🏰🌴 Exploring St. Augustine & Beyond: Spanish Forts, Gardens, Beaches... and Ticks 🐢🦟

April 28, 2024A

After cruising Florida’s most scenic loop last week and showcasing 10 must-see stops, we headed farther north along the Atlantic Coast to one of the most historic and unique areas in the state—St. Augustine. 🗺️ While this wasn’t our first time visiting, it’s the kind of place that seems to offer something new each time. And with our base camp nestled in a quiet state park, we had a prime location to explore forts 🏯, gardens 🌸, beaches 🏖️, paddling spots 🛶—and yes, deal with a few of Florida’s less pleasant residents (we’ll get to the 🦟 ticks later).

Here’s what we discovered over a few days near the nation's oldest city. 🇪🇸

⛺ Our Base Camp: Remote, Quiet… and Full of Ticks 🐜🧴

We stayed at Faver-Dykes State Park, a peaceful and wooded campground 🌲 with only 30 sites—so uncrowded, it felt almost eerie 😅. The natural beauty here is incredible, but we quickly learned this park is also tick paradise. 😬

🦟 Within 30 minutes of arriving, I found two Lone Star ticks crawling up my leg. Yikes.

Pro Tip:🧤 Wear long clothes🧼 Use repellents🪞 Check yourself (constantly!)

I now know my skin better than most dermatologists.

🏯 First Stop: Castillo de San Marcos – A Fortress of Coquina 🐚💣

We kicked off our historical tour at the iconic Castillo de San Marcos—the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S., built in 1672 from coquina (aka fossilized seashell limestone).

💥 It absorbed cannonballs instead of crumbling—a true marvel of engineering!

📸 The self-guided tour was full of surprises:

• Costumed interpreters 👨‍🚀

• Historic artifacts 🏺

• A view of the bay that makes you feel like a 1700s lookout 🦅

Whether you’re a history buff or just curious, this stop is unmissable.

⛴️ Next Up: Fort Matanzas – A Free Ferry & Coastal Views 🌊🚤

Just 15 miles south is Fort Matanzas, a more intimate fort built in 1742 to guard the southern inlet into St. Augustine.

✨ Highlights:

• FREE ferry ride to the fort ⛴️

• Gorgeous marsh views 🌾

• Peaceful, uncrowded vibe 🧘‍♀️

We loved how different it felt from Castillo—more relaxed, more remote, just as rich in history.

🌷 Washington Oaks Gardens: A Break from Cannons and Cannibals (Ticks, I Mean) 🐞🌳

In need of serenity, we headed to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park—a stunning spot of formal gardens, shaded walking trails, and gentle vibes.

🏛️ Once the private retreat of RCA founder Owen D. Young, the property is now a state park filled with:

• Rose gardens 🌹

• Giant oaks 🌳

• Peaceful fountains 💦

Entrance: just $5 per vehicle—an absolute steal for the beauty inside.

🐶 River to Sea Preserve: A Dog-Friendly Nature Stop 🐾🌊

Sadie (our pup 🐕) wasn’t allowed in the gardens, so we made it up to her at the River to Sea Preserve.

✅ Dog-friendly

✅ Easy, shady trails 🌿

✅ Natural Florida scenery with ocean breezes 🐚

A perfect place to let your dog explore and breathe in that salty air.

🏘️ Back to St. Augustine – Walking Through 450+ Years of History ⏳🚶‍♂️

No visit is complete without wandering St. Augustine’s historic district—founded in 1565 (!), it predates Jamestown and Plymouth Rock by decades. 😲

🏘️ Highlights:

• Cobblestone streets 🧱

• 17th- and 18th-century architecture 🏛️

• Pirate museums ☠️, art galleries 🎨, and quirky shops

It’s like stepping into a European village with a tropical twist.

🛶 Paddling Anastasia – Tides, Sea Turtles & Oyster Beds 🐢🌊

We spent a day paddling the tidal waters near Anastasia State Park—a coastal experience with ocean-connected waterways, mangroves, and oyster beds. 🦪

What we saw:

🐢 Sea turtles

🦐 Crabs

🪸 Oysters (each filtering 50 gallons/day!)

Watch out for sharp oyster beds—they’re essential to the ecosystem and to keeping your kayak intact!

☀️ A Perfect Beach Day at Anastasia Beach 🏖️🕶️

Later that week, we returned to Anastasia Beach for the perfect chill day:🌤️ Just-right weather🌊 Waves for the Hubs to splash around in🐦 Shorebirds gliding above

After ticks, history, and city walks, it was a blissful reset. 😌

🦟 Let’s Talk Ticks: The Downside of Florida Parks 😖🧼

Back at Faver-Dykes, the tick situation didn’t improve. Despite every precaution, the Lone Star ticks were relentless.

🧐 I now inspect every freckle like it’s a threat. You haven't known paranoia until you mistake a mole for a tick… again.

⚠️ Not a reason to skip Florida parks—but definitely a reason to be hyper-vigilant.

🐊 One Last Paddle: Pellicer Creek… and a Giant Gator 😳🛶

We wrapped up our stay with one final paddle on Pellicer Creek, a winding, calm river through thick marshland.

It was peaceful… until we saw the BIGGEST alligator we’ve ever encountered. 👀That was our cue to turn around.

🛶 Rule #1: The gator always has the right of way.

🧭 Final Thoughts: History, Beauty… and Bugs 🐜🌅

St. Augustine gave us:🏰 Rich history🌸 Garden serenity🏝️ Coastal beauty🦟 A little too much wildlife 😅

It’s one of those places where every corner reveals something new—and where nature humbles you and bites you.

🧳 Next Stop: Hello, Georgia! 🍑

We’re heading up the coast to explore a new state, new adventures, and (hopefully) fewer ticks. 😄

🐞 We’ll also share how we’re dealing with the bug battles (spoiler: Duct tape may be involved).

💬 Have you been to St. Augustine or camped in Florida state parks?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your stories! 👇💬