's attractions.
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The
annual list of "Top 10 Dog-Resort Areas to Visit in North America" was compiled
by the website's staff, which evaluated such amenities as the number of quality
dog accommodations, interesting things to do with your dog, and outdoor
restaurants that welcome well-behaved dogs, regardless of size, throughout the
U.S. and Canada. DogFriendly.com also includes an online travel guide to the
United States and Canada for dogs big or small with dog-friendly RV Parks and
campgrounds, ocean beaches, attractions, outdoor restaurants, parks, stores and
other places that allow dogs.
Recommended RV facilities in St. Augustine for
owners and their dogs included Anastasia State Park campground and the KOA
campground in St. Augustine Beach. Dog-friendly attractions recommended in St.
Augustine were the Fountain of Youth, Ghost Walk, Ghostly Encounters Walking
Tour, St. George Street, St. Augustine Transfer Company Carriages and Castillo
de San Marcos. Restaurants where diners could be accompanied by their dogs were
Florida Cracker Café, Habana Village Café, Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille, La
Pentola, Scarlett O'Hara's and The Pizza Garden. A complete listing is available
at www.dogfriendly.com.
Although spring and summer draw the most visitors to
the St. Augustine area, there are great outdoor opportunities throughout the
year. Birders flock here during the autumn months as everything from songbirds
to birds of prey make their way south along their coastal migration routes in
search of warmer haunts for the winter. Thanks to its diverse habitat, location
on migration routes and abundance of remaining wildlands more than 470 verified
species occur throughout Florida. Birds of another featherSnow Bird RVers, make
their way to St. Augustine each fall in search of warmer haunts, too!
June,
July and August offer some of the region's best fishing, most notably surf
casting during evening hours. The water temperature is ideal, drawing swimmers
to the beach, while surfers will find the summer provides some of the year's
best waves as tropical storms roll up the coast.
Founded in 1565, St.
Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European origin in
the United States. Forty-two years before the English colonized Jamestown and
fifty-five years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, the Spanish
established at St. Augustine the nation's first enduring settlement. This past
September the city celebrated its 440th Birthday.
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The Bridge of Lions, on the National Register of Historic Places, connects
downtown St. Augustine to Anastasia Island. The drawbridge opens to allow boats
to pass.
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St. Augustine continues to
thrive and prosper with over four centuries of history that includes Spanish and
English, Greek and Minorcan and Native American influences. RVing visitors to
St. Augustine can delve into the city's history by visiting the many museums
depicting the way of life of early Spanish colonists, or simply enjoy the feel
of history by strolling the narrow old world streets. And, even if history is
not your center of interest, visitors cannot help but appreciate the rich
heritage that makes St. Augustine unique.
English pirates and corsairs
pillaged and burned the town on several occasions in the 17th century. Clashes
between the Spaniards and the British became more frequent when the English
colonies were established in the Carolinas, and later, in Georgia. The Spanish
moved to strengthen their defenses, beginning in 1672, with construction of a
permanent stone fortress. The Castillo de San Marcos was completed late in the
century, just in time to meet an attack by British forces from the Carolinas in
1702. The British troops burned the town and retreated after a two-month siege.
In 1740, General James Oglethorpe, the Governor of the British colony of
Georgia, mounted an even stronger attack. He also failed to take the
fort.
Castillo de San Marco was completed in the late 1600s. It has withstood
pirates, English armies and even an attack from the English colony of
Georgia.
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Traces of the Spanish Colonial Period remain in St. Augustine in the
form of the town plan originally laid out in the late sixteenth century and in
the narrow streets and houses with balconies that are identified with the
architecture introduced by settlers from Spain. However, only the Castillo de
San Marcos, located on what is now Highway A1A in downtown St. Augustine,
survived destruction of the city by invading British forces in 1702.
Florida
joined the Confederacy in 1861 when the Civil War began. But Union troops loyal
to the United States Government occupied St. Augustine and remained in control
of the city throughout the war.
Henry Flagler decided to turn St. Augustine
into a winter resort for wealthy Americans in 1887. His railroad company linked
St. Augustine by rail with the big cities of the east coast. He built a
two-story rail depot to properly receive arriving guests, and two large, ornate
hotels. Flagler was also responsible for building the town's hospital, city hall
and several churches. His architects changed the appearance of St. Augustine,
with building styles that came to characterize the look of cities throughout
Florida.
St. Augustine remained the winter tourist mecca of the United
States for only a few years. The very rich found other parts of Florida to which
they could escape. But, St. Augustine remained a tourist town. When Americans
took to the highways in cars and RVs looking for vacation spots in the 1950s and
60s, St. Augustine became a destination location.
