How To Choose Where To Stay...

Plan Your St. Augustine Stay

There's a lot to consider before you arrive, and I try to make it easier for you with these tips

A little planning makes your vacation easier, and makes it easier for the host to provide you with a great stay. Here are my tips for choosing where to stay, what to pack, and making the most of your visit.

How to Choose Where to Stay

Start with having a good idea how you want to spend your days. Then when looking at property listings, look beyond the photos and check the location, sleeping arrangements, bathrooms, parking, and amenities you’ll actually use. If beach time is a priority, check how you’ll get to the sand—“near the beach” doesn’t always mean an easy walk.

St. Augustine Beach vs. Historic Downtown

Choose the beach if you picture mornings by the ocean, afternoons in the sand, and a more relaxed setting "island time" stay. Choose Historic Downtown if you want to step outside and walk to historic sites, shops, restaurants, and nightlife.

You can enjoy both during your trip because it's typically only a 10 minute drive from St Augustine Beach to historic downtown St Augustine. The question is which you want right outside your door and which you’re happy to drive to visit.

Things to Bring

If you are staying at one of my 2 beachside homes, I supply shampoo, conditioner, soap, and beach chairs (among many other things), so you don’t need to pack those basics. But personal preferences matter. If you’re driving in and have favorite toiletries or beach chairs, bring them along.

Pack sunscreen, swimsuits, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes. There’s also a Publix and a Winn-Dixie on the island for groceries and anything you forget. Carefully check each of my listings to see what I do and do not provide.

Nights of Lights

Nights of Lights fills Historic Downtown with millions of white lights, and you can enjoy the displays on foot for free. Walk along the waterfront and through the Plaza de la Constitución, or book a trolley, boat, or carriage tour for a different view. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a layer for cooler evenings, and reserve restaurants and tours ahead of time.

Be prepared for crowds, heavy traffic, and difficult parking, especially on weekends and around the holidays. Downtown parking can be expensive—the city charged $40 for garage entry after 1 p.m. on designated peak days during the previous season. My suggestion: visit on a weekday if possible, arrive before dusk, and check the city’s current parking and free shuttle information before heading out. Give yourself plenty of extra time so you can enjoy the evening without rushing.