🏰🌴 Exploring St. Augustine & Beyond: Spanish Forts, Gardens, Beaches... and Ticks 🐢🦟
- Switching Gears RV Diary
- Apr 28, 2024
- 4 min read
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! 👇💬