When visiting St.
Augustine, a good first stop for RVers is the St. Augustine/ St. John's County
Visitor's Center located on Castillo Drive near downtown. There is plenty of RV
parking and information on all the area's attractions, museums, accommodations,
restaurants and events. Convenient to the Castillo de San Marcos, Colonial
Spanish Quarter and famed St. George Street, parking is inexpensive and safe.
The Colonial Spanish Quarter is a living history museum. Costumed
interpreters relive a time when St. Augustine was a remote outpost of the
Spanish Empire. The Quarter illustrates the life of Spanish soldiers and their
families in 1740 St. Augustine. Tradesman go about their occupations in
blacksmithing, carpentry, leatherworking, candlemaking and other trades. The
visitor experiences how these families lived, grew, and cooked their food and
tended their livestock. The museum is open daily (904-825-6830).
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In 1887, Henry Flagler decided to turn St. Augustine into a winter resort for
the wealthy. His architects changed the look of the city and defined the
"Florida Look".
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St.
Augustine's beaches continue to beckon visitors to relax to the sounds of the
surf as they have for centuries. According to legend, Spanish explorer Ponce de
Leon came here looking for The Fountain of Youth. Today, from Crescent Beach to
Ponte Vedra, RVing adventurers have more than 40 miles of coastline to explore.
And you may even find your own Fountain of Youth just laying and relaxing on a
beach.
Barrier islands naturally create the island waterway and miles of
gorgeous coastline with many public areas for beach recreation and relaxation.
There is a daily beach access fee of $4 ($20 seasonal fee). No alcohol or glass
is allowed on the beaches, and pets must be kept on a leash. Personal watercraft
vehicles must be launched from area boat ramps and not directly from the
beach.
Crescent Beach is located in the southern area of St. Johns County on
South A1A about 25 minutes from downtown St. Augustine. It is on Anastasia
Island, a wildlife refuge. This beach offers a serene, natural setting and is a
great place for beachcombers. It is one of the most scenic, unspoiled beaches in
Florida. Crescent beach offers boating, diving, fishing and many other
attractions. It is convenient to excellent RV and camping facilities.
St.
Augustine Beach is also located on Anastasia Island. RVers can enjoy the
beaches, the St. Johns County Pier, a playground, pavilion, fishing pier,
volleyball courts, bait shops, fine restaurants, shopping and more. RV camping
areas are located nearby. Vehicles are permitted on the beach within designated
areas.
Anastasia State Recreation Park is a protected bird sanctuary and
consists of 1,700-acres and five miles of beautiful, sandy beaches. It features
swimming, lifeguards, a bath house, hiking, nature trails, a boat ramp, fishing,
a volleyball court, beach equipment rentals such as umbrellas and beach chairs,
canoes, nature trails, grills and picnic areas, concessions, a covered pavilion,
gift shops, playgrounds, and camping. Vehicles are currently prohibited from
driving on the beach.
Many RV sites are just a short walk over the dunes from beautiful beaches
along the Atlantic Ocean.
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The St. Augustine Lighthouse looms above the lagoon at
Anastasia State Park. The light guided sailors who traveled along the coast with
trade goods in earlier times. Today the lighthouse is still an active
aid-to-navigation. But, the old light also watches over the windsurfers who
flock to the Salt Run inlet for the endless breeze.
Vilano Beach is a local
"best-kept secret" with the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier, parasailing and Sea Doo
rentals, and many parks. Surfside Park, 3070 Coastal Hwy, is a great place to
enjoy a picnic shelter, beach access and outside showers. Deep sea fishing boat
and sailboat charters are available. Vehicles are permitted on the beach within
designated areas.
North Beach on A1A just past Vilano Beach and only about
five minutes from downtown St. Augustine offers a quiet oceanside environment
and two campsites along the intracoastal waterway. North Beach features great
seafood restaurants, boat ramps, a picnic area with grills, restrooms and
showers.
South Ponte Vedra Beach is located in northern St. Johns County on
A1A North, about 20 minutes from downtown St. Augustine and just south of Ponte
Vedra. The PGA Tour, the Players Championship, and the Association of Tennis
Professionals Tour are all in Ponte Vedra. However, beach access is limited and
no vehicles are permitted on the beaches.
Guana River State Park, just north
of St. Augustine on A1A North, is a 2,000-acre sanctuary for endangered species.
