St. Johns County hugs the Atlantic coast of Florida in the state’s northeast corner, running south along 42 miles of white sand, lined with beaches and the country’s earliest European-founded city. Separated from the rest of the mainland by the St. Johns River, the county runs from Ponte Vedra Beach in the north, just outside of Jacksonville, to Matanzas State Park in the south, with the largest city, St. Augustine, in the middle. Founded by Spanish colonizers in the 16th century, St. Augustine is the country’s oldest continuously occupied European settlement. Outside of town, the long beaches create a playground for watersports, and small beach towns offer myriad options for various vacation styles.

St. Johns County is part of the Jacksonville metropolitan area. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is just 30 minutes from the northern part of the region, or 50 minutes from St. Augustine. Renting a car from the airport is a good idea, especially if you plan to explore the far reaches of the county. If you’re limiting your stay to St. Augustine, you could take a shuttle or car service into town, as it is a walkable city with a free trolley that connects many of the historic sites and beaches. Air travelers will find more direct options from Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is 90 minutes south of St. Augustine.

Winter through late spring are the peak seasons in St. Johns County. Daytime temperatures are cooler, and the weather is generally drier, with half as many rainy days as in the summer. November, December, and January welcome one of the region’s biggest events, the St. Augustine Nights of Lights festival. Though summer sees more rain, storms are usually short-lived, and the coastal breezes tend to moderate the heat.

Fort Mose Historic State Park

Though nothing remains of the first legally sanctioned, free Black settlement in what would later become the United States, this park sits on the site of the historic fort, alongside a visitor center and an interactive museum telling the story of the emancipated former slaves who lived here. The 24-acre waterfront park also has picnic sites and a boardwalk that provides accessible opportunities for birdwatching.

Colonial Quarter

Watch the history of St. Augustine come to life before your eyes at this two-acre living museum. A combination of historic and replica buildings offer an immersive experience of the city’s previous lives, staffed by period-costumed guides and serving food from previous eras. Interactive exhibits cover five centuries of European settlement, including shipmaking, musket drills, and leatherworking.

Matanzas Inlet Beach

This stunning white sand beach stands out from others along the coast for its sandy nooks, hiking trails, and clear water flowing through the Matanzas Inlet. A short ferry ride away, the 18th-century Fort Matanzas sits on nearby Rattlesnake Island, offering a glimpse of history as well as a short boardwalk through the island’s maritime forest.