ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – March 16, 2017 – (HISPANICIZE WIRE) – Cold temperatures, got you feeling down? If shoveling snow off your driveway sounds less appealing than zipping through treetops, cruising across the clear blue waters as you kite surf or experiencing the thrill of flying in an open cockpit biplane, it’s time to take a warm outdoor adventure on Florida’s Historic Coast.
This list of the top five adventures at St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches will quench thrill-seekers’ urge for excitement while experiencing perfect spring-like days on this ultimate outdoor playground.
Deep Water
Day 1: With a fish-filled ocean and dozens of rivers and creeks Florida’s Historic Coast offers some of the world’s best and most varied fishing adventures. Off the coast of St. Augustine in the deep Atlantic waters, the possibilities are so limitless that it can be hard determining what fishing expedition to take on! In late winter avid fishermen delight in the pursuit of the “silver kings of sportfish” – tarpon. You can also reel in sea bass, vermillion snapper, amberjack, and cobia and more, which attracts anglers here year after year. It’s not just a fishing excursion… it’s a wildlife safari. No one goes trawling for these sea creatures better than Sea Love Charters.
Can’t miss: Before heading out to sea, stop in for breakfast at Hot Shot Bakery & Café for a variety of delicious fresh baked goods and aromatic coffee. Located in the heart of downtown, the bakery is also known for its spicy Chocolate Dipped Datil Peppers and award-winning Datil hot sauces and jams, and fresh paninis and wraps.
Fly a Kite
Day 2: Kiteboarding (or kite surfing) may be one of the most exciting sports on the planet! This high-flying sport has made a splash on St. Augustine’s beaches. Matanzas Inlet has become internationally renowned as a kiteboarding mecca. This exhilarating sport combines aspects of surfing, wakeboarding, paragliding, and more. Imagine being able to pull off speed defying wakeboard moves without the assistance of a boat. Ride wherever with only the tranquil sound of the wind in your ears. Jump 30-feet off flat water without a ramp. Surf more waves in one day than you ever thought possible. One day with Ocean Extreme Sports will make you feel invincible, having bested nature’s most powerful elements – water and wind – and carried on to kite another day.
Can’t miss: Unwind at Harry’s listen to live music and savor Cajun, Creole and Southern flavors; infused with a modern twist for some truly tantalizing unique dishes. Enjoy the VooDoo Shrimp sautéed in a creole style garlic herb butter sauce, served with crostinis and Crab & Eggplant Napoleon, panko crusted eggplant stacked with layers of crab meat topped with parmesan basil cream sauce.
Up, up and away!
Day 3: Ask anybody what they’d like their superpower to be and there’s a good chance they’ll say the ability to fly. Aviation was once about freedom and adventure, and the sky-high flying experience offered by St. Augustine Biplane Rides truly recreates a nostalgic high-flying sensation. They provide the rare opportunity to travel back in time to the “Golden Age of Aviation” where you can feel the rush of the wind from the open cockpit. The WACO biplane seats two side-by-side and is a true time machine – the world’s only currently produced luxury 1935 Model, FAA Certified Biplane. Once back on terra firma, take an eco-adventure on the hiking and bike trails of the GTM Research Reserve located along the coast between St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach. There are thousands of acres of salt marsh and mangrove tidal wetlands to explore.
Can’t miss: The Dark Side of the Moon Tour at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is a must for those fascinated by the paranormal. This ghostly tour tells the story of Florida’s first lighthouse and the paranormal experiences of previous guests and staff. Participating ghost hunters even get to climb the lighthouse’s 219 steps for a nighttime view of the area.
Ride and Glide
Day 4: Zip through the treetops and conquer aerial obstacles on The St. Augustine Alligator Farm‘s thrilling zip line attraction, Crocodile Crossing. Across seven acres on two challenging courses with 25 zip lines, you’ll see live alligators and crocodiles right under your toes and red-ruffed lemurs nearly at arm’s length. More than 50 different obstacles will have you flying, climbing, and zooming through the zoo! After gliding, imagine a heart-stopping open-air free-fall, from three stories high! Python Challenge is a 40-foot controlled free fall adventure utilizing the newest technology in adventure challenge courses.
Can’t miss: On your mark, get set, go! And wait… Bon appetite too! Traveling to Florida’s Historic Coast in mid-April? Then come out and Race to the Taste, a 5K rock and roll themed race through Anastasia State Park and ending in St. Augustine’s signature food festival, A Taste of St. Augustine. This annual taste fest will serve up dishes from the area’s best restaurants that will be competing for the prestigious TOStA (Taste of St. Augustine) awards, with categories including Best Ethnic, Best Upscale and Best Dessert, as well as the ever-popular People’s Choice.
Day 5: The waters around Florida’s Historic Coast have played host to many visitors over the centuries – Indians, conquistadors, pirates and fishermen. Today, sea kayakers are at the top of frequent visitor list. With miles and miles of protected water with current and tidal flow to help in any direction, even hard-to-please paddlers will find this to be one of the most kayak-friendly destinations in the US. Marshes border barrier islands all along the coast, and wildlife is abundant. Ripple Effect Eco Tours guides kayakers at numerous spot around the region, which is rich in geological, biological and archeological history. More often than not, during kayak explorations here you will encounter dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, bald eagles, ospreys, herons, egrets, and roseate spoonbills – just to name a few.
Can’t miss: Odd Birds craft cocktail bar in the heart of historic district. Its eclectic atmosphere and range of unusual beer, wine and spirits add to the quirky style of St. Augustine. Odd Birds offers both rare and traditional spirits from all over the world — Cocuy from Venezuela, Mezcal and Ixtabentun from Mexico, Singani from Bolivia, and Birch from Iceland and Aquavit from Scandinavia. The cocktail menu changes every month, the beer list rotates every 15 days, and the wine list includes many unusual selections. Odd Bird’s offers small plates, too. Venezuelan Arepas and Black Hummus with plantain chips are some of the tasty treats available to accompany your perfect cocktail
Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. For more information on events, activities, holiday getaway and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com, become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/ViajaSanAgustin) or Twitter (Twitter.com/ViajaSanAgustin) #NuestraHerencia #ViajaSanAgustin #FloridasHistoricCoast.