It features two public beach access facilities, with parking lots and associated
dune crossover boardwalks along a 4.2-mile stretch of otherwise undeveloped
beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, shelling
and other traditional beach activities are enjoyed here. Pets are prohibited on
the beach, but are allowed in other areas of the park on a six-foot, hand held
leash. There are no overnight camping facilities or developed picnic areas.
St. Augustine is also home to the world's ultimate golf destination, World
Golf Village, a total golfing environment, including the World Golf Hall of Fame
(904-940-4123) and two acclaimed championship golf courses.
The World Golf
Village opened in 1997 and quickly became the sport's official showcase. The
vintage photographs depict a time when men played in shirt-and-tie and women in
long dresses twirled parasols under a hot sun. The modern exhibits showcase the
talents of Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam and many others whose skill have
made them great. The World Golf Hall of Fame will induct its Class of 2005 on
November 14. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. on the World Golf Hall of Fame
Lawn and is free and open to the public.
Bring your clubs! Golf courses
designed by four of golf's greatest players highlight a visit to World Golf
Village. Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen lent their nicknames to the first course,
Slammer & Squire. Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, joined forces for the
first time in their architectural careers on the King & Bear course.
The
PGA Tour headquarters is just a few miles away at the Tournament Players Club at
Sawgrass. Renowned designer Pete Dye strategically placed mounds and
amphitheater-type seating in his blueprints in order to accommodate the sport's
growing galleries. The TPC at Sawgrass actually includes three courses -
Stadium, Sawgrass Country Club and The Village, and a pro shop that annually
ranks as one of the best nationwide. These are the courses the pros play, even
without a fan in sight!
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The Old School House was built over 200 years ago. It was constructed of red
cedar and cypress with wooden pegs and handmade nails. |
Deep sea fishing and sportsfishing are popular St.
Augustine activities. You can be trolling or bottom fishing within 40 minutes
from the dock for such diverse sport fish as dolphin, wahoo, tuna, marlin,
sailfish, grouper and snapper. Or you can take a leisurely afternoon cruise on
the Intracoastal Waterway in search of dolphins and manatees, or to get a
glimpse of the abundant local wild bird population.
Visitors can learn about
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins at Marineland of Florida (904-471-1111), just 15
minutes south of St. Augustine on A1A. Originally built in 1938 as the world's
first oceanarium, Marineland recently opened new, remodeled facilities for their
aquatic population, including contemporary dolphin habitats (the Dolphin
Conservation Center at Marineland) and a series of sea life lagoons. The lagoon
expansion showcases additional interactive programs, allows the public even more
opportunities to view the animals, and enables the park to develop exciting
marine research programs.
Founded in 1893, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm
(904-824-3337) is one of Florida's oldest zoological attractions. For over a
century, it has entertained visitors with captive reptiles on Anastasia Island.
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm has inspired popularization of the alligator as
an image for the state.
North of St. Augustine's main sights RVers can find
the Fountain of Youth National Archaeological Park (phone 800/356-8222 -
www.fountainofyouthflorida.com.) and the legendary spring that flows through
folklore. Spanish explorer Ponce de León's search for this elusive stream took
him all over what is today Florida. In the complex is a springhouse, a
planetarium, a Native American village, and exhibits about early Timucuan Indian
inhabitants. The spring has been here for more than 4,000 years and is rich in
iron and sulfur. Since its discovery, people have made pilgrimages here to sip
from the waters. But be prepared, there's a reason sulfur-flavor beverages have
never been popular.
RVers can find 17 campgrounds with over
2,000 RV sites in the
St.
Augustine area.
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RVing visitors will find 17 campground facilities in the
St. Augustine and beaches area, with nearly 2,000 sites equipped with electric
and sewer hook-ups, shower facilities and laundry. RVing facilities include the
Stagecoach RV Park (904-824-2319) located seven miles west of St. Augustine at
2711 County Road 208; St. John's RV Park (904-824-9840), at 2493 State Road 207;
Ocean Grove Camp Resort, (800-342-4007 ) on Anastasia Island at 4225 S. Highway
A1A; Bulow Plantation (800-782-8569) located at Flagler Beach just a short drive
from the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as Anastasia State Recreation Park and
North Beach. Travelers can also pitch a tent and set up camp near the beach or
the intracoastal waterway. For campers who enjoy hiking, there are numerous
nature trails within and adjacent to the campgrounds.
Saint Augustine may
have lost some of its allure as a tourist mecca for the very rich, but it
remains a great RVing destination. And, as one of the top ten dog-friendliest
destinations in North America its sure to get "Two Paws Up" from your canine
RVing companion no matter what the season you visit.
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