Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Relaxing in style on the porch of a Victorian B&B on Amelia Island's
postcard-pretty
Fernandina Beach
.
2
Exploring the unique Spanish-colonial architecture, fascinating museums
and centuries of history in
St Augustine
, America's oldest city.
3
Discovering how big-city bravado and beachside mellow coexist harmoni-
ously at the
Jacksonville area beaches
.
4
Hiking, canoeing and camping your way through pristine, wildlife-dense
5
Rocking out in
Gainesville
,
home of Florida's largest university and funky
young thangs, cheap eats and cool bars.
6
Marveling at the cool azure waters of
Poe Springs
,
De Leon Springs
and
7
Driving along the sand of the 'world's most famous beach' then catching
some NASCAR and downing some beer at
Daytona Beach
.
ATLANTIC COAST
In 1902 speed catapulted Daytona Beach into the national psyche when playboy race-car
drivers Ransom Olds (of Oldsmobile fame) and Alexander Winston waged a high-profile
race along its unusually hard-packed sandy shore, reaching an unheard of top speed of
57mph. One year later, the Florida East Coast Automobile Association was founded, soon
followed by the first Winter Speed Carnival - predecessor to today's Daytona 500. For the
next 30 years Daytona Beach was where speed records were set and shattered. Stock-car
racing came into vogue during the late 1930s; 'Race Weeks' packed beaches with fans and
in 1947 NASCAR was born. (see the boxed text,
Click here
)
Fortunately, there's a lot more to see and experience along this wonderful stretch of
coastline than just the high-octane hype of Daytona. State Rd A1A heads north alongside
the Atlantic Ocean through mellow Flagler Beach and on to historic St Augustine, where a
one- or two-night sojourn is highly recommended. The road continues through affluent
Ponte Vedra (headquarters of the PGA golf tour) and mega-urban Jacksonville's delight-
fully low-key strip of beaches, all the way to charming Amelia Island and the Flor-
