Category: Complete A1A

11. St. Johns County: Ponte Vedra Beach to Vilano Beach

If you like a mix of history, natural beauty, gorgeous architecture, tourist attractions, delicious food, and plenty of quirkiness, then you are going to love St. Johns County, home of America’s OLDEST city—St. Augustine. Our first two counties, Nassau and Duval, provide travelers with much to see and enjoy, but the reputation Florida has a… Continue reading 11. St. Johns County: Ponte Vedra Beach to Vilano Beach

10. Duval County: US 90/Beach Boulevard to Ponte Vedra Beach

For our final stretch of Duval County, we begin where US 90/Beach Boulevard meets Third Street/A1A and continue south to the St. Johns County line and Ponte Vedra Beach. During this stretch, we venture into Jacksonville on both Beach Boulevard and J. Turner Butler Boulevard. With the presence of Florida’s railroad magnate Henry Flagler, a… Continue reading 10. Duval County: US 90/Beach Boulevard to Ponte Vedra Beach

9. Duval County: SR 116 to US 90/Beach Boulevard

In Entry #8 of the Complete A1A journey, we cross the St. Johns River Ferry from Fort George Island onto Mayport and continue until A1A intersects with SR 116/Wonderwood Drive; the intersection allows travelers to visit Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park eastward, and inland to Jacksonville to explore more of the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve.… Continue reading 9. Duval County: SR 116 to US 90/Beach Boulevard

8. Duval County: Mayport to Fort Caroline National Memorial and Beyond

The Complete A1A blog entry #7 brought us into Duval County from Amelia Island, where travel stays within the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve until arriving at the St. Johns River Ferry on Fort George Island. Here, the ONLY ferry service along A1A transports vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians for nearly a mile across the St.… Continue reading 8. Duval County: Mayport to Fort Caroline National Memorial and Beyond

7. Duval County: Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, and St. Johns River Ferry

Welcome to Duuvall! And with that, welcome to the LARGEST city in area in the Continental United States—Jacksonville. And with that, welcome to the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, a 46,000-acre piece of paradise that many outside of Jacksonville—and probably some that live within the county/city limits—do not know exist. To some, Jacksonville is a… Continue reading 7. Duval County: Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, and St. Johns River Ferry

5. Nassau County: Centre Street to Main Beach Park

The fifth entry of the Complete A1A journey begins at Fernandina Beach’s tourist center, Centre Street, just short of 27 miles from A1A’s northern terminus, Callahan. With so much to offer travelers, this blog entry focuses on just under two and a half miles. Centre Street is the main hub of what is the Fernandina… Continue reading 5. Nassau County: Centre Street to Main Beach Park

4. Nassau County (Yulee to Fernandina Beach): a Float on Lofton Creek, and Other Fun Stuff

Before starting Part 4 of the A1A journey south, let’s review. Starting in Callahan, A1A goes in a easterly direction, crossing at two major intersections: I-95 and US 17, and arriving at Yulee, home of the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner, Derrick Henry. Now, the journey continues from US 17 to Amelia Island. Just short of… Continue reading 4. Nassau County (Yulee to Fernandina Beach): a Float on Lofton Creek, and Other Fun Stuff

3. Nassau County (I-95 to US 17): John Muir Ecological Park and Nassau Holiday Motel

Part 3 of the journey on A1A focuses on a short, three-mile stretch from the Florida Citrus Center, adjacent to where A1A crosses under I-95, and where it intersects US 17. You are approaching Yulee, a bedroom community of close to 30,000 residents located 30 miles north of Jacksonville. This second town on A1A (first… Continue reading 3. Nassau County (I-95 to US 17): John Muir Ecological Park and Nassau Holiday Motel

2. Nassau County (Callahan to I-95): Alligator Sighting Ahead

If I leave here tomorrowWould you still remember me?For I must be traveling on now‘Cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see From the northern terminus of A1A, located in Callahan, travelers will travel 15 minutes, musically the length of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird,” before arriving at the I-95 overpass. I mention Lynyrd Skynyrd at… Continue reading 2. Nassau County (Callahan to I-95): Alligator Sighting Ahead

1. Nassau County: Let the Ride Begin

Jimmy Buffett sings this line in “Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season,”: “Strollin’ down the avenue that’s known as A1A.” Let’s go. But for a bit, we will forgo the smell of salty air and the sound of waves gently rubbing the shores while beach chair lounging, margarita in hand. Taking the purist, complete approach… Continue reading 1. Nassau County: Let the Ride Begin