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Amelia Island, Florida Travel GuideSouthern charm mingles with exotic flair and live oaks on these huge white sand beaches. One tiny, enchanted island welcomes you to write our next chapter. Island History: FERNANDINA BEACH Amelia Island's Fernandina Beach brings to mind a more graceful bygone era. Recently named one of the "Top 12 Vacation Destinations" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, it is a community that cherishes and preserves its past. A Vibrant Historical District Once a vibrant, Victorian seaport village, charming downtown Fernandina Beach escaped the mass commercialization of the 20th century. It boasts a beautiful 50-block historic district with many original structures dating back to the late 19th century, including many Victorian-style mansions and Victorian cottages. Eclectic Shopping Opportunities Stroll along the postcard-perfect Centre Street and enjoy the diverse shops, galleries, and restaurants. The historic district downtown also boasts many charming bed and breakfast inns. Eight Flags Fernandina Beach is the only city in the United States to have been under the domain of eight different national flags. Learn more about the rich and colorful history of Fernandina Beach through the Amelia Island Museum of History. The Birth of an Industry Fernandina Beach is considered to be the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. The shrimp boats depart the docks most days. As you might expect, the town's most popular annual event is the historic Shrimp Festival. A Natural Escape Fort Clinch, a fort built before the Civil War, is open daily and is perfect for hikes, bird watching, or a bicycle ride down tree-lined roads. The Beaches of Northeast Florida stretch for more than 100 miles along the Atlantic coast from Amelia Island to the Daytona Beach area. The Buccaneer Trail, is located along A1A on the north side of the St. Johns River. Going south, it connects Ft. George Island and Amelia Island. This scenic drives affords beautiful views of the Ft. George Inlet, marshes, and beaches. Being from this area, I believe it to be the prettiest route from Amelia Island to the Jacksonville area. Amelia Island and Fernandina's beaches are about 13 miles long and two-miles wide surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Nassau Sound. It is nearly 10 percent parkland and is edged with 13 miles of beautiful beaches. Little Talbot Island State Park and Big Talbot Island, on A1A, are about four miles north of the Mayport Ferry. They offer 2,500 acres of beautiful beaches and dunes edged by a coastal hammock with live oak, holly, and magnolia. Huguenot Memorial Park, on Heckscher Dr. (A1A) is a popular beach for surfing, windsurfing, fishing, swimming, and camping. A unique part of the A1A, Buccaneer Trail is the Mayport Ferry, which carries cars and pedestrians across the beautiful St. Johns River, from Ft. George Island to Mayport, Florida. Mayport, Florida is an old fishing village and commercial shrimp boat entrance. Mayport Naval Station, the second largest naval port on the East Coast after Norfolk, is the home of aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, and the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kennedy. Naval Station Mayport is closed to the general public and, therefore, not available for tours until further notice. Continuing south on A1A, the picturesque coast through the towns of Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, South Ponte Vedra Beach, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, and on to Anastasia Island, is a wonderful day trip. The (OLD) Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier is no more. A new one is to be built about 12 blocks north of the current site. THE NEW PIER IS READY!! Jacksonville's Beach Communities occupy the land between the Intracoastal waterway and the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, spreading from north to south along Hwy. A1A are Mayport, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach. Guana River State Park, on A1A south of Ponte Vedra, is a 2,000-acre sanctuary for endangered species. Picnic, hike, bike, swim, or fish in this lovely preserve. Pedro Menendez founded St. Augustine, America’s oldest city, in 1565, 52 years after Ponce de Leon discovered La Florida. Anastasia State Recreation Area, off A1A, on Anastasia Island, is a protected bird sanctuary with 1,700 acres of ancient oaks, sweeping sand dunes, five miles of beach and rich tidal marshes. Camping, picnicking, boating, nature trails, fishing, swimming, and wind surfing are all enjoyed in this natural preserve. NOTE: Windsurfing St. Augustine, in Anastasia State Park, provides the opportunity to ride a wave on an ocean kayak. You can also learn to windsurf from a certified professional or take a canoe to explore the wildlife along the banks of Salt Run. You could also just sit back and catch the wind behind a sailboat. Rental rates start at just $10 for one hour of canoeing and go up to $45 for half a day of sailing. Fort Matanzas National Park, on Rattlesnake Island, in the Matanzas River, is 14 miles south of St. Augustine, off of A1A. The Spanish tower was built in 1792, to protect the inlet from invasion by the British or pirates. Free ferry boat service available 9 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. SR A1A, GOLF COURSE INFORMATION AMELIA ISLAND and FERNANDINA BEACH The Golf Club at Amelia Island Holes: 18, Yardage: 6681/5039, Par: 72, Slope: 127/122 Telephone: 904-277-8015,800 245-4224. Trees and water dominate the back nine after a marshy front. There are lots of problems caused by water. There are many bunkers and formerly it was a Summer Beach. Amelia Island Plantation Holes: 45 Amelia Links, Oakmarsh/Oysterbay/Oceanside 9s, Yardage: 3308/3194/2832, Par: 36/36/35. It is a tight and difficult course, with forced carries over marshes. Long Point Club Yardage: 6775/6068, Par: 72 Slope: 127/121. It was ranked in Golf Digest's Top 75 Best Resort Courses. Telephone: (904) 277-5907, 800 874-6878 FERNANDINA BEACH Fernandina Beach Municipal Golf Course, West/South/North 9s Holes: 27, Yardage: 3709/3318/3094, Par: 37/36/35, Telephone: 277-7370. JACKSONVILLE. 
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