Beaches, Golf, and the Outdoors: Things to Do in St. Johns County

Between the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, and centuries of history, St. Johns County offers a lineup of things to do that few places can match. Here's a starting point, whether you're new to the area or just looking for a fresh weekend idea.

Hit the beach

The county's coastline runs from Ponte Vedra Beach in the north down through Vilano Beach and St. Augustine Beach. Anastasia State Park offers dunes, trails, and quieter stretches of sand, while the Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) Research Reserve in Ponte Vedra protects thousands of acres of coastal wilderness for hiking, paddling, and wildlife watching.

Tee it up

Ponte Vedra Beach is synonymous with golf. It's home to TPC Sawgrass and its famous island-green 17th hole, host each spring to THE PLAYERS Championship, and to the PGA TOUR's headquarters. The World Golf Village area near St. Augustine adds even more courses to the mix.

Explore the past

No visit to the area is complete without a walk through historic St. Augustine: the fort, the old city gates, St. George Street, and the lighthouse on Anastasia Island. It's the kind of history you can live nearby for years and still keep discovering.