Vacation rentals in St. Augustine Beach

Teensy St. Augustine Beach — 2.5 square miles, population about 7,000 — located on Anastasia Island, is all about one thing: the beach. And after that: more beaches. The town has focused all its attention on the shores of its eponymous white-sand beach, where you can bike and even drive on designated stretches of hard-packed sand. Here you’ll also find the St. Johns County Ocean Pier, located in a four-acre beachfront park that features a shaded pavilion, volleyball and bocce courts, and a splash park for kids. Many come here to fish, and you can get gear and bait right on the pier, but it’s also a nice place for a leisurely stroll with ocean views. You could spend your whole vacation in idyllic St. Augustine Beach, but venture just a bit beyond its borders and there are even more natural wonders to discover. This town is also a low-key base for trips to nearby St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city.

Expect highs in the 80s Fahrenheit from June through September. During October and November temperatures are closer to 70 degrees, and December through March expect temperatures in the low to high 60s, before they climb back into the mid- to high 70s in May and April. Rain falls all year round, but mostly June through September, so pack an umbrella no matter when you travel, but especially in summer.

Anastasia State Park

Explore more than 1,600 acres of unique coastal wilderness in this oceanfront park that encompasses marshes, ancient sand dunes, and a phenomena called maritime hammocks — stands of coastal forests, shaped by the ocean winds. And, yes, there are pristine white-sand beaches. The park is also home to more than 195 species of birds, including snowy egrets and ospreys, and is an important stopping point for migratory fowl. You can stock up on supplies and snacks at the park’s shop and grill, and a rental store supplies bikes, kayaks, and other equipment.

Vilano Beach

Located on Scenic Byway A1A, the brief 20-minute drive to Vilano Beach is part of this destination’s appeal. As you leave Anastasia Island, you’ll cross the Bridge of Lions, completed in 1927 and guarded by a pair of marble replicas of Rome’s Medici lions. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a lovely, under-the-radar beach with a pier perfect for catching sunsets that also affords views of some of nearby St. Augustine’s historical buildings, such as the Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century fortress.

Crescent Beach

Named for its curved shoreline that hugs the Atlantic Ocean, Crescent Beach is a hidden gem of a white-sand beach that’s rarely crowded. Like other nearby beaches, its hard-packed sand is ideal for biking, walking, and running. You’ll find showers, restrooms, and picnic gazebos here, making it a solid choice for families. Crescent Beach is also an ideal stop on the way to or back from the Fort Matanzas National Monument. The Spanish fort, completed in 1742, is just a six-minute drive from the beach.