I loved discovering this hidden gem near St. Augustine. It has two sides along scenic A1A: A historic oak-shaded formal garden on the west side and a beach with fantastically shaped coquina rocks to the east.
Author: Bonnie Gross
Beach horseback riding in Florida: 6 places to check this off your bucket list
If riding a horse through sand and surf is your dream, here are a half dozen places in Florida that can make that dream come true. Riding opportunities are located on both coasts as well as in northern and southern Florida.
Five things to love about Egmont Key in Tampa Bay
Egmont Key is romantic, remote and historic. Located in the mouth of Tampa Bay, accessible only by boat, it is home to an intriguing fort, gopher tortoises, beautiful beaches and more.
Cortez Florida: Charming fishing village, perfect place for classic seafood shack
This authentic Florida fishing village near Bradenton is the perfect place to find classic seafood shacks — open air, casual with the freshest fish.
Hollywood Beach Broadwalk: 10 reasons to take a trip to Old Florida at scenic beach
The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk bike trail is a delightful bike ride. A trip to Old Florida, it has vintage buildings, casual beachfront eateries and great views.
Apalachicola & St. George Island: Delightful town; spectacular beach
Theare are so many things to do in Apalachicola, a charming, walkable small town full of history, good food & shops. It’s 20 minutes from the splendid beach on St. George Island.
Delray Beach: Walkable town with award-winning beach is a great weekend getaway
The beach in Delray Beach is so special that it was one of only three in the US to win the Blue Flag Beach Award in April 2025. Delray makes a great beach getaway because of its charming, downtown and some unusual attractions, like an authentic Japanese garden.
Visit Hillsboro Lighthouse for boat ride, Florida history & great view
A trip to Hillsboro lighthouse, a historic and romantic landmark in Broward County, is a fun day trip that starts with the boat ride to the lighthouse.
De Leon Springs: ‘Pancake park’ is so much more
De Leon Springs, about an hour north of Orlando, is a state park with swimming, kayaking and fantastic history. It’s best known for — of all things — its pancakes. Our advice: spend the day and take in the adjacent Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.
Kayaking the Indian River Lagoon: Island hopping to picnic, even camp
Folks who dream of picnicking or even camping on their own little island can do just that quite easily by kayaking the Indian River Lagoon. There are dozens of spoil islands in the lagoon that make great paddling destinations.
