A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway

State: Florida
Length: 72 miles / 115.9 km
Time to Allow: 2 hours will provide you with plenty of Florida sunshine.

Visit the east coast of Florida on the 72 miles long A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway. The route sits close to the Georgia border and the city of Jacksonville, promising adventure, warm weather, and the ocean. If you want breathtaking views of the ocean along with wildlife and history, this is the byway for you and your family as it’s one of the oldest continually occupied areas in the continental states. While you can drive the route in just two hours, a few days will allow you to fully enjoy the byway.

In the south, the byway picks up just south of Flagler Beach, right on the ocean. Campers and RVers will enjoy a few nights’ stays at the Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area. While in town, visit the Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park for a beautiful walk through history. Get more history in town at the Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church and the local historical museum. Enjoy time outside at the Betty Steflik Memorial Preserve to see local wildlife too.

Moving north, you will find Beverly Beach before heading to the larger town of Marineland. Just off the coast is the town of Palm Coast, right next to the Crescent Lake that turns into the St. Johns River. Marineland is a must with the option to swim with dolphins or visit the Sea Turtles at the hospital at Whitney Lab! Visit some preserves, the ocean, the beach, and the marina. Add in a couple of state parks and the Fort Matanzas National Monument for a must-stop location.

Before moving on, stay at the Lodge at Hammock Beach for an epic pool adventure. Then, dine at Captain’s BBQ or visit a local sushi bar. Several adorable souvenir shops in town will fill your suitcase along with some shopping malls too. Next, find the forested area of the beach near some incredible mansion for a special little haven with oak trees draped in moss. St. Augustine Beach is next after passing several more beautiful beaches. Here you will find the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument for a trip to the past. Finally, a few smaller museums in town make for a lovely afternoon.

Several wonderful hotels are in town, including some five-star options like the Castillo Real Ascend Hotel with incredible decor and ocean view rooms. Also, the hotel offers a pool perfect for adults and children, along with a sauna and a steam room. Grab some American seafood at the Sunset Grill overlooking the ocean.

Follow the coast along the Tolomato River, enjoying the views at Vilano Beach and several others. Stay at the Anastasia State Park in a tent, RV, or cabin for a luxurious night out in nature with your furry family member in tow. End the byway at Ponte Vedra Beach with a day at the ocean with wide-open spaces. Make sure to see the Guana Tomato National Reserve and the William Bartram Scenic and Historic trail too. From here, you can visit Jacksonville for a few nights in the city with tons of zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, museums, and even a historic plantation.

More Florida Byways

You can check out additional Byways in Florida by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the Florida Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.