When I used to think of colonial America, I thought of Jamestown, Virginia. Now, I think of St. Augustine, Florida. Ponce De Leon discovered the St. Augustine area of Florida in 1513 on his quest for the legendary Fountain of Youth. The city of St. Augustine, officially founded on September 8, 1565, predates Jamestown by forty-two years and boasts being the oldest continually occupied city in the United States. Visiting St. Augustine is like taking a step back in time.
Colonial history comes to life in this historic town. The narrow brick streets, Spanish architecture, and old cemeteries beckon visitors back to a time much different from our own. Just outside the city entrance, off the Matanzas River sits the fort, Castillo de San Marcos. The San Marcos is a seventeenth-century Spanish stone fortress made to withstand fire and artillery power. The fort stood the test of time and is now a U.S National Park, which preserves the Castillo de San Marcos as an important part of early American history.
Downtown St. Augustine is home to many other historical sites and places of religious significance. The first Catholic mass celebrated in the New World occurred in St. Augustine on the day of town’s founding. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, constructed in 1797, stands as a dominating feature of the downtown’s main square. The stone archway over Aviles Street marks the entrance to the oldest street in the nation. A short distance from the historic downtown lives the “Old Senator,” a live oak tree over six hundred years old. Tour guides jokingly suggest the tree got its nickname from being “shady and crooked.” From military and religious history to old streets and ancient trees, St. Augustine offers thrills for any history lover. Shown in photos below are the nave of the Cathedral Basilica and Aviles Street.
Learning about colonial history is enriching, but this is Florida, and everyone wants to dig their toes in the sand and get a tan at the beach. St. Augustine sits right off of Florida’s eastern coast, nestled an hour south of Jacksonville and an hour north of Daytona Beach. The beaches are quiet, family-friendly and less frequented with spring break crowds than Daytona. On the north end of the beach sits St. John’s Country Ocean Pier, perfect for a scenery walk or fishing. Just behind the pier is a public complex with a playground, splash pad, and bocce ball and volleyball courts. Each week, in the pier parking lot, locals hold a farmer’s market selling coastal-inspired crafts, jewelry, and local foods. The beach in St Augustine provides the perfect location to relax and enjoy the ocean without overwhelming crowds, although you may run into some seagulls.
Restaurants are plentiful along the beachside A1A, a road running along the coastline in St. Augustine Beach. Burritos Works Taco Shop, both a local and visitor’s favorite, serves up creative surf and turf tacos, nachos and burritos. The Kookaburra, an Australian inspired coffee shop, makes a delicious latte called the ‘Honey Badger.’ It has been eight weeks since my trip to St. Augustine and I still can’t get that Kookaburra latte off my mind.
Florida, second only to California, remains a popular state to visit because of the year-round warmth, sunshine and beaches, but St. Augustine reminds visitors that Florida holds a rich history as well. St. Augustine is an ideal place for a vacation because of its relaxed atmosphere, friendly locals, fresh seafood, spacious beaches, and historical tours. I encountered multiple people who claimed they moved to St. Augustine after vacationing there and falling in love with the city. I did that once too, but that’s a story for another day.
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Elizabeth Canright is a long-time resident of Colorado Springs and a wife and mom of three. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and reading literature.
